The long weekend means that you should do your planning and shopping before Saturday, so you can relax and enjoy the holiday. These easy and delicious recipes and menus will help you make the most of your time off and still feed your family and friends wonderful food. Teach your kids the importance of valuing America's workers, fly your flag, put lots of pop, fizzy water, fruit drinks, and beer in a cooler, and enjoy the holiday with these easy menus!
Friday Night Supper
- Chicken Curry in the Crockpot
I think it's essential that the weekend start off with dinner waiting for you when you get home. This fabulous curry recipe is the perfect meal to start your weekend. - Baked Rice Pilaf
Pair the curry with a baked pilaf that is super easy and so delicious. - crusty french bread and butter
- Chocolate Peanut Butter Crunch Bars
I love this easy bar cookie, and so will your family. A creamy, crunchy, chocolaty topping covers a tender bar cookie. Yum.
Saturday Breakfast
- Blueberry French Toast Bake
Blueberries are so good for you, and so delicious in this overnight breakfast recipe. Serve it with maple syrup and powdered sugar for a wonderful treat. - orange juice, coffee, milk
- Apricot Bavarian Salad
The gorgeous apricot color of this easy gelatin salad will make your breakfast table look like a Monet painting; plus, it's made ahead so you have almost no work in the morning.
Saturday Lunch
- Grilled Ham and Onion Sandwiches
Pull out your George Foreman grill and make these easy sandwiches for a quick lunch. - grapes and melon wedges
- More Chocolate Peanut Butter Crunch Bars (see above)
Saturday Dinner
- Chicken Corn and Black Bean Salad
This is the most beautiful recipe, and it tastes fantastic too. Tender chicken is mixed with a slightly spicy dressing and lots of beans and veggies. - Basil Cheese Breadsticks
These are my favorite way to make bread on the grill. The combination of flavors and textures is fantastic. - Curried Fruit Salad
This salad is fresh and delicious Use the best looking fruits in the market for this easy recipe. - Chocolate Chip Cookie Dough Cheesecake
This menu is turning out to be a collection of my favorites! This delicious cheesecake is the perfect end to this celebratory meal.
Sunday Brunch
- Breakfast Strata
The nice thing about make ahead recipes is that you feel you're one step ahead of the game. It's just so wonderful to wake up knowing breakfast is on the table just by putting something in the oven. - orange juice, coffee, milk
- Frozen Fresh Fruit Salad
This frozen fruit salad is the perfect complement to the hot and savory strata.
Sunday Dinner
- Grilled Chicken with Orange Salsa
This fresh and beautiful entree combines juicy and tender grilled chicken with a sweet and hot salsa. - Grilled Cheese Bread
Use your favorite cheese in this easy, cheesy, melting recipe. - Endive, Pea, and Avocado Salad
I love this salad; the combination of textures and flavors is just perfect. Purchase the avocado on Thursday or Friday so it's ripe today. - Lemonade Pie
Use pink lemonade in this easy recipe for a nice change of pace.
Monday Breakfast
- Crockpot Breakfast Cobbler
Use your crockpot again to make this delicious recipe overnight while you sleep. What luxury. - coffee, orange juice, milk
- Stuffed Peaches
This wonderful old recipe is really the perfect breakfast food; you must make it ahead, and it's sweet, creamy, and cheesy all at once.
Monday Lunch Picnic
- Cheesy Carrot Buns
These perfect sandwich buns have the best flavor and texture. Keep some in your freezer for last minute picnics! - sandwich fixings: luncheon meat, Sandwich Spreads, lettuce, tomatoes
- potato chips and tortilla chips
- Ranger Crispy Cookies
These cookies are the perfect picnic food. They pack and travel well, and the flavors are wonderful.
Labor Day Cookout Dinner
- Bacon Stuffed Cherry Tomatoes
Use tomatoes from your garden for this perfect appetizer. - Marinated Steak
A simple marinade is a wonderful way to make an inexpensive cut of meat into a juicy, savory steak. - Fresh Corn Salad
I love the flavor and texture of this lovely salad; you will too! - In a Hurry Potato Salad
Frozen hash brown potatoes, with a special dressing, make a spectacular potato salad with very little work. - Ribbon Angel Food Sherbet Cake
This light and luscious dessert is the perfect end to your holiday weekend.
