Labor Day weekend is almost here. I can barely believe it! Where has summer gone??
Because I’m in denial that summer is over, I’ve been trying to do as many summery things as possible lately. I’ve been wearing white, playing tennis, eating ice cream, drinking frosty drinks, going to the drive in and spending as much time outside as possible.
(My condo is near the Chicago River Walk, so I’ve been squeezing in some walks here at the end of the work day. There are restaurants, ice cream shops, boat docks and more. It almost feels like a little vacation town!)
I’ve also been cooking on the grill a lot this summer.
I’m really going to miss the grill when the weather gets cold. The grill makes cooking so easy, and for a beginner chef like me, the simpler and easier a meal, the better. The grill is also really versatile. While burgers and hot dogs are great, it’s fun to get a little creative at a BBQ.
If you’re hosting a cookout this Labor Day and want to go beyond the classic burgers, brats and hot dogs, why not try kabobs?
Kabobs are colorful, simple to make, fun to eat and sure to please any palette.
I made these beauties a few weeks ago. The two in the front have steak, zucchini, and yellow and red peppers. The two in the back have shrimp, onion and pineapple.
One of my favorite treats this summer has been grilled pineapple. You may think pineapple can’t get any better than it already is, but there’s something about the grill that makes the fruit taste even sweeter. Pair it with shrimp, and you’ll feel like you’re on the beach!
The great thing about kabobs is that you can mix and match any meat and veggies you please. You can even set up a bar with all of your ingredients so guests can build their own ‘bobs.
Simply cut your favorite meat and veggies into large pieces, skewer them and pop them on the grill. Just remember to soak the skewers in water for at least 20 minutes before you build your kabobs and put them on the grill. This will prevent the skewers from catching fire. (Yikes!)
Need some ideas for your kabob bar? Consider these:
Meat and fish:
- Steak
- Chicken
- Pork
- Shrimp
Marinate the meat and fish in your favorite marinade for maximum flavor.
Veggies:
- Zucchini
- Red, green and yellow peppers
- Onion
- Squash
- Pineapple (OK, this isn’t a veggie, but it’s delish!)
- Mushrooms (Also not a veggie, but go with me here.)
- Baby potatoes
- Corn on the cob
- Cherry tomatoes
What are your favorite combinations? Do you have a favorite marinade? Share your grilling tips and recipes in the comments!
Have a happy Labor Day!
Kabobs! Great for grilling! Hard to believe summer is almost over!
Thanks for stopping by Melanie:) Have a great holiday weekend!