Up the ante on this summer’s lemonade stand by offering a super-powered alternative: lemonade-flavored mini cupcakes. Sparkling white sugar makes them glitter, but strips of lemon peel, crushed lemon drop candies, a sprinkling of grated lemon peel, yellow sprinkles, small pieces of lemon or edible flower petals are other fun choices to use as garnishes.

It only takes a handful of ingredients to make this dish pop with color and flavor. And it provides the perfect opportunity to use the last of the basil from your garden to whiz up a homemade pesto in the food processor to use in place of the purchased one.

You’ll score with this updated potato salad, which, instead of being tossed, features seven layers: hard-cooked eggs, celery, potatoes, red onions, green onions, sunflower seeds and an ultra-creamy dressing that gets its fluffy texture from beaten eggs.

Managing editor Kathleen Childers travels with her family from Minnesota to northern New York to make maple syrup, a tradition that’s endured since the 1830s.

You’ll love this unique way to present acorn squash. The individual portions will tempt guests with a custard that’s sweet, creamy and filled with fall spices. If desired, garnish them with chopped fresh parsley.

The piquant rémoulade sauce, flavored by cornichons, launches this childhood favorite into adulthood.

Order kabobs in Afghanistan, Pakistan or northern India, and you’ll be served some version of this soulful chutney.

This beautiful summer dish is essentially a sandwich without bread. Serve it on torn leaves of butterhead lettuce topped with a dollop of pesto or a drizzle of olive oil, and salt and pepper.

This classic, packed with Granny Smith apples, gets updated with grated lemon peel and a sprinkling of cinnamon sugar over the crust.

Sweet, spicy and vinegary, this hearty sandwich features the best of American barbecue flavor in a fraction of the time. That's because it uses quick-cooking pork tenderloin. Serve it in the Carolina style on buns with creamy coleslaw on the side or spooned onto the sandwich. For even more authentic flavor, toss hickory chips on the fire.