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As cicada song signals the end of summer and kids return to classrooms, Labor Day stands as a final celebration of the season.

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During the long weekend, many of us gather with friends and family, whether it’s around the grill, sprawled out for an outdoor picnic, or another summery haunt. If you’re not grabbing a Labor Day special from a Chicago-area restaurant, we’ve got 13 recipes for a holiday meal abundant with late-summer produce, expert grilling and sweet treats.

Savory corn fritters

A platter of savory corn fritters from a Vallery Lomas recipe that leaves the kernels intact, instead of a complete purée.
A platter of savory corn fritters from a Vallery Lomas recipe that leaves the kernels intact, instead of a complete purée.

These corn fritters use fresh, whole kernels mixed with spices, scallions and a simple batter — and you can whip them up in just 30 minutes.

Beyond the bloody mary: Try these brunch cocktails instead

The Garibaldi, built on a frothy Italian mix of red bitter liqueur (usually Campari) and fresh juice, ideal for straddling the line between late-morning beverage and afternoon cocktail.
The Garibaldi, built on a frothy Italian mix of red bitter liqueur (usually Campari) and fresh juice, ideal for straddling the line between late-morning beverage and afternoon cocktail.

If your Labor Day plans include a boozy brunch at home, here are two killer cocktail recipes that go beyond a standard-issue bloody mary. Whether you’re in the mood for a two-ingredient fruity sipper, or a coffee-spiked pick-me-up, we’ve got you covered.

5 batch cocktail recipes perfect for a crowd

Batch recipe cocktails Meadow Mingle, left, and Doli Spritz are seen in Chicago on Friday, May 20, 2022.
Batch recipe cocktails Meadow Mingle, left, and Doli Spritz are seen in Chicago on Friday, May 20, 2022.

The untested limits of homemade batch cocktails make them versatile enough for any occasion or palate, and they’re easy to transport in canteens or 2-liter bottles, or frozen for longer trips in coolers. We asked five Chicago bartenders to come up with their own scalable recipes of tempting tipples for a whole group.

How to grill the perfect steak

Reverse-seared steak.
Reverse-seared steak.

Impress your family and friends with this showstopper entree. Reverse-searing steak offers several advantages over traditional direct grilling over high heat., and if you’re going to splurge on steak, you certainly want to nail it. Reverse-searing is as close to foolproof as grilling a steak gets.

Irresistibly flavorful beef, mushroom and turkey kebabs

Paired with a smoky dry rub, making these kebabs is effortless, but they'll taste like they've been marinating for days.
Paired with a smoky dry rub, making these kebabs is effortless, but they’ll taste like they’ve been marinating for days.

An herby marinade sparked with a little crushed red pepper can add flavor to lean meats and vegetables. A dry seasoning blend that combines smoke, spice and garlic should feature in all steak and rib grill sessions. And after grilling, liberal use of rich, slightly sweet, bronzed butter will add a chef’s touch of flavor and luxury.

These sloppy Joes will appeal to kids and adults alike

The key to cooking sloppy Joes is using a potato masher to break up the beef.
The key to cooking sloppy Joes is using a potato masher to break up the beef.

It’s easy to understand why sloppy Joes are a beloved family favorite. The filling couldn’t be easier to make, and it goes from skillet to table in less than 30 minutes. But there’s also room for improvement.

Grilled ribs and baked beans send up sparks

It may seem like a lot of work goes into buying and cooking the best ribs ever, but this herb-rubbed rib recipe proves that doesn't have to be the case.
It may seem like a lot of work goes into buying and cooking the best ribs ever, but this herb-rubbed rib recipe proves that doesn’t have to be the case.

For holiday indulgence in your own backyard, pull out all the stops and grill a couple of slabs of pork ribs coated in a spicy herb mixture. Pair the ribs with spicy baked beans and you’re ready to go.

Orzo salad with peppers and feta

Orzo salad with peppers and feta.
Orzo salad with peppers and feta.

Piperade, a classic Basque dish of stewed peppers, onions and tomatoes, becomes a flavorful sauce for this pasta — a perfect side dish

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for your outdoor barbecue or picnic.

Summer squash scampi

A summer squash scampi, a new recipe from Ali Slagle, which means it's bathed in the garlicky butter-lemon sauce best known for its role in Italian American shrimp scampi. That sauce goes perfectly with juicy fresh zucchini, and all of it can be tossed with pasta for dinner. Food Stylist: Simon Andrews.
A summer squash scampi, a new recipe from Ali Slagle, which means it’s bathed in the garlicky butter-lemon sauce best known for its role in Italian American shrimp scampi. That sauce goes perfectly with juicy fresh zucchini, and all of it can be tossed with pasta for dinner. Food Stylist: Simon Andrews.

When summer squash is sliced and cooked only part way, it has a juicy snap similar to shrimp, no mushiness. This rendition also maintains the lively flavors of garlic and lemon, which are only slightly mellowed by the residual heat of the sauce. Not a fan? Check out more zucchini recipes here.

Ketchup, mayo, mustard and salsa macha for summertime cookouts

Fresh tomato and bacon ketchup.
Fresh tomato and bacon ketchup.

If you’re the type of host who looks to impress with every last detail of your holiday barbecue, whip up your own homemade condiments for the perfect finishing flair.

3 party pies you can eat with your hands

These bars are a little like cheesecake, but heavy on the fruit. (Food styled by Simon Andrews.)
These bars are a little like cheesecake, but heavy on the fruit. (Food styled by Simon Andrews.)

A golden-domed, syrupy-centered fruit pie may be the ideal dessert to serve at a summer gathering. But for eating out of hand, say, at a Labor Day cookout or picnic, a pie bar is superior.

Mini Key lime pie cups

Key lime cups
Key lime cups

Don’t worry, you don’t have to hunt down key limes for these individually portioned pie cups. Even though these are called “Key lime cups,” this recipe uses regular Persian limes.

Homemade mango Popsicles

This recipe puts the flavors of a mango lassi into a smooth, sweet popsicle.
This recipe puts the flavors of a mango lassi into a smooth, sweet popsicle.

A lassi is a yogurt-based drink that originated in the Punjab region of India. Lassis are often flavored with spices or fruit — mango is very popular. This recipe puts the flavors of a mango lassi into a smooth, sweet Popsicle.

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