I’m sure you, like me, have your own personal favorites when it comes to fruit desserts. I, for one, can never turn down desserts with strawberries, especially if whipped cream is involved. The same can be said for peaches and bananas. However, my love for fruit knows no bounds, and if faced with a table full of different fruity desserts, I would probably grab a bit of every last one.

One of the great parts about summer: with so many graduation parties, wedding showers, reunions, and other gatherings, you get the opportunity to bake all kinds of fruit desserts, even pitting them against one another for the ultimate summertime showdown — at least as far as desserts go. Which fruit do you think would be the biggest crowd-pleaser among your friends and family?

We’ve got some wonderful fruity dessert ideas to help get you started!

In this corner, we’ve got…Bananas! This light and refreshing recipe for Bananas ‘n’ Cream Squares would be perfect as an afternoon weekend treat, especially if you’re spending time catching up with family or friends.

And in this corner, we’ve got… Cherries! This Cherry Nut Cobbler would be wonderful after dinner, just as the sun starts to set and the fireflies come out.

And in this corner we have…Apricots AND Pineapple! We’re double-teaming it with this Apricot Pineapple Braid, sure to make your kitchen smell like your favorite bakery.

And in this corner, we’ve got…Apples AND Blueberries! It’s a 1-2 “crunch” with this Apple-Blueberry Dessert that’s tasty morning, noon, and night!

And finally we have…the Fruit Medley! Why should you have to choose between your favorite fruit desserts when you can make this mega fruit treat: Fruit Pizza!

Let us know! What’s your favorite fruit to use in a dessert?

I know I wouldn’t!

And with Memorial Day, 4th of July, and countless summer parties around the corner, the world of appetizers and munchies is probably a good place to start.

Classic dip recipes are a summer favorite – I mean, when was the last time you went to a BBQ or other summer gathering and you didn’t see one of those seven-layer Mexican dips with the beans, sour cream, and cheese … or a creamy onion dip sitting next to a bowl of potato chips? Perhaps the better question is: When was the last time you were able to resist ‘em?

Well, the Mr. Food Test Kitchen is here to save the day!

We’ve come up with 5 lighter versions of your favorite classic dip recipes. And the best part is, you won’t miss the flavor one bit. These lighter dip recipes are just as creamy and delicious as their original versions.

Click here for lighter recipes for spinach and artichoke dip, classic chip dip, crab dip, and more!

Do you have a favorite lighter party recipe you love to make during the summer? Share with us below!

In our latest free cookbook, we feature ground beef recipes for everyone in the family from the nutrition-savvy to picky children to busy parents. No matter where you fit in, you’re bound to find a recipe with ground beef that you’re going to love.

Everyone’s looking for dinner recipes that they can return to again and again. I’m sure all of you have them. Who wouldn’t want to add a few more to their arsenal? These easy ground beef recipes are just what you’ve been looking for to turn dinner time into family time. These recipes are guaranteed to fill you up and leave you smiling. Wondering what kinds of recipes we’ve got in store?

We start out with our favorite guilt-free recipes; many of them even include nutritional information! Wouldn’t you love to cook up some Chunky Sloppy Joes or Homestyle Meatloaf just like your mom or grandma used to make? We even provide you with a bonus how-to, designed to help you reduce the fat content in all of your ground beef recipes. How incredible is that!

It’s always difficult to get the kids to eat anything if it didn’t come straight from a fast food restaurant. We’re sure they’re going to change their tune when they see the “fun” recipes we have to offer! Put your spaghetti dinner inside of an ice cream glass for one of our favorites: Spaghetti Sundae. Who says recipes for ground beef can’t be a whole lot of fun! You’re going to have to pry them away if you cook up some of our can’t-stop Cheesy Burger Fries. You’ll need to make an extra batch for yourself!

If there are any recipes in our ground beef cookbook that are going to become instant staples, then they’re bound to come from our section on ground beef casserole recipes. From traditional hits like Baked Goulash to more contemporary fare such as our Pizza Casserole, you’re sure to find a recipe you simply can’t turn down!

