Labor-LESS Weekend

It's Labor Day weekend and that means we are marking the end of summer (sigh) and moving into fall. Spending the weekend with friends and family at a laid-back and casual get together is perfectly appropriate. Make it special yet effortless with these no-cook recipes that require little prep time so you can enjoy a labor-less day.

Spiked Ice Tea (Photo from Martha Stewart)

Ice tea makes the perfect beverage because it's easy and refreshing. Spike it for an adult treat or leave it simply sweet for younger ones. Make your own or buy a pre-made version and try adding lemon, mint, or sliced peaches to dress it up. Add rum, bourbon, or vodka if you please and serve in mason jars or a big pitcher. Cheers!

Feta Truffles: Recipe from Southern Living

Serve these no-cook little treats with grape tomatoes, almonds, cucumbers, olives, and pita chips for a pretty yet easy appetizer. Want to make it even easier? Simply cut cubes of feta and toss with olive oil, lemon, fresh herbs, and red pepper flakes and serve it up on a platter with pitas and veggies.

Yin Yang Sandwiches: Recipe from Real Simple

Making one large sandwich on a loaf of ciabatta or french bread means less prep time for you. Simply prepare sandwich ahead of time and slice up when it's time to eat! This one combines salami, ham, and provolone, but you can use whatever you prefer or have on hand. Using a store-bought rotisserie chicken also works great for a quick chicken salad.

Corn, tomato, and avocado salad: Recipe from Martha Stewart

A corn salad like this one makes a great side dish for your sandwiches and takes advantage of all the in-season produce. You can also add black beans or jalapenos for a kick.

Mini Yogurt Pies (Image from Stephanie's Kitchen)

We've been making this recipe for years and it seriously couldn't get easier. While the original is made in a full size graham cracker crust, we love the individual crusts they are selling now. Use whatever yogurt flavor you want and top with fresh fruit for an extra little touch. Take out the pies about 15 mins prior to serving so they're not too firm. Get the recipe here from Kraft Recipes.

Posh Paddy's Day Party

Plastic shamrocks, leprechaun hats, and green beer... snore! St. Patrick's day is a fun holiday to celebrate, but you have to admit it can be a bit cheesy! This year celebrating it can be different! Here are some fun and creative ways to create a posh little Paddy's Day party! After all, it falls on a Saturday this year, so no excuses!

First and foremost, what are you going to eat? Serve up some of these treats that are inspired by the Irish holiday, but not so obvious.

Shamrock Pretzels: Recipe click here

Bowls of "green" salted edamame

Irish Blue Cheese fondue: recipe from Martha Stewart

For dessert serve Bailey's tiramisu or ice cream floats made with a stout like Guiness. You could also do root beer for non drinkers or kids.

Baileys Tiramisu click for recipe

Stout ice cream float: recipe here

Drinks can be beer, mojitos, or basil martinis. They can either be homemade or store bought. If you don't want to play bartender all night, purchase a variety of bottled beers like Harp and Smithwicks or pre-made cocktails like Skinny Girl Mojitos. You can still add some flair with these free printable labels or you can make your own. You could also attach them to rainbow colored fruit sodas for a non-alcoholic option. For an added festive touch, garnish mojitos and basil martinis with punched out clovers!

Basil was punched here, but you can also do the same with mint using a scrapbooking hole punch.

Labels printed from Printable Paperie

"Rainbow" non alcoholic drink buffet

Send guests home with simple favors like bags full or green candy like m&m's and gummi frogs, pouches of chocolate gold coins or cute and useful mini hand sanitizers.

Mini gummi frogs

Gold coin chocolates

Mini sanitizer from Bath & Body Works

For more ideas, check out our St. Patty's Day pin board on Pinterest. 

Bite by Bite

They always say that good things come in small packages, right? Well we think so. When we came across the book Bite by Bite by Peter Callahan we were instantly blown away. It not only features the most adorable and yummy creations you have ever seen, but it shows you how to make them. Everyone loves comfort food and what's better than serving them up in sophistication. His talent is truly impressive. After trying some of the recipes included in the book we found them to be delicious and fairly easy to make. They do require a little patience, but the effort is totally worth it. As Tim Gunn would say, "Major wow-factor!"

Here's some of our favorite treats, but we seriously urge you to order the book from Amazon. It's so cool you'll want to keep it on your coffee table instead of with the rest of your cookbooks.

tequila & tacos

mini hot dogs

tuna tartar in plantain cones

bbq chicken

cotty candy & mini fudgesicles