FlickrWe're all familiar with the phrase, "less is more," and apparently, that applies to wedding cakes. Left and right, we're seeing more and more frosting-less wedding cakes, and shockingly enough, they somehow seem to exude class. You may assume that un-adorned cakes would appear cheap and lacking effort, but if done properly, the effect is quite the opposite.

Related: The Next Great Baker Attempts to Bake the World's Largest Wedding Cake

Hilary Duff included a naked wedding cake in her fairytale wedding theme in 2010, and even Victoria Beckham had one for her wedding in 1999, but she's always been ten steps ahead of every trend. Understated and natural, these cakes seem to convey a similar character as "rustic" baked goods and recipes- a feeling of comfort and home.

Related: 15 Over-the-Top Wedding Cakes

Adorned with countless varieties of assorted fruits and flours, these tasteful confections are on the rise and parading the wedding scene, and frankly, although they reject tradition,

Fat Johnnie'sThe hot dog is one of the few foods that's nearly impossible to screw up. You heat it through, tuck it into a bun, squirt on some mustard, and call it lunch. But there's a big difference between not screwing something up and turning it into a paradigm-shifting, transcendental dining experience. And there are lots of hot dog stands, restaurants, and drive-ins out there that have the power to change your life.


Related: The Best (and Worst) Hot Dogs to Buy

On our quest to find America's best hot dogs, we kept an eye out for drive-ins, restaurants, and roadside stands with a definitive style of hot dog and topping, one which embodies not only the region's quirks but the particular tastes and culinary traditions of its people. We judged these hot dogs based on several criteria: the quality of the ingredients (sourcing the franks from well-known regional producers and using fresh-chopped onions, for example), the entire hot dog-eating experience, from driving up to placing your order to

Flickr/jaysonphMillions of Americans across the country venture to their local state fairs each year to celebrate the culture of their home states. People flock to see their state's abundant healthy livestock, participate in a variety of competitions, and listen and dance to live music. But what really makes visitors come back year after year is, of course, the food.

Related: America's Wacky Fair Foods

Funnel cakes, corn dogs, and cotton candy may have been the most popular fair food for decades, but fair-goers today have a new set of expectations when it comes to the foods they crave. They demand flavor, creativity, portability, and deep-fried goodness. States have worked hard to come up with dishes that reflect the local sensibility and fit these requirements, and The Daily Meal caught up with the organizers of these venerable fairs to see which foods are most popular.

See Also: World's Scariest Foods

Some fairs' most popular foods are truly iconic and speak to the state's culture. Nebraska, for

Father's Day is just around the corner! If you're still hemming and hawing over what to make for Dad on his special day, we've got some recipe inspiration for you he's sure to love. From puffed apple pancakes for breakfast to grilled pizza for dinner, we've got your whole Father's Day menu covered. Check out the 7 recipes below to find something perfect for the Dad in your life. - By Babble Editors

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Will BudiamanNo, that's not a typo below - it really is one-quarter cup of sambal oelek. Don't worry though, the spiciness is balanced out by all the other ingredients, and all that's left is a pleasant background heat with every bite of chicken stir fry.

Related: What Is Stir-Fry?

INGREDIENTS

1 tablespoon vegetable oil
1 chicken breast, cut into 1-inch cubes
¼ cup sambal oelek
1 tablespoon fish sauce
½ onion, sliced thinly
8 ounces white button mushrooms, sliced thinly
5 scallions, sliced thinly on a bias
15 basil leaves, torn
Cooked Jasmine or basmati rice, for serving

Related: Rainbow Swiss Chard and Lemon Stir-Fry Recipe

DIRECTIONS

Heat the oil in a wok or 10-inch skillet over high heat. Meanwhile, combine the chicken with the sambal oelek and fish sauce in a bowl.

When the oil is shimmering, add the chicken and cook for 2 minutes, shaking the pan occasionally, or if using a wok, stirring occasionally.

Add the onions and mushrooms and mix well. Allow to cook until the onions and

Kathy Stevens with her friend Tucker.For the last decade, I've resided on the grounds of Catskill Animal Sanctuary with hundreds of close friend—pigs, horses, chickens, sheep, goats, and cows—all saved from disastrous fates, now living out their lives in peace with me and others who know their names.

More on Shine: 6 Step Guide to Making Epic Vegan Pizza (Really!)

I wasn't always this way, though. A plate of scrambled eggs was my go-to breakfast, cheesy pizza was a lunchtime staple, and my summer Saturday nights didn't feel right without burgers searing on the grill.

Now a committed vegan, I encourage sanctuary visitors make the connection between what they eat and how it affects not only the animals but the desperately ailing planet we share. I invite you to read about the animals I call my friends and the life changing lessons I've learned from them in my newly revised book, "Animal Camp." In the meantime, though, I offer you five easy steps toward changing the way you eat, and, in turn, saving the planet.

1. Switch to

Some days it's just too hot to cook! And when it's 90 degrees outside, warm foods don't sound appetizing anyway. All you can think about are icy drinks, juicy fruit, cool desserts or ice creams and crisp, cool vegetables. The five ideas below will help keep you (and your house!) cool on those sweltering summer days, while showcasing summer's best seasonal offerings -- make sure you follow our seasonal produce guide (based on your region) for June, July and August.

So get chopping, blending, or wrapping, but leave the cooking for cooler days!

1. Taco Bowl:



Taco salad is a quick, easy, and satisfying meal you can put together in just a few minutes. Simply prepare and set out the ingredients, and let everyone make their own bowl! Customize to your liking, but recommended ingredients include mixed greens (or lettuce), chopped tomatoes, black beans, mashed avocado (or guacamole), shredded cheese, salsa, and tortilla chips. Yum!

2. Raw Soups:



Raw soups make a great appetizer or

The best kind of Father's Day feast doesn't require a tie, valet parking, or a tip. This steakhouse-inspired meal gets a lift from fresh summer flavors and is as close as the backyard, where seating is ample (hammock, lawn chairs) and the after-dinner entertainment, free (sunset, cicadas). Besides, the sizzle of ribeye on the grill, sweet corn on the cob, and an over-the-top but easy homemade dessert say, "love ya," louder than any restaurant reservation ever could.