For busy on-the-go cooks like you, we’ve put our signature “Quick & Easy” spin on our favorite recipes with ground beef. You’ll be amazed at our 10 Minute Stroganoff — no, that wasn’t a type; it’s really only ten minutes! For comfort food that’s good all year, you’ll need to check out our easy chili recipes with ground beef, such as our heart-warming, Cincinnati Chili. You’ll never want to get out of your pajamas: it’s just that cozy!

With our Test Kitchen’s triple-tested guarantee, there’s no way you’re going to come out of this empty-handed. So grab a plate, and dive right in! These dishes from Ground Beef Recipes: 25 Quick & Easy Recipes for Ground Beef are ready to fill your house with the smell of “OOH IT’S SO GOOD!!”

Have you ever been so hungry in the afternoon between meals that you got home at dinnertime and ate everything in sight? We’ve all been there!

Protein bars are an easy solution to prevent that from happening. There are a lot of other great sources of lean protein out there, sure – but foods like chicken breast, eggs, and beans don’t work so well for on-the-go snacking. Protein bars are easy enough to take with you anywhere, but they are not all created equally.

First of all, even though I work here at Mr. Food, I’m not going to lie: I was skeptical about our new Grab ‘n’ Go Protein Bars when I first heard about them. I do the whole “small meals throughout the day” thing to keep my metabolism going and so I’ve tried just about every protein bar on the market.

The thing you have to be careful of with protein bars is that if they’re low in one ingredient, like sugar, they’re often extra-high in another, like fat maybe, to compensate for better taste. And then, speaking of taste, most of protein bars that have great stats across the board taste like cardboard. It can be tricky to find a protein bar that has good nutritional info stats and great taste.

I immediately examined the back of the wrapper to see the stats before I even tasted it. I was impressed! Generally, I look for protein bars with 3 grams of saturated fat or less, a good amount of protein, and a nice helping of fiber (another good nutrient to help you feel full). Our Grab ‘n’ Go bars passed my test with flying colors!

Without further ado, here are the stats for the Mr. Food Grab ‘n’ Go Protein Bars:

Serving Size: 1 bar
Calories: 170, Fat Cal. 40
Total Fat: 4.5g (7% DV), Sat. Fat 3g (15% DV), Trans Fat 0g
Cholesterol: 0mg
Sodium: 115mg (5% DV)
Total Carbohydrates: 25g (8% DV)
Fiber: 5g (20% DV)
Sugars: 15g
Protein: 10g (19%DV)
Percent Daily Values (DV) are based on a 2,000 calorie diet.

And, I was even happier once I tasted the bar. It’s chocolate-y and rich-tasting, almost like a candy bar. For more information or to place an order, click here. I will point out that there is a pretty high shipping cost – that’s because we have to ship the bars in a refrigerator pack so the chocolate doesn’t melt.

Here’s some feedback from a happy customer on Facebook:

“OMG!!! I have received my bars and they are the best protein snack bars I have ever eaten. I see the comments on the cost of shipping but the overall cost per bar is only about $3. Any health food store will charge you about the same price for a lesser quality bar. The decadent chocolate flavor is absolutely fantastic and Mr. Food has done it again – Ooh it’s so good!!!” —Bill M.

We hope you’ll try our new protein bars, so that you can enjoy our signature “OOH IT’S SO GOOD!!” even when you’re on-the-go!

Do you have a favorite healthy snack you want to share? Tell us below in the comments! And how ’bout this … how ’bout we giveaway a box of our new Grab ‘n’ Go Protein Bars to one lucky commenter? Tell us your own favorite snack in the comments for a chance to win!

This giveaway closes Monday, June 4 at 12am EST — so be sure to enter now!

Our latest eCookbook, Easy-Breezy Brunch: 26 Easy Brunch Recipes for Any Occasion, is your invitation to the brunch club. From starters to main entrees to beverages and even dessert, this is one eBook you aren’t going to want to miss. Great breakfast recipes can be hard to find so don’t let this one get away from you!

