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Host a Labor Day Cookout

Food and Entertaining

Labor Day is almost here! And we all know what that means: cookouts, pool parties, friends, family and FOOD!  However, throwing a gathering can get pretty stressful. Here are a few ways to organize and make sure your guests have a great time at your Labor Day cookout.
When throwing any kind of party or cookout, decorations are always a must. Nothing says I am here and ready to party like balloons.  You can find red, blue and white balloons and other decorative items you might need at The Dollar Store- you can always find great holiday decorations there for $1.
Next, you will need a location for your shindig.  Throwing your Labor Day cookout at a lake, beach or park would be nice, but it may also get crowded. Try throwing it in your own backyard. Buy lawn chairs so your guests will have seating.  Don’t forget to get fold -up tables to place the food. Bring plenty of cups, plates, and utensils as well for food.

Now that everything is set up, you need to figure out what you will be cooking. A Labor Day cookout wouldn’t be a cookout without something grilled. Most people grill foods like burgers and hotdogs because they are inexpensive and typically a crowd pleaser.
Make sure to have some kind of fruit or vegetables laid out. Just because it’s Labor Day doesn’t mean your guests won’t want healthy options.

 

Some suggestions for side dishes are baked beans, macaroni salad, dinner rolls and salads.

And you always need good drinks! Some great drinks to have at a cookout are sweet iced tea for the kids and beer for the adults, and always make sure to have water.
Now, I know I said we need to be healthy, but we can’t forget about dessert. After all, it is a cookout. For dessert you can always go with cake or ice cream- classics that most people enjoy. However, if you’re thinking about getting creative, how about a Watermelon Sherbet cake!
Now you’re ready to party!
Watermelon Sherbet Cake:
 

Ingredients:

  • 2 quarts lime sherbet
  • 2 quarts raspberry sherbet
  • 1 cup chocolate chips
  • 1 (3 ounce) package of Lady Fingers
  • One round bowl
  • Plastic wrap
  • Spatula

Directions:
First, line round bowl with plastic wrap, make sure there is plastic wrap hanging over the edge (it will help you remove the cake once it’s frozen).
Smooth softened lime sherbet around the edges of the bowl with the spatula (wet spatula first with warm water to make ice cream spreading easier and smoother).
Freeze for 10 minutes.
Stir in chocolate chips into softened raspberry sherbet, spoon raspberry sherbet in the center of the lime sherbet.
Place Lady Fingers around the top of the sherbet, until all of the sherbet is completely covered.
Return cake to the freezer for an hour or until it is ready to serve.
Once it is ready to serve, turn cake upside down, and enjoy!

Picture and recipe provided by babble.com/family kitchen and Solo