"No Labor" Day BBQ! Easy as Pie!
We know what you're probably thinking, how can you combine "no labor" with hosting a party? Well, you can and it's really easy as pie. Pizza pie that is!
Although September 21st is the official end of summer, everyone considers Labor Day the last hoorah. So plan to host a Labor Day BBQ that is true to the spirit behind this holiday. Labor Day was established as a national holiday to honor our nation's workforce and give it a day of rest — it really should be called "No Labor Day." Further, after a summer of hamburgers and hot dogs, Labor Day is the perfect day to try an "untraditional" BBQ that showcases summer's abundant and delicious produce and puts a twist on a favorite communal meal, pizza. The added bonus of this party is that it's an affordable way to entertain a crowd outdoors and that means no oven, dishwasher or mess inside.
Before we're all thrown back into the hectic pace of "real life" that comes alone with the school year, make the most of the upcoming three-day-weekend. Celebrate the last few lazy days of summer with a "Make Your Own" Pizza BBQ that's all about ease and simplicity — remember NO labor. Invite your guests to become Pizzaiolos for the day, as they create and grill their own pizzas. Enjoy turning your grill into a pizza oven, shopping the local produce stand for farm fresh fruits and vegetables for toppings, and transforming your backyard into an alfresco neighborhood pizza parlor.
Here are some tips for hosting:
1. Purchase pizza dough from your local pizzeria. Although they don't advertise it, many pizzerias will sell it to you by the pound if you ask. Making pizza dough for a crowd is labor intensive, so save yourself the work.
2. When grilling pizza, use a well-oiled grill topper to cook the dough. Watch it carefully as it cooks, as it can burn quickly. You may want to test a few small pieces of dough and adjust the heat accordingly.
3. Cook the dough first, then add toppings, and heat through on the grill.
4. Enjoy a variety of fresh produce, including herbs, on your grilled pizza. Use muffin tins to keep the toppings organized for guests. You can cut everything ahead of time and store in the fridge. When you set the toppings out at the BBQ, sit them in a glass Pyrex dish with ice to keep them cold.
5. Use the extra produce you buy for the pizza toppings to create colorful centerpieces, and add some sunflowers.
6. Serve cool Chianti, your favorite beer (I like Peroni for this party) and pitches of lemonade.
7. Use paper products just like the pizzeria so clean up is a snap.
8. Send guests home with the leftover pizza in boxes. You can buy them from our local pizzeria.
For more ideas and inspirations on celebrating life, visit The Partybluprints Blog.
