Around the Web: July 4th and Best American Recipes

Here’s what’s keeping me occupied on my way out to the beach for fireworks, barbecuing, and all-around relaxation. Have a great 4th!

I put a twist on 8 all-American favorites for LearnVest, from burgers to potato salad.

Not far afield, First We Feast published my curated collection of the Best Classic American Recipes on the Entire Internet, presented so that you never have to suffer subpar meatloaf or cakey brownies from a badly Googled recipe again.

In the competition to make the best red, white, and blue dessert, TheKitchn’s July 4th trifle gets my vote.

Indoor s’mores, which take the form of chocolate bark.

How to tell if your avocado is ripe without cutting into it, long before a hard avocado thwarts your guacamole making.

And, this visually poetic formula for what to do with spring and summer vegetables lingering in your fridge. (I made a clean-out-the-fridge version last night.)