This Year, Embrace Laid-Back Cooking For Labor Day
Every year, we make a promise that this Labor Day is the one that will be truly labor-free. Cut to standing in the sweltering heat next to the barbecue or ladling batch after batch of pancakes for hungry houseguests. This year, join us in embracing a laid-back Labor Day plan, which requires just a little bit of effort and some pre-holiday planning.
For a laid-back Labor Day this year, we’re opting for recipes with minimal prep (we’re talking 10 minutes) like this Tomato, Peach and Burrata Salad With Chile-Lime Vinaigrette, low-and-slow roasts, and low-key grilling that doesn’t need a lot of prep.
START BY DECIDING WHAT KIND OF VIBE YOU WANT.
It doesn’t go without saying that the most laid-back Labor Day is one on which you don’t cook at all. A great day might include simply grilling burgers and sausages, putting out a bowl of chips, and cracking open some beers. But if you want to put together some seriously delicious food that’s still low-key, read on for our guide to planning a laid-back Labor Day hang.
THEN, FIGURE OUT THE GUEST SITUATION.
Hopefully this goes without saying, but if you’re having guests, you can ask them to bring a dish or two. (Perhaps the secret to a truly laid-back labor day gathering is to delegate all the recipes…) Give them an idea of what you’re planning to make, and let them know that you want them to take it easy, too. May we suggest sending them our recipes for Pepper Jack Skillet Cornbread, Fried Chicken With Spicy Honey Butter, or Sweet and Spicy HexMix? If your friends hate to cook, ask them to bring drinks and ice, and to come early to help set up or stay late to clean up.
CHOOSE THE MAIN DISH FIRST. (BONUS POINTS FOR MAKE-AHEAD MAINS.)
Some main dishes are sneakily hard work. For your laid-back Labor Day plans, give some thought in advance to what you’ll want to serve. You could make our Citrus Roasted Salmon with Salsa Verde a day in advance and serve the salmon cold with the salsa verde alongside. Or, if you are set on having burgers, make and freeze patties for Ginger Scallion Salmon Burgers or Crispy White Bean & Sweet Potato Veggie Burgers up to a month in advance. All that’s left to do day-of is assemble the toppings, cook the patties, and griddle the buns. And a reminder that a packed charcuterie board is celebration enough.
OPT FOR SERIOUSLY LOW-KEY SIDES.
Here to remind you that slicing Persian cucumbers lengthwise and grinding salt over top does count as a side dish. (Same goes for end-of-summer heirloom Tomatoes.) If that’s a little too laid-back for you, consider the potato salad (you can boil the potatoes a day in advance), Lemon-Tahini Slaw, Grilled Lemon Broccoli with Pistachio-Parmesan Sprinkles, or Warm Grilled Zucchini, Feta, & Basil Salad.
Saying this again for the cheap seats: wedges of watermelon, store-bought guac and tortilla chips, and grilled ears of corn totally count as sides.
CONSIDER THE SKILLET DESSERT.
It’s not that we don’t love a layer cake or a stack of freshly baked cookies, a skillet dessert is just so much easier—no preparing pans or making frosting or scooping dough necessary. It’s not only easy to make, serving it in your 4.5QT Hybrid Deep Sauté Pan just feels cool. Committed chocolate lovers will want to go for our Peanut Butter Swirl Skillet Brownies a La Mode, while people want to stretch the summer feeling a little longer might like our Red, White, & Blue Mixed Berry Skillet Shortcake. Or, go for a true classic and serve our Skillet Chocolate Chip Cookie with scoops of ice cream on top and a pile of spoons.
P.S. For a truly laid back dessert, consider making ice cream sundaes with marinated fruit and granola. To make it, toss chopped fresh summer fruit with a few tablespoons granulated sugar, a dash vanilla, and a pinch salt. Let sit for 30 minutes, stirring occasionally. Serve over vanilla ice cream and top with a handful of granola.
Looking for more ideas for putting together your Labor Day menu? We’ve got you covered.
