A Labor Day Grilling Menu

Labor Day weekend signifies the end of summer for many people in the U.S., but I actually enjoy the cool days of fall more than the hot, humid days of August. We still have close to two months of good grilling weather left, even in the Northern climates. Today I'm sharing an end of the summer menu that is perfect for Labor Day or any weekend when you get the urge to use your grill.

This dip doesn't use the grill but it's a great appetizer to serve while dinner is cooking.

Spinach Queso Dip

Ingredients:
8 ounces pepper jack cheese
16 ounces Monterey Jack cheese
10 ounce frozen chopped spinach
1 medium sweet onion, diced
1 cup milk
1/2 tsp. garlic powder
1/2 tsp. ground black pepper
1 cup sour cream

Chop the cheese into small pieces. Defrost the spinach and drain. Saute the onions until softened and just starting to turn golden. Mix all of the ingredients, except for the sour cream. Microwave in 2 minute intervals, stirring each time until the mixture is smooth and melted. Stir in the sour cream. Serve with tortilla chips.

I also like this simple recipe because it uses all fresh ingredients and tastes better than anything you can buy in the store.

Pico de Gallo

Ingredients:
5 small or 4 medium tomatoes, chopped
1 small onion, chopped
1/2 cup fresh cilantro, chopped
1-2 Jalapeno chiles, seeded and minced
2 tbsp. freshly squeezed lime juice
salt to taste

Combine all the ingredients in a glass bowl and mix well. Serve immediately or within a couple of hours. Better at room temperature and served fresh. Serve with tortilla chips or toasted pieces of French or Italian bread.

Notes: The trick to this recipe is using ingredients that are as fresh as possible. I use sweet onion, but any type will work. You can also use other peppers besides Jalapeno but beware of their heat level. You may only need one if it's especially hot. Be careful not to touch your eyes or face after seeding the peppers until you've washed your hands well.

Spicy Grilled Shrimp

Ingredients:
1 pound shrimp, peeled and deveined
1/4 cup olive oil
1/4 cup lime juice
1/2 tsp. salt
1 tsp. chili powder
1 Jalapeno pepper, seeded and chopped
2 garlic cloves, peeled and minced

Combine the peppers, garlic, oil, lime juice, salt in a blender or food processor and process until fairly smooth. Place the shrimp in a large resealable plastic bag, add the marinade and close the bag. Marinate in the refrigerator for about an hour. Thread on to skewers OR use a grill pan that can be put on the grill. Grill over medium heat for about 3-4 minutes, turning or stirring, until shrimp are pink and done.

Notes:I have also made a pan out of foil that has been doubled and folded on the sides. The best method I've found is the round grill pans with holes in them and a handle. The shrimp can be stirred while it's grilling.

Garlic Butter for Steaks

Ingredients:
4 tbsp. butter, softened
2 garlic cloves, peeled and minced
1 tbsp. chopped thyme
1/2 tsp. Worcestershire sauce

Mix the ingredients until combined. Chill until ready to use.

To use: Grill your favorite steak until done. As soon as it's removed from the grill place on a platter, and top with a little bit of the butter. Serve
when melted.

Grilled New Potatoes

Ingredients:
2 lbs. new red potatoes
1/4 c. butter, melted
2 cloves garlic, crushed
2 tsp. seasoned salt
1/2 tsp. ground black pepper

Scrub the potatoes, but don't peel and poke each one twice or three times with a fork. Microwave the potatoes for 4-5 minutes or so in batches of 5 or 6 depending on size. You want them to be almost tender. If potatoes are large, cut in half AFTER microwaving. Place potatoes in disposable foil pan or use a large sheet of foil that will hold the potatoes. In small bowl, combine butter, garlic, pepper and salt; pour over potatoes. Cover the pan with foil, or fold over the large sheet of foil so potatoes are enclosed. Place potatoes on a gas grill over medium heat. Cook 15-20 minutes until the potatoes are tender.

Notes: I adapted a recipe to create this one, and the timing on microwaving the potatoes is kind of tricky. Some cooks like to boil them until partially cooked, and that works fine too. What I do is cook them in the microwave as directed above using the "potato" setting. I set it at 1 potato, turn it on, then check the potatoes to see they are tender. Sometimes half of them will be ready, other won't be, so I remove the tender ones and cook a minute longer, NOT using the potato setting. Repeat until the potatoes are all tender. It's important NOT to overcook. They should be barely tender before grilling.

On OFL we have another Labor Day Menu:
http://oldfashionedliving.com/entertaining2.html