Labor Day is about a week away, so it is time to start planning how to say goodbye to summer with friends and family. Barbecues are the epitome of summer dining, so give your picnic table and summer décor one last hoorah by inviting plenty of people over to relax and enjoy their Labor Day weekend. Many stores have already started to slash prices on summer decorations, so pick up some cheap summery table covers, table decorations, and tumblers at stores like Target, Kohls, and Michaels. You can also enlist the help of your kids in making the décor with these summer beach-themed and underwater-inspired crafts. Here is a roundup of all of the best in barbecue recipes and how to save money on your Labor Day bash:
Try a New Grill Recipe: Tired of burgers and hot dogs all summer? Try something different, such as honey chicken kabobs or grilled zucchini, which can be found with our summer grilling recipes here.
Summer Smoothie Recipes: Adults and kids alike can enjoy a mouthwatering summer smoothie for a snack or for dessert at your Labor Day bash. Try a decadent strawberry shortcake smoothie, or a delectable chocolate peanut butter banana smoothie
Pick Up a Growler of Your Favorite Summer Ale: Keep it fresh and local by enjoying a growler of something seasonal from one of Long Island’s local breweries, such as John Harvard’s Brewery and Ale House, Port Jeff Brewing Company, or the Oyster Bay Brewing Company. Your guests will be sure to love it, and you will have a tasty way to toast the end of summer
Save Money on Your Meal: Even though it is the end of summer and many people have spent the savings that they had tucked away on vacations with the family, you can still throw a great barbecue party on a budget. Save money when you grill by buying in bulk, and by making your own marinade. Click here for more money-saving tips for grilling.
Food Safety Tips: Be smart when preparing raw meats, and prevent foodborne illness by keeping the raw food’s temperature below 40 degrees Fahrenheit or about 140 degrees Fahrenheit. Do not reuse marinades that have been used on other raw meats, and never reuse plates, utensils, or cutting boards that have been in contact with raw meat unless they have been washed first using hot soapy water. For the full list of food safety tips released by Nassau County Executive Ed Mangano earlier this summer, click here.