Are desserts your job for the potluck picnic? You’re in luck! We’ve got treats for every kind of sweet tooth.
Cookies
Perfectly portioned and finger-licking good. Bring some fresh fruit along too – we suggest watermelon slices or a bushel of juicy peaches.
Almond Blueberry Cookies
Triple Chocolate Cookies
Brownies
Scratch the chocolate itch with these decadent delights. Bake a bunch and freeze for up to 6 months.
Made-Over Deep Dish Brownies
Food Network Kitchens’ Cheesecake Brownies (pictured above)
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Ready to serve up a new, fun summer salad for your Labor Day picnic or BBQ? You can easily add seasonal fruits and vegetables into a grain-based salad for a simple and flavorful dish. By sticking to fresh, whole and natural ingredients, you will be packing in the flavor to this quinoa salad. This dish is as quick as it is flavorful, and with all of the fresh strawberries and sweet honey mixed in, it is so satisfying on the dog days of summer.
Try this salad stuffed into a pita, or serve it on a bed of greens for a light supper. And at the height of bell pepper season, you can use it to fill hollowed-out red bell peppers for an elegant entree. Feel free to play around with this recipe; stepping into your farmers market will give you a whole new perspective of what else you can toss into this dish. No strawberries at the market? No problem. Fresh raspberries or blackberries are a sweet alternative. Not a fan of almonds? Pistachios are a sweeter alternative. If you’re planning on hosting a vegan guest, you can easily substitute agave nectar for the honey. Quinoa is a complete protein and a tasty gluten-free pasta-alternative that can be enjoyed by all.
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- Are you cooking out today?
Happy Labor Day! It’s time to have one last picnic before summer officially ends. Of course you can still cook out before it gets cold, but it’s the last long holiday weekend where you’ll have an extra day to relax and entertain. To get you ready for your end-of-summer bash, a round-up of our most popular picnic posts:
Summer Picnic Menu
Which is Healthier, a Hot Dog or a Hamburger?
5-Ingredient Broccoli Salad
Top Picnic Salads
Host a Healthier Cookout
Potato Salad, Lightened Up
8 Grilling Safety Tips You Need to Know
Safety Tips: Packing Food for Your Cookout
Labor Day Cookout Menu
How are you celebrating the last weekend of summer?
- Can you still have one of these on a healthy diet?
On Labor Day weekend, many families will be firing up the grill to cook . . . you guessed it: hot dogs. 95% of American households eat hotdogs (we consume over 20 billion a year). Hot dogs are notoriously high in fat/saturated fat and sodium and most only have about an ounce of protein. So, I bet you’re wondering how you can enjoy your Labor Day cook-out and be health conscious? Here are some tips to a better ‘dog.
Choose a hot dog that is lower in fat (less than 10 g of total fat and 5 g of saturated fat) and sodium (less then 500mg). Look for light or reduced fat versions; fat-free versions usually add more sodium for flavor. Here are some brands that fit the bill.
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- Grilled summer squash, from Food Network Magazine.
Celebrate the end of summer with these healthy sides — each has fewer than 250 calories per serving. Side dishes should add color, flavor, and a variety of nutrients to your meal. Take your pick from these scrumptious options.
Recipes To Try:
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For most folks, Labor Day weekend is last time for a big BBQ bash. The kids are heading back to school (or are already there) and those half-day Fridays have all run out. Cherish summer’s final days and seasonal flavors with this versatile spread. Our menu features veggie kabobs to start, a spicy grilled chicken (or grilled zucchini for the meat-wary) and a fruit sundae to round things out.
We didn’t forget the drinks, either. Serve Blueberry Lime Margaritas for the adults and Blueberry Lemonade for the kids. If your friends aren’t blueberry fans, mix up a lighter, homemade batch of fresh iced tea instead.
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