Everyone’s looking to watch their budget, and we don’t blame you. You want to pull off a special Mother’s Day for the amazing women in your life, but you can’t afford anything too pricey. There’s nothing more valuable than quality family time. The bells and whistles and extravagant gifts aren’t necessary because you can show your loved ones just how much you care simply by spending time together, cooking a delicious Sunday brunch buffet, and sharing a good laugh.

We’ll help you get your day started on the right foot with some easy starters the whole family can enjoy. I’m sure there’s at least one bacon lover in your family that will love our Bacon Lover’s Deviled Eggs. Smoky bacon pieces paired with eggs? Sounds like the perfect start to breakfast and brunch! If you’re feeling a little adventurous, you won’t want to miss out on our Crab Puffs. We wish we thought of adding seafood to our brunch menu sooner!

We’ve gotten to the good part now: the main course! I’m quite excited to try the Bed and Breakfast Blueberry Pancakes. It makes me think of a quaint, cozy cottage away from the hustle and bustle of the working world. My favorite part about this new eCookbook is how I have so many ideas for my next breakfast-for-dinner adventure like with the breakfast casserole: French Toast Loaf.

The best part of breakfast is how many delicious ways there are to accompany your main course. There’s nothing like a bowl of fresh fruit to get your morning started right which is why I’m particularly excited for the country feel of the Country Fruit Stand Salad. Wash it down with one of our Sunny Mimosas, and you’ll have a vacation set up right in your own home!

The best part of this cookbook though? The dessert section. Yes, there is in fact a dessert section in a breakfast cookbook. I’m pretty thrilled about it. The Orange Almond Coffee Cake is a great addition for anyone with a hankering for something a little sweeter. You could even make a batch of the Chocolate Chip Scones to munch on all day long! You may have to start adding dessert to every breakfast.

Our Test Kitchen has triple-tested all of the recipes in Easy-Breezy Brunch: 26 Easy Brunch Recipes for Any Occasion to make sure you’re completely prepared for your weekend. Your vacation time starts now, and it’s full of that signature “OOH IT’S SO GOOD!!”

You’d be surprised at how easy it is to throw a Kentucky Derby Party. You can make it as over-the-top or as simple as you like. Here at Mr. Food, we’re all about keeping it super-simple, so that’s where we’re going with this idea today. Yep – planning a Kentucky Derby viewing party can be easy-as-pie … if you get your friends and family involved in the cooking and host a potluck!

How to Host a Kentucky Derby Party: Potluck Edition!

1. Food: Assign each person a different Kentucky Derby-themed dish to bring. I’ve included my favorites from the Mr. Food Test Kitchen below. As the host, you can whip up a pitcher of mint juleps, and leave the food to the rest of the party-goers. This year, the official whiskey for the Kentucky Derby Mint Julep is Early Times, so be sure to pick up a bottle (or two!) of that.
2. Attire: Tell your guests to wear their very best Kentucky Derby get-ups! For ladies, this means a festive Kentucky Derby hat is in order. Tell the ladies coming to the party to unleash their inner Southern Belle! The men should think Southern-preppy, wearing anything from khakis to seersucker.
3. Fun: Host your party the same day as the Derby, so that you can tune in and watch it together on TV! And why not add an extra element of fun to the party by adding by making a contest out of it? Have everyone vote on who brought the best dish, and then award the winner a dozen red roses – signifying the 554 red roses the real winner of the Derby is awarded each year.

So…whenever we’ve shared Mr. Food recipes using the option of cooking on a grill pan…I sheepishly admit, I didn’t have one, and either skipped it or made it in a skillet (which is not the same result, believe me…I know now). But a few months ago, I was out of town visiting family and we took a stroll through an outlet mall where we stopped off at a cookware store and there was a display of an assortment of non-stick grill pans, and on a whim, I bought one. Well, better late than never.

