The Perfect End to Summer: The Labor Day Cookout

As autumn quickly approaches, everyone scrambles to enjoy the remainder of the summer with a backyard Labor Day cookout, the perfect way to have good times with friends and family, relaxing and enjoying one other’s company. By planning and preparing ahead of time, you’ll be able to also enjoy yourself and have little to do once your company does finally arrive for the cookout.

If foods such as chicken or steak will be the main course of your meal, take the time to ensure your guests will have extra tasty and tender cuts of meat by marinating them the day before. Grocery stores are full of marinade sauces or you can simply make your own, add the meat to a bag that seals and leave it in the fridge overnight. When the grill is heated, simply place all the meat on the grates and add some extra sauce from the bag throwing the excess away.

For vegetarian guests, consider making a few soy or garden burgers as well or if people are concerned with their weight and what they eat, make some turkey burgers which have a considerably lower fat content than the regular beef burgers.

Corn on the cob is always a favorite at cookouts, and fresh corn bought from a local farm or at a side of the road stand is the absolute best kind. Remove the husks and silk then coat the cob in butter or a little vegetable oil and some salt and pepper before wrapping tightly in aluminum foil. Be sure to turn the corn every few minutes or so and watch for hot steam as you unwrap the cobs from their foil.

Other vegetables suitable for grilling include onions, squash, asparagus, and a variety of peppers. Coat with some butter or oil, add a few seasonings if you like, and grill for about 20 to 30 minutes. Keep the softer veggies like cucumbers off the grill and save that type for the vegetable tray.

Freshly cut vegetables are an excellent snack for guests while they’re waiting for the rest of the food to be prepared as they’re not only healthy, but they’re delicious with one of any of the tasty veggie dips available. If you wait to bring out the pretzels, potato chips and dip until just before dinner is served, everyone will have already been snacking on much healthier choices and will eat less of the junk food fare so many of us are addicted to.

It’s no secret that dessert is the favorite part of the entire meal for many people, especially those that are light and refreshing tasting on a late summer’s day. Fresh fruit including watermelon, apples, oranges and berries are great for picnics and everyone loves cake. An easy but tasty cake to make is angel food filled with chocolate flavored whipped cream. Slice about an inch off the top of the cake and hollow out the center to fill with the whipped cream and use a think layer to adhere the top portion of the cake to the bottom.

photo credit: Mike Raybourne