Ina Garten Just Dropped Her Make-Ahead Labor Day Menu, and Our Weekend Plans Are Set
With the summer season coming to a close, it's OK to feel a little bit of sadness as the days get shorter and the warm weather disappears. The silver lining though? Taking advantage of these last summer nights by making delicious meals that double as the perfect send off to the season. And with Labor Day weekend upon us, what better time than now to bask in the glory of a beautifully home cooked meal with friends and family?
In a recent post to her personal Instagram, Ina Garten shared what she created for her Labor Day menu, and the results just made us scrap our entire weekend plan. In her caption, the Food Network star mentions that when the summer season comes to an end, she “starts to panic that the farm stands won't have all of their gorgeous produce soon.” So in an attempt to hang on to the last shreds of the season, the Barefoot Contessa announced her Labor Day menu which uses “local ingredients before they’re all gone!”
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Wondering what kind of delicious eats can be found on Garten’s menu? For starters, the menu would be nothing without refreshments, and her Rosé Sangria is the perfect fit. A batch can be made in the morning and sit in the fridge until guests arrive.
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Next up is the Summer Skillet with Clams, Sausage & Corn. The recipe of which she chose as her main photo in her post, the Summer Skillet looks so beautiful and appetizing, you won't want to ruin the display by digging into it. This part of the menu should be prepped ahead of time and cooked in the 20 minutes before dinner, as per instructed by Garten.
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As an appetizer, Garten included her Heirloom Tomato & Blue Cheese Salad to the already fantastic lineup. This easy recipe not only comes together in just a couple of minutes, but it also makes the perfect precursor to the Summer Skillet.
Last, but certainly not least, a menu wouldn't be complete without a decadent dessert to boot, and Garten’s Fig & Ricotta Cake does more than just fit the bill. The moist and fluffy texture of the cake pairs perfectly with your favorite ice cream or “crème fraiche,” as was recommended by Garten herself.
No matter how you decide to spend the final days of the season, one thing is for certain: Ina Garten certainly has your back with fantastic meal ideas that will have you thinking outside of the box. And just because summer is coming to a close, it doesn't negate the fact that there are two more seasons of delicious meals left to explore this year. Enjoy!
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