While the warm weather continues in many places, Labor Day can feel like summer’s last hurrah. Many people love to get together with family and friends and celebrate with a cookout. Of course, one of the best parts of Labor Day is the food, full of delicious flavors from on and off the grill. Whether hosting a Labor Day party for half the block or just your own family, make it memorable and plan your Labor Day menu with some of these suggestions.
Try a Low Country Boil
If you’ve been grilling hamburgers all summer and want to take a break, you can’t go wrong with a low country boil. In addition, this is one of the all-time easiest things to prepare yet offers a spectrum of flavors. To make this, grab a huge stock pot or two smaller stock pots into which you can evenly divide the ingredients. Fill the pot halfway with water and your shrimp boil seasoning. Then bring the mixture to a rolling boil and add the potatoes. Next to go in the pot are the Vidalia onions and spicy sausages. After that, you’ll add cut pieces of corn on the cob, and the shrimp go in at the very end. Now you can drain and dump the boil onto a long sheet of kraft paper where your guests can grab their fill with tongs.
Add a Pasta Side
Pesto Penne Pasta is a fabulous side dish that is so simple to make but packs a massive amount of flavor. Whip up a quick basil pesto home, or grab a jar from the store. Add some cut cherry or grape tomatoes, and get several varieties to add beautiful color. Some freshly grated parmesan, your favorite penne noodle, and a little salt and pepper are the only other things you need to make a delicious side.
Coleslaw Classic
What kind of cookout would it be without coleslaw? This dish can be super satisfying if you have the time to make it from scratch. Shred red and green cabbage and carrots. For extra dimensions, look for multi-colored carrots. Then mix your favorite mayonnaise, white or apple cider vinegar, celery seeds, a pinch of sugar, and salt and pepper for the creamy dressing. Taste your coleslaw and add a squeeze of lemon if you enjoy a little more acidity. Remember, this is one of those recipes that improves when it chills in the fridge for at least an hour, so you can take your time and make it earlier.
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Get Others in on the Menu
You can whip up some simple yet flavorful dishes for your Labor Day menu, but the party’s more fun when everyone gets in on the food. Have your guests bring something small to share, such as a dessert, favorite condiments, or fresh fruit and tea. If everyone brings something small, you can focus on the main part of the menu without feeling too overwhelmed. Plan your Labor Day menu to include effortless creations that let you spend more time with the people you care about.
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