Barbecue party food

It’s red, white and barbecue this weekend on Food Network as all your favorite stars gear up for July 4th. Kick things off with Ree Drummond as she whips up 16-minute meals that are perfect for hot days, including Pasta with Pesto and Peas and juicy Mediterranean chicken skewers. Then, head down to the Hudson Valley as Nancy Fuller puts on a party for her friends, complete with summertime favorites like Corn Dog Bites and a Fresh Pasta Salad with Basil Vinaigrette.

Next, the cast of The Kitchen is showing you how to cook up their Independence Day favorites, including Sunny’s Classic Barbecue Chicken and three easy sundae sauces for the best Fourth of July dessert bar. After that, Valerie Bertinelli is throwing a festive girls’ party, complete with a fix-it-yourself catfish taco bar and refreshing watermelon cocktails. Round the morning off with Patricia Heaton as she hosts an all-American backyard barbecue, including Americana staples like Double-Loaded Cheeseburgers and sweet and savory Baked Beans with Apples and Onions.

Then on Sunday, head down to Flavortown Market for a summer-themed episode of Guy’s Grocery Games, where the contestants will have to cook an all-American meal featuring varied items from the store’s star-spangled sample tables. Next, the finalists on Food Network Star will have to team up and throw a festive tiki party, complete with an island-inspired menu. After that, Guy’s digging in at the best barbecue spots in America on Diners, Drive-Ins and Dives.

The Pioneer Woman: 16-Minute Meals: Summer

Ree Drummond is cooking up four sensational, summery 16-minute meals. First, Cilantro Lime Salmon is sunshine on a plate, and then there’s a 16-Minute Greek Feast to Go with juicy Mediterranean chicken skewers, crunchy Greek salad, red-pepper hummus and olives. Then, a perfect Pasta with Pesto and Peas for a mother-daughter dinner and super-fast Zucchini Noodles for a solo summertime supper.

Saturday 10a|9c

Nancy Fuller is hosting a summer party at her home for all her friends. Her favorite band is playing, and she’s bringing all the food: Corn Dog Bites with Strong Yellow Mustard, a Summer Shrimp Boil, Fresh Pasta Salad with Basil Vinaigrette, Butterscotch- and Chocolate-Dipped Frozen Bananas with Candied Nuts and Sprinkles, and to drink, Boozy Bloody Mary Beer!

Saturday 10:30a|9:30c

The Kitchen takes summer parties to the next level with amazing entertaining tips and winning recipes, including Sunny Anderson’s Classic Barbecue Chicken and three easy sundae sauces for the best Fourth of July dessert bar. Katherine Alford of Food Network Kitchen joins to answer all of your summer party questions, and chef and restaurateur Melba Wilson throws the ultimate summer party with a crab boil. Plus, Geoffrey Zakarian does a mojito makeover, and two favorite games are mashed up into the ultimate crowd-pleaser — backyard water-slide bowling!

Saturday 11a|10c

Valerie Bertinelli is reprising an all-girls meet-and-greet tradition to introduce two of her friends, singer Michelle Branch and lawyer Krissy Lefebvre, to some of her other gal pals, writer Kelly Oxford and actress Melissa Peterman. She plans a stress-free summertime bash starting with a trip to her local market, then prepares a menu featuring queso fundido, a fix-it-yourself catfish taco bar, jalapeno ranch slaw and a delicious watermelon cocktail!

Saturday 12|11c

Patricia Heaton is kicking off the summer with an all-American backyard barbecue. On the menu are Double-Loaded Cheeseburgers, sweet and savory Baked Beans with Apples and Onions, and a light and refreshing Shandy, Two Ways. But don’t forget dessert — it doesn’t get more Americana than Peanut Butter and Jelly Brownies!

Saturday 12:30|11:30c

The fireworks are flying as four chefs compete in Guy Fieri’s Summer Games for a once-in-a-lifetime shopping spree. First, the chefs are asked to make an all-American meal featuring varied items from the store’s star-spangled sample tables. Next, the chefs “roll” their way to Guy’s arcade, where they pick a protein for their seafood spectacular. Finally, the last two chefs tee off for must-have ingredients for a summer family favorite dish.

Sunday 8|7c

First, special guest judge Lorraine Pascale helps Giada De Laurentiis and Bobby Flay determine the best dish made from frozen foods. Then, it’s time for one of the most-festive trends — a tiki party! In teams of three, the finalists create an island-inspired menu, then take the stage to give a team food demo to a crowd of partygoers. Anne Burrell joins as guest judge to help pick the best tiki team.

Sunday 9|8c

This trip, Guy Fieri’s firin’ up big-time barbecue all over the country. Of course there’s killer ‘cue cooking up in Texas, Memphis and North Carolina … but how about ribs and collards in Compton, Calif., and Southern-style sandwiches in Philadelphia? Plus, there are all the fan favorites like the bomb brisket, off-the-chain chicken and lights-out pulled pork. So get your bib on and dig into this saucy, smoky special!