The Perfect Labor Day Barbeque

We love to grill and of course that's what summer is all about! We're so sad when summer draws to an end, and though we still fire up the barbeque throughout the year, we like to have one last party over Labor Day. We did this over Fourth of July and it was simple, with just a bit of preparation, and everyone enjoyed it--win in my book! Here's our recipe for a great Labor Day bbq:

*Marinate ribs, chicken, or whatever meat ahead of time--at least 24 hours in whatever your chosen sauce is. Keep it simple and go with a bottled barbeque sauce or one of our favorites--Carribean Jerk. If you have the time and feel adventurous, make your own sauce. You can go with a theme like Italian and make a simple pesto sauce, or just make something of your own creation and for us that involves plenty of olive oil, garlic, and seasonings. The key to the meat is to let it marinate and then slow cook on the grill. Not only does it bring out the flavor, but it prevents any burning and gives you time to enjoy cocktails and appetizers with your guests.

*Grilled vegetables are the foundation of a great bbq. We have had such fun trying out new veggies on the grill this summer, your choices are limitless. Highly recommended are zucchini, onions, tomatoes, and peppers. Preparation for this is very simple, we just make a pouch out of foil and put all the chopped veggies inside. It helps if you coat all the chopped veggies ahead of time in a bit of olive oil, salt, pepper, dill, or whatever seasoning you like. Then put a few small pats of butter on top of the heap and cover off the top of the veggie pouch. Put this on well ahead of the meat so it has time to grill and cook, then set aside until it's time to eat. You can also throw the chopped veggies (not too small of course) right on the grill for a different taste that is fantastic. Follow everything but the pouch to try that route.

*Roasted potatoes are a popular item at all of our bbq's. This is super easy and can be done a bit ahead of time. Simply chop potatoes into small pieces (not too tiny), then throw into a mixture of olive oil, garlic salt, rosemary (fresh if you have it), and pepper. Once coated, put onto a cookie sheet and bake in a 400 degree oven until brown. Yum!

Throw out some simple appetizers like chips and salsa, taco dip, or hummus with pita to get things started. Offer festive cocktails such as blue margaritas (add in some blue caraco for color) and perhaps a raspberry lemonade to keep everyone refreshed. If you want one more side dish, just boil some corn on the cob. This simple barbeque will keep everyone happy and it's super easy on you!

Happy Labor Day!