Labor Day Dishes

So, if you are like most people you have a three day weekend for Labor Day. Since you do have a three day weekend you thought about having a cookout with family and friends to enjoy the last leg of summer. It is a great plan but you have no clue what to make. That is okay because this menu and recipes will help you to create a cookout that will be the summer's best ever blast. Enjoy the summer ending and have fun with those who are close to you.

Ranch Burgers
Prep Time: 15 minutes; Cook Time: 10 minutes; Yield: 8 servings
Ingredients:
2 pounds lean ground beef
1 (1 ounce) ranch dressing mix
1 slightly beaten egg
3/4 cup crushed saltine crackers
1 chopped onion
Directions:
1. Preheat the grill for high heat.
2. In a bowl; mix the beef, dressing mix, egg, crackers and onion. Form into hamburger patties.
3. Lightly oil the grill grate. Place patties on the grill and cook 5 minutes per side or until well done.
4. Serve with favorite condiments and Enjoy!

Baked Beans
Prep Time: 15 minutes; Cook Time: 35 minutes; Yield: 6 servings
Ingredients:
3 bacon strips, diced
1/2 cup green pepper, chopped
2 (15 ounce) pork N beans
1/3 cup hickory smoked BBQ sauce
1/3 cup packed brown sugar
2 Teaspoons prepared mustard
Directions:
1. In a skillet; cook bacon over medium high heat until crisp. Remove to paper towels. Drain, reserving 1 Tbsp bacon drippings. Saute pepper in drippings until tender.
2. Drain one can of beans. In a bowl; combine both can of beans, BBQ sauce, sugar, mustard and green pepper. Transfer to a greased 1-quart baking dish.
3. Bake, uncovered, at 350 degrees for 35-40 minutes or until bubbly and heated through. Sprinkle with bacon.

Simple Macaroni Salad
Prep Time: 20 minutes; Cook Time: 10 minutes; Yield: 8 servings
Ingredients:
1 (16 ounce) package pasta (can have different kinds except for spaghetti noodles)
2 red bell peppers, chopped
1 green pepper, chopped
1/2 cup green onions, chopped
1 stalk celery, chopped
1 tablespoon Olive Oil
1 cup mayonnaise
1 package of dry vegetable dry soup mix
Directions:
1. Cook pasta according to the package directions. Drain and rinse under cold water until pasta is no longer hot. Transfer to a large bowl.
2. In a small bowl mix the dry soup mix and mayonnaise. Set aside. Once the pasta is done and in large bowl; combine pasta, peppers, onions, celery and Olive Oil. Stir in the mayonnaise mixture.
3. Refrigerate about an hour or until chilled. Serve and enjoy.

Grilled Corn on the Cob
Prep Time: 10 minutes; Cook Time: 30 minutes; Yield: 6 servings
Ingredients:
6 ears of corn on the cob
6 tablespoons of butter
Salt/Pepper to taste
Aluminum foil
Directions:
1. Shuck the corn on the cob. Wash off. Butter the corn. Add salt and pepper as desired. Wrap in aluminum foil.
2. Place on lightly greased grill grate. Cook about 30 minutes, turning occasionally, or until tender.

Strawberry shortcake
Prep Time: 10 minutes; Cook Time: 15 minutes; Yield: 8 servings
Ingredients:
3 pints of fresh strawberries
2 yellow cake mix
1/2 cup of sugar
1 Tablespoon of sugar
Container of Cool Whip
Directions:
1. Make the cake mix according to package directions in two round cake pans.
2. Slice up strawberries and mix them with 1/2 cup of sugar. Set aside.
3. Turn the cakes out onto counter or plate. Use the whipped cream as icing and icing both cakes. Cover one cake with strawberries. Add the second cake on top of the first cake. Cover that iced cake with strawberries.
4. Garnish with remaining sugar and a little of the whipped cream. Cut into slices and serve.

Now isn't this the perfect way to have a closing of the summer? My family have tried these recipes and it has become our family tradition for a Labor Day menu. Enjoy your last days of summer with friends and family. What could a person want more: good food, friends and family.