That time of the year is here again. While it doesn’t technically end until September 21st, we all know that Labor Day is really the end of Summer. The date of Labor Day may change each year (it’s always the first Monday of September), but there is one thing that never changes – the abundance of barbecues and great cooking! Family and friends get together to enjoy picnics, fun activities and fire up the grill for one last hurrah.
Scott Anderson of Shepherdstown, WV has a wonderful recipe for Grilled Sesame Flank Steak. “Flank steak is a delicious cut of beef,” says Scott. “The biggest tip is to marinate [it] overnight to tenderize and bring out it’s flavor. [The] grilling brings out the tenderness of this steak.” This was a unanimous hit around the Test Kitchen table, and will surely be a favorite at your Labor Day barbecue.
“The grill is not just for hamburgers, hot dogs, ribs and chicken” thinks Sherri Logan Williams. And after trying her Grilled Shrimp and Sweet Potatoes we would have to agree. The sweet potatoes were terrific straight off the grill. And the shrimp marinade is to-die-for. I am thinking of trying to recreate this on my indoor grill/cooktop to bring some tastes of Summer to the cold Winter months.
The Kitchen Crew always clamors for vegetables on the grill. There is something about grill marks that makes everything better. And, Denise Lepard of Old Bridge, NJ would agree. Her Grilled Vegetables with Goat Cheese and Balsamic Glaze is the perfect way to eat your veggies. “My mom and grandmother would make this when they had left over veggies that they couldn’t use or it wasn’t enough to make a complete dish. It never really makes it to the dinner table!” I love the addition of goat cheese to this recipe. But as Denise points out, “You can swap out the goat cheese for any cheese you prefer and use any vegetables you like.” This is the perfect recipe to whip up using the last of the Summer vegetables from the garden.
We know not everyone out there is a meat lover, and we love that you can really do almost anything on a grill! “We always have an abundance of crookneck squash each year in our garden. I started experimenting with this recipe a few years ago using other fresh vegetables from the garden – it’s deeelicious!,” reports Holly Grier of Underwood, IN. And delicious it is!! This Grilled and Stuffed Squash recipe is a light, fresh super-satisfying dish.
Ever thought about creating a pizza on a grill? Texas native Lynn Socko has! Her Grilled Mexican Pizza puts me in grilled heaven. “This pizza is not only cooked on the grill,” says Lynn, “the meat and veggies are also grilled.” This is a lovely, fresh treat for any late summer evening (as the temperatures begin to cool!).
Personally, once the cooler weather arrives, I cover my grill for the season. Newburgh, IN cook Kyle Fugate’s husband is much braver than me. “He has been known to grill in the rain and even snow. He grew up grilling potatoes with butter on the grill and in foil.” Her Loaded Potatoes Grill Style recipe has great flavor and is a great technique. Maybe I’ll put on my parka and attempt to make these year around too – it’s that good!
Grilling up a dessert? Who knew! Leah Stacey, of Montgomery, AL, has a recipe for Grilled Pineapple Napoleons with Coconut Caramel Sauce that not only sounds divine, it’s completely yummy. “The grilled phyllo dough gives this recipe a nice crunchy texture while the warm cinnamon grilled pineapple is so juicy. The coconut caramel sauce is to die for and really takes this dessert to the next level.” Leah says you can swap the pineapple for grilled bananas too. I may just have to try that.
Whether you’re looking to cook up some burgers, a juicy steak or trying something different, give your grill one good firing up this Labor Day. Your taste buds with thank you.