Pat yourself on the back for all your hard work this Labor Day Weekend with an al fresco feast that highlights end-of-summer bounty. Serve addictive starters with a juicy steak, lots of veggie sides, a refreshing cocktail, and an all-American dessert for a crowd-pleasing affair. Let this long-weekend playbook take the menu-planning off your plate (we are celebrating the labor movement, after all):
Corn Fritters
These sweet-and-salty fritters celebrate a summertime staple, and are guaranteed to disappear faster than you can fry them.
Vadouvan-Spiced Deviled Eggs
James Beard's curried deviled eggs get a stylish update with vadouvan, a masala-like, French–Indian spice.
Maine Lobster Salad with Tomato Vinaigrette
Sweet and succulent Maine lobster is tossed with tomatoes, string beans, hearts of palm, and a bright vinaigrette for this elegant salad.
Grilled Hanger Steak with Peperonata
This hearty recipe is ideal for a gathering where you don’t want to spend the entire time in the kitchen: the steak only needs a brief sear on the grill, while the peperonata comes together in about 20 minutes.
Quinoa Salad with Fresh Garden Mint
Use juicy heirloom tomatoes in this riff on Middle Eastern tabbouleh for extra flavor.
Creamed Corn with Cornbread Crumbs
This deliciously simple side dish is made with local sweet corn and satisfying cornbread for the ultimate taste of summer.
Shaved Broccoli Stalk Salad with Lime and Cotija
Nutrient-rich broccoli stalks mingle with zesty lime and salty cotija cheese in this tasty example of root-to-stalk cooking.
Blueberry Boy Bait
Named for its rumored man-attracting powers, this cake is delicious with a mug of coffee or a scoop of vanilla ice cream.
Mr. Beard's Citrus Cooler
This refreshing, vodka-spiked Limoncello cocktail is the perfect balance of acidity and sweetness, so mix up an entire pitcher’s worth.
Elena North-Kelly is senior editor at the James Beard Foundation. Find her on Twitter and Instagram.
