If you work in an office, there’s a good chance that a potluck is in your near future… especially with the 4th of July holiday just a few days away. And, with the potluck comes the dilemma of what to bring. Classics like potato salad or baked beans are always popular on the potluck table. But if you want to mix things up a bit — without stressing out over whether or not your dish will be a hit; it WILL! — try one of these easy, summery crowd-pleasers:

Sides & Savories

Creamy Macaroni Salad – this version from marthastewart.com is lighter and tastier, than the traditional one made with loads of mayonnaise; the fresh herbs and lemon juice give it a bright, sunny taste

Heirloom Tomato Salad – the fun colors and shapes of heirloom tomatoes make for a great looking dish; the light flavors of fresh herbs and vinegar make for a great tasting dish!

Asian Sesame Cucumber Salad – sweet crunchy cucumbers with a kick of heat from chili pepper flakes are the perfect counterpoint to any heartier dishes on the table

Main Dishes

Red, White and Blue Antipasti Plate – from the grocery or deli, assemble some:
sliced cured meats and roasted red pepper strips (the reds), baguette slices and fresh cheeses like mozzarella and pecorino (the whites), blue cheese, blueberries or fresh purple grapes (the blues)

Stuffed Party Pinwheels – fun to make and easy to eat; but the out-of-the-ordinary curry and/or garlic and herb flavoring take these beyond the standard lunchtime wraps

Pesto Lasagna – bursting with the summery taste of basil; make this ahead and serve at room temperature for a real crowd-pleaser

Sweets

Blueberry Walnut Tart – Can be made a day ahead, looks perfectly festive, and the light creamy filling and toasty walnut and graham cracker crust complement the sweetness of the blueberries without being too heavy

Seasonal Fruit Salad – Prepare a pretty platter of the freshest fruits from the farm stand — a mixture of berries and cantaloupe chunks are perfect — and dress it up with a drizzle of local honey and chiffonade of mint leaves

When all else fails, grab a freshly-made fruit pie from one of the many fantastic local Amish bakeries! Have a fun and festive Fourth!