In the spring, Memorial Day grillers are eager to get back to making their favorite burgers. On the Fourth of July, the hot dog reigns supreme with more cooked and eaten than on any other day of the year.
By Labor Day, which is coming up on Monday, home grillers again are experts, and anything goes for holiday gatherings as long as it’s something you like.
After choosing a protein, it’s time to pick side dishes and dessert, and this is the time of year when the local harvest is at its peak. Simple sliced tomatoes and corn on the cob are easy and tasty, and we have to eat our fill now while they are available. In addition, there are plenty of other vegetables available for grilling or to use in salads including zucchini, yellow squash, onions, eggplant and peppers.
It’s been an outstanding season for peaches and nectarines so stop at your favorite farm to pick up some for pies, crisps and cobblers, or serve them sliced over ice cream (I prefer vanilla, but any flavor is good).
Early apple varieties are available at some farms, as well as plums and pears, all of which work well in fruit salads and baked goods.
For a different and easy dessert, this plum cake recipe from tasteofhome.com fits the bill. And have a great holiday weekend!
½ cup butter, softened
½ cup plus 1 tablespoon sugar, divided
2 eggs
1 teaspoon vanilla extract
1 cup all-purpose flour
1 teaspoon baking powder
¼ teaspoon salt
3 cups sliced fresh or frozen plums (about 1 ¾ pounds fresh)
¼ teaspoon ground cinnamon
TOPPING:
½ cup all-purpose flour
¼ cup sugar
¼ cup cold butter, cubed
3 tablespoons chopped walnuts, optional
1. In a large bowl, cream butter and ½ cup sugar until light and fluffy. Add eggs, one at a time, beating well after each addition. Beat in vanilla. Combine the flour, baking powder and salt; add to creamed mixture and mix well.
2. Transfer to a greased 9-inch square baking dish. Top with plums. Combine cinnamon and remaining sugar; sprinkle over plums.
3. For topping, in a small bowl, combine flour and sugar; cut in butter until mixture resembles coarse crumbs. Stir in walnuts if desired. Sprinkle over top.
4. Bake at 350 degrees for 50 to 55 minutes or until topping is golden brown and plums are tender. Cool on a wire rack.
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