Labor Day Recipes with a Bit o’ Sass

Each year, I wait for the first morning I have a sense that Fall is right around the corner, teasing me.  The humidity is gone, skies are clear and blue, and there’s a gentle breeze. One cruel morning this week hinted of just that, but it was gone before I knew it.  A long Labor Day weekend lies ahead, and hot sunny days perfect for a day at the beach or barbeque are what most long for.  But this last gasp of summer brings memories of school for me.  A rest from all the shopping for clothes and supplies, from setting up yet another classroom, attending meetings to prepare for the new year, and seemingly endless lesson plans that waited to be written.  I always looked forward to Labor Day weekend because I could leave all the business of the weeks preceding for a day or two to think about food, family, and relaxation.

Labor Day weekend also represents something else, though.  It often coincides with my birthday, and this year  the holiday falls on the same day of the week I was born — Monday.  Pretty appropriate, don’t you think?  I’m sure my mother did because I was her first born.  I’m thinking about making myself a cheesecake like my mother always did, but in the meantime, thinking about great food to share for the holiday weekend in general is more in order.  So I’ve decided to organize the recipes I’d love to sample here instead of tagging cookbooks and magazines, or making a list in my notebook like I normally do.  It’s a list of Labor Day Recipes with a Bit o’ Sass — because that’s what I’m usually in the mood for.

Enjoy and by all means, share what you think would be a great addition to this list by adding a link in the comments.  Party on!

Oh, and you might think the recipes I’ve included from my own archives in this list are a bit on the shi-shi side of things, but they really aren’t all that.

Okay, so I’m from California.

Does it count that I’m a transplanted “Zonie” and childhood Navy Brat?

Read on, dear friend.  Read on, because I’ve included other great recipes from foodies whom I greatly admire — and I do think they’re all that.

Labor Day Recipes with a Bit 0′ Sass

Libations

Blackberry Smash — The Parsley Thief

I just happen to have some blackberries…

Blood Orange Sangria — More Than Burnt Toast

Okay, so blood oranges aren’t in season —  improvise!

Raspberry Lime Fizz — Sass & Veracity

A shot of spirits would be nice in this.

Starters & Appetizers

Fresh Roasted Pepper and Olive Bruschetta — Sass & Veracity

Favorite.  Enough said.

Bacon Balsamic Deviled Eggs — Recipe Girl

Holy Cow.  I need to try these!

Salads

Grilled Corn Salad with Black Beans, Tomatoes and Bell Pepper — Andrea Meyers Recipes

Has a bunch of our favorite flavors all in one bowl.

Pink Slaw — Sass & Veracity

Who knew?

Spicy Broccoli-Jicama Salad with Red Bell Pepper and Black Sesame Seeds — Kalyn’s Kitchen

I have a thing for black sesame seeds.

Pasta with Chunky Fresh Tomato Sauce & Basil Oil — Sass & Veracity

If I was on a desert island, I could forget about the pasta and just get a spoon for the chunky tomato salsa.

No-Cook Summer Antipasto — The Perfect Pantry

The list of ingredients in this is swoonworthy.

Seafood

Cilantro and Lime Fish Tacos — Closet Cooking

I’m from San Diego, so it’s a no brainer.

Grilled Pancetta Wrapped Salmon Skewers — Sass & Veracity

So good you won’t believe it.

Salmon Baked in a Foil Parcel with Green Beans and Pesto — Eats Well With Others

Well this is on my list, definitely.  I like things in packages.

Meat

Grilled Flat Iron Stead with Chimichurri Sauce — Kalyn’s Kitchen

Love flat iron steak and chimichurri.  I could slather it on quite a few things.

Big Bob Gibson’s Barbeque Ribs — Use Real Butter

Whoa.  There’s a lesson here.

Fall off the Bone Baby Back Ribs — Leite’s Culinaria

I shy away from pork ribs because I fail every time.  But these could turn me around.

Spice Rubbed Flank Steak — Pinch My Salt

Love me some spice rubbed anything.  Whenever.

Chicken

Barbequed Chicken on the Grill — Simply Recipes

I need lessons, so this is an excellent place to begin.

Chicken Stuffed Poblano Chilies with Mushrooms and Tomatoes — Sass & Veracity

Packed with flavor and easy, so easy on the calories.

Pulled BBQ Chicken Panini — Panini Happy

I’d need a bib and a few napkins for this and smile the whole time I was eating it.

Beans

Baked Beans from Scratch — A Little Bit of Spain in Iowa

I need to put these savory sweet morsels on my list.

Cannellini Beans and Roasted Garlic — Sass & Veracity

Keep a batch for dipping everything or just get a spoon.

Roasted Sweet Potato Salad with Black Beans and Chili Dressing — Sassy Radish

Well this is a meal if you ask me.  No sides needed.  Oh, the flavors!

Dessert

Fresh Peach Crostada — Fresh New England

Oh. My.  I missed out on baking this summer but…

One Bowl Banana Layer Cake with Cream Cheese Frosting — Wives with Knives

This could be my birthday cake.

Farmhouse Tres Leches — I Married an Irish Farmer

I have a weak spot for cake like this.

Fruity Ice Cream Smoothie Pie — Sass & Veracity

Makes me smile.

Have a safe and wonderful weekend!