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Labor Day Recipes
Here are our favorite Labor Day recipes, picked for their minimal labor requirements, delectability, use of summer produce and suitability for sharing.
Thoughts on Labor Day
When Labor Day rolls around it is always a little bittersweet. Bitter, because the warm lazy days of summer are about to end and I always have the urge to cram in just a little more summer fun. Bitter because I can't bear the thought of trading in my flip-flops for shoes. And bitter because all the mouth-watering fruits of summer, watermelon, peaches, nectarines, berries and tomatoes are about to wind up their glorious season.
As a kid, and nerd that I was, I looked forward to back-to-school shopping, the smell of new pencils and being reunited with classmates I hadn't seen during the summer. As an adult and when my kids were little, Labor Day was a little sweet because at last everyone was going back to school and I could count on a few hours to myself everyday, even though I knew we were barreling into a whirling dervish of carpools, homework, dance practice and after school sports. There is also the sweetness of the weather cooling off, the flies disappearing and the anticipation of upcoming back-to-back holidays that arrive monthly through the fall and winter.
Now that my kids are grown and living on their own and making their way in the world, Labor Day marks the sweetness of shoulder-season travel, when you are free to roam without the crowds and inflated prices of summer. Post Labor Day stay-vacations are pretty nice too. The summer Newport crowds disappear, there is parking, traffic dies down and you don't need reservations to get into your favorite restaurant.
Regardless of whether Labor Day is more bitter or sweet for you, it is a day worthy of enjoyment and taking time to revel in family, friends and the fruits of your labor. Like most holidays, Labor Day is better with good food. Here are our favorite Labor Day recipes, picked for their minimal labor requirements, delectability, use of summer produce and suitability for sharing.
Click to download our free e-cookbook: 3 Fabulous Turkey Recipes Guaranteed To Be Spectacular
Appetizers and Small Plates
Basil and Prosciutto-Wrapped Peaches
Peach, Caramelized Onions and Goat Cheese Crostini
Roasted Tomato, Pesto and Burrata Bruschetta
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Caprese Salad with Basil Spinach Pesto
Watermelon Gazpacho
Italian Pressed Brick Sandwich
Mango Goat Cheese Rollups
Tomato, Basil and Feta Bruschetta
Grilled Mexican Corn
Salads & Noodles
Orzo Salad with Tomatoes, Basil and Feta
Perfect Asian Sesame Noodles
Watermelon, Tomato, Strawberry and Burrata Salad
Flank Steak, Tomatoes and Watermelon Salad
Chicken, Berry, Date and Candied Walnut Salad
Mains
Ginger, Garlic and Bourbon Steak
Spiedies
Asian-Style Baby Back Ribs
Slow Cooked Carnitas with Minted Tomatillo Salsa
Desserts
Nectarine Crisp with Salted Honey Whip
Grilled Peach and Amaretti Parfaits in a Jar
Strawberries, Sour Cream and Brown Sugar
Something Cold and Boozy
Watermelon Summer Cooler
Margo's End of Summer Cocktail
Mexican Mules with Tequila Lime Ice Pop Garnish
Have a Wonderful Labor Day Weekend!
Click to download our free e-cookbook: 3 Fabulous Turkey Recipes Guaranteed To Be Spectacular