50 Perfect Dishes for your Labor Day Party - Burgers, Grilled Chicken, Sides and More

September is almost here. I can hardly believe it. I am so excited to get on to the next season. Bring on fall! Here are 50 ideas for your perfect Labor Day Party. Burger, chicken, steak, fries, sides, condiments and salads are all included. We are going to start you out with 10 of our favorite TSRI burgers and ten Grilled Chicken recipes.

  There is something for every barbecue!  Check back for more ideas for your party.  We will be sharing fabulous cocktail and dessert idea tomorrow. 

Chocolate Caramel Cookie Cocktail Shooters and 5 More Shooter Favs

I am a sweet lover.  Cookies are right up my alley, so Chad came up with these fabulous caramel cookie flavored cocktails that are served with a chocolate cookie on top that were perfect for me.

These shooters are sweet and chocolaty with a touch of caramel that make these exactly what your get together needs.  Whether you are having the girls over for a Ladies Night gathering or serving them up your weekend card game these Chocolate Caramel Cookie Cocktail Shooters are exactly what you need. 

Half of entertaining is flavor and presentation. These cocktail shooters have it all.

Oreo Cookies and Cream Pudding Pops

 

Pudding pops remind me of my childhood.  I  remember my mom picking them up as a special treat for my dad, but of course he would always share them with us kids.  A 6 pack was gone in an instant to one loving dad and 5 grateful children.  I clearly remember that rich and creamy pudding pop.  It was soft and perfectly chocolate.  But inevitably, it would end and all I would be left with was the stick.

Strawberry Lime Yogurt Popsicles

My 3 year old is as fickle as little girls come.  One day she loves loves loves lemon and I make a batch of our favorite Raspberry Lemonade Popsicles.  The next day she says, "Mommy, I don't like lemon".  Fine, what would you like?  Blueberry Vanilla Yogurt Popsicles? Oh yes, mommy!  OK.  After one...  "Mama, I prefer strawberry".  Seriously?  I can't imagine how she became so fickle.  Oh, wait.  Maybe I know someone like that. 

Red, White and Blue Cocktails for Labor Day

It's hard to believe that Labor Day is just around the corner.  Back to school, birthday 'season' (for my family), and soon it will be Halloween and before you know it...  Christmas.  Where has the year gone?  Labor Day weekend it a great time to kick back and relax.  Take a break your have earned it.  I mean Labor Day is actually meant to celebrate your social and economic contributions.

Can you think of a better way to toast to your achievements, than with one of these scrumptious Red, White and Blue cocktails?  Kick your heals off and pour one tonight!

Southwestern Style Grilled Pizza with Chicken in Just 30 Minutes

Southwestern-Style Grilled Pizza with Chicken is topped with enchilada sauce, green chiles, Colby Jack cheese, and fresh veggies, it is bursting with bold flavor. Whether cooked on the grill to achieve that incredible charred flavor or baked in the oven, your family is going to love this pizza.

Jack's Tennessee Sweet Tea

I have to admit I am really on a Jack kick. I love the woody, smoky, sour and sweet flavors that come through in Jack's Tennessee Whiskey. Whether we are developing cocktails, main dishes or desserts I have found this whiskey to translate perfectly.

Frozen Chocolate Covered Banana Treats

Chocolate Covered Bananas are the ultimate treat. A creamy banana covered in a luscious chocolate coating and dipped in your favorite topping. Perfect for an after school treat!

Coming up with treats for my Munchkin are always fun.  But planning treats for parties is purely exciting.  As I mentioned before my 3 year old is on a sprinkle kick.  I am pretty sure if you put sprinkles on Brussel sprouts she would eat them, well maybe not.  But, every dessert I make now has sprinkles, the Funfetti Sugar Cookie Dough Dip that we created recently was loaded with sprinkles.

Tequila Sunrise Classic Cocktail

If I had to describe myself, I would have to say I am not necessarily hip or up to date on the trends.  I love the classics.  Things that stand the test of time.  Classic movies; I love Breakfast at Tiffany's and a gazillion other movies from years ago.  Classic music soothes my soul; dare I say I love 50's, 60's, 70's and 80's music.  Classic cars...  Oh my heavens don't get me started.  And of course classic cocktails.

Southwestern Ham and Cheese Quinoa Bites

We are in bite size mode here at The Slow Roasted Italian!  Our 'Mini Me' Slow Roaster (our munchkin) is going through a super picky phase.  Unless its a dessert with sprinkles it needs to be bite sized to be a favorite.  Luckily, we have come up with some fantastic healthy combinations that she is just devouring.  Southwestern Ham and Cheese Quinoa Bites are fabulous for the whole family and something that Munchkin willingly devours!

5 Minute Funfetti Sugar Cookie Dough Dip

 

Simplified party planning is the name of the game.  I remember the old way, believe me.  Days upon days stent prepping and preparing for a party that would last a few hours.  You would think I was planning a Royal wedding.  But, after I became a mom my time became even more precious.  So, now I spend time thinking about how to simplify.

Rocket Pops - Coffee Fueled Popsicles Ice Pops

We have been on such a coffee kick since we returned from New Orleans.  I love coffee but in the summer it is just miserable to drink a hot cup of joe.  I've spent a lot of time and money at my favorite coffee shop enjoying my favorite iced coffee drinks.  Heck, I buy mocha lattes and frappes and cafe this and that everywhere we go.

Fudgy Walnut Black Bean Brownies

 

Some days it seems a toddler could get a sugar high from just looking at a dessert too long!  I realize we enjoy some pretty decadent foods, but we are always trying to find ways to balance that out.  Desserts that are made without processed sugars are a great choice for us.  Fudgy Walnut Black Bean Brownies are a perfect choice. Decadent and healthy!