If you're throwing or even attending a Labor Day get-together this weekend, make sure your appetizers aren't the ones that no one's going for.
You don't want your bland pasta salad to be ignored by everyone until all the other food at the cookout is gone. And whatever you do, do not be the person who brings chips.
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You've made your plans and put your playlist together. Now the only thing left is to create the menu. Here are 8 delicious and beautiful snacks that will leave guests wanting more at your Labor Day event.
American Flag Cheese Tray
While you can never go wrong with a cheese and meat spread for any big get-together, there's no excuse to slack on presentation. Instead of slapping some cheddar cubes and salami slices on a plate, go the extra mile with this American flag cheese spread. This one is assembled using only ingredients from Trader Joe's, but the possibilities here are endless to substitute ingredients from your local cheese shop for an even more customized and snobby charcuterie experience.
See the recipe at The BakerMama
Sonoran Hot Dogs
Show off with this decadent take on a Labor Day classic. A Tucson, Arizona favorite, the Sonoran hot dog is a monster: a bacon-wrapped sausage you can serve in a hoagie topped with insane ingredients like pinto beans, avocado, spicy mayo, and pico de gallo.
See the recipe at Fletcher's
Prosciutto Cantaloupe Burrata Salad
How many times have you walked up to the fruit bowl at a cookout only to find the strawberries, grapes and watermelon picked through, leaving only soggy, red-stained cubes of cantaloupe at the bottom of the bowl? But cantaloupe doesn't have to be the ugly stepsister of the snack table. The juicy end-of-summer melon shines in this inventive salad. Your guests will be shocked to find how well the mild sweetness of the 'loupe plays against the salty prosciutto, creamy burrata, and crispy fresh mixed greens.
See the recipe at The Rose Table
Sweet-and-Sour Pork Skewers with Pineapple
They're not just snacks -- don't neglect the grill! Turn on the flame and fire up these sweet-and-sour pork skewers with pineapple. Your guests will be rushing to grab one of colorful pork-and-pineapple sticks before they're gone, glazed with a tangy sauce that's made up of ingredients including pineapple juice, sriracha, rice vinegar and soy sauce.
See the recipe at Pure Wow
Chipotle Deviled Eggs
You typically don't hear people say, "Deviled eggs go down easy." But your guests will find it hard to resist going back for seconds on these chipotle deviled eggs. The best part? They're ridiculously easy, made with eggs, a chipotle yogurt dip, crisp salty bacon, and garnished with chives. These are a classic with a kick.
See the recipe at The Almond Eater
Kale Caesar Pasta Salad
Pasta salad is always a great way to feed a lot of people that won't cost a lot of money or be too time-consuming to make. But under the sweltering summer sun, a mouth full of mayo and noodles doesn't always feel great. Lighten things up for Labor Day with this kale caesar pasta salad, which combines the cruciferous bite of kate with the belly-filling comfort of penne and creamy dressing.
See the recipe at Fresh Fit Kitchen
Creamy Blueberry Frozen Yogurt
You will wow your guests with this creamy blueberry frozen yogurt. Using just yogurt, blueberries, vanilla, cane sugar and heavy cream, this frozen dessert will cool off attendees after those hot grilled meats. If you can, find wild blueberries to yield this vibrant hue of purple. (Blueberries from the store will still make a delicious yogurt, but the color will be more grey.) And in the spirit of the holiday, it's not labor intensive -- you can make this one without an ice cream maker.
Find the recipe at PBS
Key Lime Bars
What better snack to bid farewell to summer than a dessert named after the Florida keys. Turn your backyard into a cabana with these Key lime bars, a creamy filling of sweet, citrusy flavor bursting on top a graham cracker foundation.
Find the recipe at The Spruce Eats
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