This weekend signals the end of summer, and no matter how crazy the weather is and how unnaturally warm it’s getting for this time of year, this weekend just may be your last chance to have a warm cookout in 2018.
Fresh and spicy dishes are perfect for this occasion, including simple ones that take just a few minutes to make and that’ll keep everyone happy and satisfied with something that’s delicious and filling. Here are 5 Labor Day weekend recipes for the final days of summer.
Spicy Hummus
Hummus is a great dip for large crowds and each one of these four styles lends itself to different occasions. A classic spicy hummus dip takes almost no time to prepare, while a more elaborate Italian hummus demands more ingredients, time and effort.
BBQ Chicken Skewers
Chicken skewers are perfect for all sorts of cookouts, offering a new dimension to the otherwise predictable tasting chicken. The charred flavor that can only come from a grill provides a meal that’s easy and fun to eat. Who needs cutlery during a barbecue?
RELATED: 5 Easy Steps To Creating The Best Grilled Vegetables In The Universe
Marrying the delicate flavors of apple butter, chicken, and (not so delicate) bacon, these skewers are a game changer. Check out the full recipe here.
Texas Mary Drink
Few drinks are better suited for a cookout than a Bloody Mary. A cool drink loaded with veggies is just what you need when you’re standing out in the sun for hours. This simple recipe asks for a Bloody Mary Mix that you’ll spice up according to your own heat preference.
Ingredients:
- Bloody Mary Mix 1 cup
- Texas Pete Hot sauce 2 tsps
- Ice ¼ cup
- Vodka 1 ½ oz
- Texas Pete Dust/tajin Spice mix 50/50 Dusting
- Shrimp Skewer, optional
- Celery Stick, optional
Directions:
- Mix in cocktail shaker first 4 ingredients and shake
- Rim glass with lime juice or water and dip in dust mixture
- Pour drink in glass and garnish
Lemony Green Bean Pasta Salad
This filling and fresh salad works as a side or a meal. While this recipe is very simple, it’s also flavorful, packing a bunch of different layers that perfectly blend together. The recipe includes almonds, feta cheese, and whole wheat pasta, which is also healthy and won’t leave you feeling too heavy. You can check out the full recipe here.
Fresh Peach Cake
RELATED: Meat Master: 7 Grilling Hacks That Will Change Your Cook-Out Game
Dessert tends to be forgotten during barbecues, but this peach cake is something else, especially during the summer when the peaches are in season. It’s a simple enough recipe that you can check out here. It also won’t demand too much of your time in the kitchen.
