You could host a party and serve just dips, and no one would be sad about it . Salsa and guacamole are obvious choices, and Melissa Clark’s hot oyster and crab dip is a little fancy and very filling. If you haven’t heard of cowboy caviar (also known as Texas caviar or Dixie caviar), then you’ve been missing out. At its simplest, it’s a bowl of black-eyed peas dressed with a vinegary dressing, but we’ve added black beans, fresh corn and tomatoes to ours. Serve it with a big bowl of tortilla chips, and watch it disappear. If figs are finally in season where you are, stuff them with goat cheese for an appetizer that couldn’t be easier. And no one would turn their nose up at fried pickles with ranch dipping sauce.

Finally, have you tried the most popular soup of the summer? Julia Moskin’s best gazpacho, we mean. You could serve little shot glasses of it for guests to sip while the grill heats up.