Planning a summer party? Quick, easy dishes that are sure to be a hit

We all love getting together with family and friends during the summer, but we want to enjoy their company and not spend the entire time cooking. Mark Hagen from Taste of Home joins Studio A for easy, impressive eats.

Melon-Mango Salsa

"After tasting a similar salsa on top of fresh fish at a fishing tournament, I went home and tried to duplicate it. This is my surprising result! It's terrific with cinnamon pita chips." —Sylvia Fincham, New Bern, North Carolina

Prep/Total Time: 20 min

1 cup finely chopped cantaloupe
1 cup finely chopped honeydew
1 cup finely chopped peeled mango
1/2 cup chopped cucumber
1/2 cup finely chopped sweet red pepper
1 green onion, thinly sliced
3 tablespoons lemon juice
1/4 teaspoon ground cinnamon
1/4 teaspoon cayenne pepper
Cinnamon sugar baked pita chips

In a large bowl, combine the first six ingredients. Combine the lemon juice, cinnamon and cayenne. Pour over fruit mixture; toss to coat. Chill until serving. Serve with pita chips. Yield: 4 cups.

Nutrition Facts: 1/4 cup (calculated without pita chips) equals 17 calories, trace fat (trace saturated fat), 0 cholesterol, 3 mg sodium, 4 g carbohydrate, 1 g fiber, trace protein. Diabetic Exchange: Free food.

Big Sandwich

One look at this impressive sandwich and your family and friends will know their taste buds are in for a treat. I have served it many times for casual lunches and suppers. The tall layers prompt people to ask how they're supposed to eat it. I encourage them to simply dig in and enjoy! -Margaret Yost, Tipp City, Ohio

Prep: 20 min. Bake: 15 min.

1 unsliced round loaf of bread (8 inches)
2 tablespoons horseradish
1/2 pound thinly sliced cooked roast beef
2 tablespoons prepared mustard
1/2 pound thinly sliced fully cooked ham or turkey
4 slices Swiss cheese
2 tablespoons mayonnaise
1 small tomato, thinly sliced
6 bacon strips, cooked
4 slices American cheese
1 small onion, thinly sliced
1/4 cup butter, melted
1 tablespoon sesame seeds
1/2 teaspoon onion salt

Slice bread horizontally into five equal layers. Spread bottom layer with horseradish; top with roast beef. Place the next slice bread over beef; spread with mustard and top with ham or turkey and Swiss cheese. Add the next slice of bread; spread with mayonnaise and top with tomato and bacon. Add the next slice o bread; top with American cheese and onion. Cover with remaining bread. Combine butter, sesame seeds and onion salt; brush over top and sides of loaf. Place on a baking sheet; loosely tent with heavy-duty foil. Bake at 400° for 15-20 minutes or until heated through. Carefully slice into 8 wedges. Yield: 8 servings.

Nutrition Facts: 1 serving (1 each) equals 408 calories, 21 g fat (10 g saturated fat), 66 mg cholesterol, 1,162 mg sodium, 32 g carbohydrate, 2 g fiber, 22 g protein.

Lime & Gin Coconut Macaroons

I took these lime and coconut macaroons to our annual cookie exchange, where we name a queen. I won the crown! — Milissa Kirkpatrick, Angel Fire, New Mexico

Prep: 20 min. Bake: 15 min./batch + cooling

4 egg whites
2/3 cup sugar
3 tablespoons gin
1-1/2 teaspoons grated lime peel
1/4 teaspoon salt
1/4 teaspoon almond extract
1 package (14 ounces) flaked coconut
1/2 cup all-purpose flour
8 ounces white baking chocolate, melted

Preheat oven to 350°. In a small bowl, whisk the first six ingredients until blended. In a large bowl, toss coconut with flour; stir in egg white mixture.
Drop by tablespoonfuls 2 in. apart onto greased baking sheets. Bake 15-18 minutes or until tops are light brown. Remove from pans to wire racks to cool completely.
Dip bottoms of macaroons into melted chocolate, allowing excess to drip off. Place on waxed paper; let stand until set. Store in an airtight container. Yield: 2-1/2 dozen.

Nutrition Facts: 1 cookie equals 140 calories, 7 g fat (6 g saturated fat), 2 mg cholesterol, 70 mg sodium, 17 g carbohydrate, 1 g fiber, 2 g protein.