Americans celebrate Labor Day as the final three-day weekend of summer. The U.S. Department of Labor explains how, "Labor Day constitutes a yearly national tribute to the contributions workers have made to the strength, prosperity, and well-being of our country." This U.S. federal holiday is celebrated on the first Monday of September every year.
Americans can be found watching parades, hanging out at the beach or pool, and finishing the day off with friends and family at barbecues and picnics. If you're hosting a barbecue, try this Turkey Teriyaki burger, traditional German potato salad, a simple peach crisp, and chocolate-covered frozen bananas. A simple green salad or tomato, basil, and fresh mozzarella (Caprese) salad will complete the meal in style.
Turkey Teriyaki Burgers
Ingredients:
- 3/4 lb ground turkey
- 1 onion, finely chopped
- 1/2 red bell pepper, chopped
- 1 Tbsp olive oil
- 1/2 chicken bouillon cube
- 1 apple, peeled, cored and cubed
- 1 Tbsp chopped fresh parsley
- 1/3 cup fresh bread crumbs
- salt & pepper, to taste
Directions to Make Teriyaki Burgers:
- Saute onion and bell pepper in olive oil until softened. Place 3 Tbsp water in cup and heat for 20 seconds in microwave. Dissolve bouillon cube in hot water.
- Put all ingredients together into food processor and chop for several seconds. Remove from processor and form into eight burgers.
Ingredients for Teriyaki sauce:
- 3 Tbsp soy sauce
- 3 Tbsp sake
- 3 Tbsp rice wine
- 1-1/2 Tbsp sesame oil
- 1 Tbsp sugar
Directions:
- Put ingredients into small saucepan and bring to boil. Reduce heat to simmer for a few minutes until sauce begins to thicken.
- Place burgers on grill for four minutes, then baste with sauce and cook for one more minute. Turn burgers over and repeat. Makes 8 turkey burgers.
German Potato Salad
Ingredients:
- 5 lbs potatoes
- 6 slices bacon, diced
- 6 hard-boiled eggs, sliced
- 1/2 onion, chopped
- 1/4 cup flour
- 4 cups water
- 6 Tbsp sugar
- 1 tsp salt
- 1/8 tsp pepper
- 1 tsp celery salt
- 3/4 cup vinegar
- optional: 1 seedless cucumber sliced thinly
Directions for German Potato Salad:
- Boil potatoes in their skins in salted water until tender. Either remove skins while warm or leave skins on, if preferred. Cool. Slice potatoes in large bowl.
- Fry bacon until crisp, remove from pan and pat dry on paper towel.
- Stir flour into bacon fat. Gradually add water, stirring until smooth and thick.
- Add sugar, salt, pepper and celery salt; simmer and stir until dissolved. Add vinegar and bring to a boil; pour over the sliced potatoes. Add bacon pieces, onion, and sliced eggs, fold together gently until well blended. Add cucumbers, if desired. Store in refrigerator in covered bowl. Serves 12.
Quick & Easy Peach Crisp
For a delicious and quick dessert using one of summer's favorite fruits, arrange sliced peaches (4-5 lg Georgia peaches) in an 8-qt square baking dish. Combine 1 cup of crushed gingersnaps and 3 Tbsp brown sugar; sprinkle over peaches. Bake at 400° for 15 minutes.
Barbecues and Labor Day go hand in hand. Make sure yours goes off without a hitch by preparing the potato salad and desserts the day before. Making your burgers and the fresh green or tomato salad the day of the barbecue will leave plenty of time for relaxing and enjoying your company.
For more recipes on the grill, you may also enjoy Grilled Party Appetizers on Skewers or a Trio of Burger Recipes. For a delicious picnic idea, read A Beach Picnic for Two.
Vicki F. Chavis - Growing up in Asia, Europe and North America left Vicki with a love of cuisine, history, language, fashion and travel. Today she writes on ...
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