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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 PeachesBasil & Prosciutto-Wrapped Peaches | Something New For Dinner

 

Peach, Caramelized Onions and Goat Cheese CrostiniPeach, Caramelized Onion & Goat Cheese Crostini | Something New For Dinner

 

Roasted Tomato, Pesto and Burrata BruschettaTomato, Pesto & Burrata Bruschetta | Something New For Dinner

 

Click to download our free e-cookbook: 15 Recipes To Make You Look Like A Star

Caprese Salad with Basil Spinach Pesto

Caprese Salad With Pesto | Something New For Dinner

 

Watermelon GazpachoThis easy-to-make watermelon and tomato gazpacho is perfect summer dish to get you through the heat, minimize your cooking efforts and feed you for a week.

 

Italian Pressed Brick SandwichItalian Pressed Brick Sandwich | Something New For Dinner

 

Mango Goat Cheese RollupsA no-cook, easy appetizer that uses some of my favorite foods: Serrano ham, mango, goat cheese, basil and mint. How could you go wrong?

 

Tomato, Basil and Feta BruschettaBruschetta is one of those perfect foods. It is healthy, versatile, quick and inexpensive to make. It can be eaten as an appetizer or as an entire meal.

 

Grilled Mexican CornGrilled Mexican Corn | Something New For Dinner

 

Salads & Noodles

 

Orzo Salad with Tomatoes, Basil and Fetaorzo-salad_Slide1

 

Perfect Asian Sesame Noodlesperfect-sesame-noodles_Slide1

 

Watermelon, Tomato, Strawberry and Burrata SaladSweet watermelon, vine-ripened tomatoes and juicy strawberries, on top of melt-in-your-mouth burrata, sprinkled with fresh herbs and pine nuts. This salad is delicious.

 

Flank Steak, Tomatoes and Watermelon SaladFlank Steak & Watermelon Salad | Something New For Dinner

 

Chicken, Berry, Date and Candied Walnut SaladChicken, Berry, & Walnut Salad | Something New For Dinner

 

Mains

Ginger, Garlic and Bourbon SteakGinger, Garlic & Bourbon Steak | Something New For Dinner

 

SpiediesSpiedies | Something New For Dinner

 

Asian-Style Baby Back RibsAsian-Style Baby Back Ribs | Something New For Dinner

 

Slow Cooked Carnitas with Minted Tomatillo SalsaEasy, lip-smacking good, homemade, no lard, no Coca Cola, healthy carnitas are paired with a 3-ingredient minted tomatillo sauce.

Desserts

Nectarine Crisp with Salted Honey WhipSalted Honey Nectarine Crisp | Something New For Dinner

 

Grilled Peach and Amaretti Parfaits in a Jar

Grilled Peach & Amaretti Parfaits | Something New For Dinner

 

Strawberries, Sour Cream and Brown SugarStrawberries, Sour Cream & Sugar | Something New For Dinner

 

Something Cold and Boozy

 

Watermelon Summer Cooler

Watermelon Summer Cooler | Something New For Dinner

Margo's End of Summer CocktailMargo's End Of Summer Cocktail | Something New For Dinner

 

Mexican Mules with Tequila Lime Ice Pop GarnishTequila Lime Boozy Pops 

 

Have a Wonderful Labor Day Weekend!

Click to download our free e-cookbook: 3 Fabulous Turkey Recipes Guaranteed To Be Spectacular

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