This pan… has gotten more use in the few months I’ve owned it, then any other pan I have! I don’t know how I managed without it. If you have one…you know. If you don’t…well…don’t wait us long as me.

I started with some of our personal favorites like filet mignons and burgers and chicken and salmon – and everything cooked to perfection over the pan’s ridges….leaving the same grill marks our outdoor grill leaves. Plus, no extra oils or butter were needed. What a healthy way to cook! Made me feel better already! And who doesn’t love a non-stick pan…especially if it also goes in the dishwasher! Couldn’t ask for more!! And since we live in a very warm climate…even though we have our grill…sometimes we just don’t even want to go out in the heat to cook…so now my husband’s off the hook, and I do it stove top.

Last week we had the family over and I made slider burgers and I used my favorite Mr. Food recipe for Hula Sliders which I like because they’ve got such an unexpected tropical-tasting topping, they’re really special! I’m also a huge grilled cheese fan, so there isn’t a week that goes by without me making one like our Ultimate Grilled Cheese Sandwich.

Well, I guess I could go on and on about how I love my grill pan…but, I’d really like to hear from all of you…maybe you could share some of your favorite recipes with us on Facebook,  and maybe our Test Kitchen will check ’em out and we’ll even share one of the best ones on TV one day! So stayed tuned!

Our latest eCookbook, Simply Deli Salads: 28 Best Recipes for Potato Salad, Macaroni Salad & More, has deli salads galore — the perfect dish to bring to your next party! This book has it all, from potato salad recipes to pasta salads to coleslaw and everything in between. Don’t show up to the party with that mystery mush you picked up at the grocery store on your way over; bring something you know is going to be a hit.

The Mr. Food Test Kitchen philosophy of “Quick & Easy” cooking shows in this jam-packed recipe collection filled with over two dozen of your favorite party foods. Plus, as a bonus, they make great side dishes! Your kids are probably tired of the same food in their lunch bag everyday, so why not mix it up with a freshly prepared deli salad. You’ll love how healthy it is while your kids will love how yummy it is: win win!

Potato salads are one dish that’s never going to go out of style! They’re designed to fill you up so you have enough energy for the entire day. With a snap of your fingers, you’ll be able to make one of our favorite dishes: Presto Potato Salad. You’ll wonder what to do with all that extra time on your hands! For a little extra kick in flavor, why not whip up our Taco Potato Salad. It’s a great way to disguise those veggies the kids refuse to eat.

We all need a little more pasta in our diet which is why the pasta salad selection is sure to turn some heads. If you’re looking for a macaroni salad recipe that will please even the pickiest of eaters, nothing works better than our Basic Macaroni Salad. You won’t even need to bother bringing a container with to the party because there won’t be any leftovers! For a refreshing twist, give our Pasta Fruit Salad a go! It’s amazing how adding in a bit of fruit creates such a fantastic summer recipe!

If you show up with one of these coleslaw dishes, you’re sure to be the hit of the party! Add in a bit of that home-cooking charm with our Country Coleslaw, a delicious complement to a juicy burger and an ear of corn! You can even inject a little sunshine into your day with a cheerful helping of our Sunny Slaw!

We’ve added a bit of a nautical twist to our deli salads, ideal for a country club outing, with our seafood deli salads. Reminisce along the beach with our delightful Seashell Salad. It uses shell-shaped pasta — how ingenious is that! No one would dare defy the power of tortellini which is why our Crab Tortellini Salad is such a fitting way to introduce seafood to your cooking repertoire.

Our Test Kitchen has triple-tested all of the recipes in Simply Deli Salads: 28 Best Recipes for Potato Salad, Macaroni Salad & More to make sure you’re well-armed to feed the masses. From potatoes to seafood, you’re ready to conquer the most selective of your foodie friends with dishes they won’t be able to refuse. These easy deli salad recipes are the best way to get to that “OOH IT’S SO GOOD!!”

Thanks to the Mr. Food Test Kitchen, we have plenty of copycat recipes from restaurants that are just as good, if not better than, the real thing. One of my favorite go-to’s is Fast Chicken Fajitas. I just make a package of yellow rice on the side and dinner is served – and we didn’t have to wait for a table.

We also love Asian restaurants, so two of my faves for those flavors are Kung Pao Beef and Asian Sesame Tuna. They are both so quick and easy; it’s almost silly not to make them at home. And let’s be honest, how much money are we saving by cooking at home?

My son’s favorite restaurant dish has to be Caesar Salad. What I typically do with this recipe is toss some grilled chicken on top and make a complete meal out of it.

Last, but not least, we can’t forget about dessert. The one my family asks for over and over again is Key Lime Pie. If this is a dessert you enjoy, you must try this recipe.

Restaurant recipes at home will save you time and money. Just make sure you don’t forget to tip your chef! What is your favorite copycat recipe to make at home?

I guess it’s obvious to you by now that I like cheese, but just in case you didn’t get the memo – I absolutely love cheese!

And truthfully, it’s hard to say what I prefer between a grilled cheese sandwich and good, old-fashioned macaroni and cheese. Has anyone ever tried putting mac and cheese between two slices of buttered bread and making a grilled mac ‘n’ cheese sandwich? Because this sounds like something I could get behind.

There’s something a little bit more melty about a grilled cheese sandwich that may steal my heart away from mac and cheese. Also, there’s no question that a grilled cheese sandwich is faster and easier to make. For now, especially being that April is National Grilled Cheese Month, let’s go with grilled cheese as my favorite, shall we?

We have a lot of great grilled cheese sandwich recipes, but there’s no doubt that you should start with our Ultimate Grilled Cheese Sandwich. This is the holy grail when it comes to grilled cheese at the Mr. Food Test Kitchen! And it’s got a secret ingredient that will forever change your life if you’ve never used it: Cream cheese! Yep, mix that with some mayo and then add your cheeses to it, and you will indeed experience the ultimate in rich and cheesy goodness.

The best part about this recipe, and really any grilled cheese sandwich recipe, is that you can easily make it your own by using your own favorite cheeses. Why not try a spicy pepper Jack cheese, or an extra-creamy piece of Brie? If you like classic American, by all means, stick with that!

More great grilled cheese ideas…

Caprese-Style Grilled Cheese: The colorful and fresh ingredients we’d find in an Italian caprese salad are layered and melted together in this novel Caprese-Style Grilled Cheese sandwich that’s sure to become a favorite at your house!

Monte Cristo Sandwiches: This easy recipe for melty skillet turkey, ham and cheese Monte Cristo Sandwiches is the perfect one for a quick weeknight supper of grilled sandwiches.

Grilled Goat Cheese Sandwiches: You’ll love the combination of tangy goat cheese and sweet caramelized onions in this grown-up grilled cheese sandwich. Grilled Goat Cheese Sandwiches make for an exciting change-of-pace option.

Italian Antipasto Grilled Cheese: This Italian-Antipasto Grilled Cheese sandwich has all the tastes of a favorite Italian restaurant-style salad, in a warmy melty sandwich.

Grilled Pizza Sandwiches: Move over grilled cheese, and say hello to Grilled Pizza Sandwiches – they’re a pepperoni lover’s dream! You’ll want to buy a loaf of sturdy bread to contain all the ooey-gooey pizza mixture.

Easy Arepas: What’s an arepa? It’s melted cheese sandwiched between two crispy corn pancakes -kind of like the Mexican version of a grilled cheese sandwich. Well, I finally figured out an easy way to prepare them!

Grilled Chicken & Cheese Sandwiches: We’ve heartied this grilled cheese sandwich up with flavorful pre-cooked rotisserie chicken and a few other tasty textures and tastes. Grilled Chicken ‘n’ Cheese Sandwiches turn a simple sandwich into a filling meal.

How do you like to make your grilled cheese? Can’t wait to hear your answers!