Originally published August 25, 2007 at 12:00 AM | Page modified August 25, 2007 at 2:02 AM
Recipe for a long holiday: lots of food, light on the labor
Labor Day is such a nice respite — a three-day opportunity to enjoy one last barbecue before leaves start changing, daylight-saving time ends...
St. Louis Post-Dispatch
Labor Day is such a nice respite — a three-day opportunity to enjoy one last barbecue before leaves start changing, daylight-saving time ends and holiday decorations start appearing in stores.
When Labor Day began more than 120 years ago, it was a celebration of the worker and the prosperity the labor force brings to the country. That's the sentiment that inspired our labor-free party — a day off from prep work, housework and cleanup.
The holiday has become associated with cookouts, so we kept that barbecue theme but went nontraditional by having guests grill their own pizzas. Having the party outdoors means little, if any, pre-party housecleaning and minimal cleanup afterward.
Serve the grilled pizza with store-bought salad mix and a simple dessert like ice-cream bars for the kind of relaxing party where both the hosts and guests enjoy each other's company.
If grilling sounds like too much effort, have pizzas delivered.
GRILLED PIZZA
A grill can give a pizza a great smoky flavor without a lot of effort. Here's an easy, fun way to involve guests in making the pizzas:
Crust: Pizza dough may be easy to make, but it's even easier to buy from the grocer's refrigerated case or in a can. The dough can be rolled or stretched to make two 8-inch pizzas and goes well with store-bought pizza sauce.
Toppings: Set out a tray with shredded cheeses, sliced tomatoes, onions and peppers, pepperoni and grilled chicken.
Also consider using some unexpected toppings such as fontina, sun-dried tomatoes, capers, pesto, pears or shrimp. If desired, give prepared pizzas a splash of olive oil and a sprinkling of dried oregano.
Preparation: Brush or spray the grill with oil. Have guests stretch the dough into 8-inch crusts. Let the guests know that it is OK if the crusts don't look pizzeria perfect.
Cook one side of the dough on the grill for 1 to 2 minutes, until the bottom starts to brown. With a metal spatula or tongs, turn the crust over, then cook the other side for another 1 to 2 minutes. Quickly add the sauce and toppings. Cook until the cheese melts and the bottom is as crispy as the guest desires.
![]()
Tip: Empty a jar of pizza sauce into a pot and leave it on the top rack of the grill. The warm sauce will help melt the cheese.
OTHER NO-LABOR PARTY IDEAS
Marlene Holloway, author of "Let's Have Company" ($19.95, Partners Pub Group), suggests these other low-prep, low-stress, low-cleanup parties.
• Tea party: Water is pretty low-maintenance. Have guests bring sandwiches or petits fours. "All you have to do is make the tea," Holloway says.
• Ice-cream social: A buffet of cones, syrups and ice cream can be a nonstress party for children and adults. Kids can drown their ice cream in root beer, while adults use a shot of espresso to make affogatto.
• Guilty-pleasure potluck: Share with others what they are missing from the drive-thru. Have each of your guests bring a sampler from their favorite fast-food restaurant. The host provides the drinks. There's no need for plates — just ask for extra napkins.
Copyright © 2007 The Seattle Times Company
NEW - 03:55 PM
Unhappy Hipsters' parody Web site is a hit
Buyers seek smarter and smaller homes, survey says
Collectors drink up beer cans and memorabilia
Is it too late to enroll in Medicare Part B?
Step away from the altar: Book explores why some enter doomed marriages

nwautos
Associated Press Study: Fatal crashes down in Washington Last year Washington's roads were the scene of the fewest fatal crashes since 1955. According...
Post a comment
nwjobs
Post a comment
Michelle Goodman blogs about work/life balance.
Five reasons to stick with a job you hate -- for now
Post a comment
- Alaska Air dropping Jones Soda beverages, going back to Coca-Cola
- Man found shot dead in pickup truck in Seattle
- Seattle is first U.S. stop for Picasso exhibit
- Husky Football Blog | Pac-10 expansion to get consideration over next year
- State Senate votes to clear way for tax increases
- Idol Confessions | "American Idol" hopeful from Seattle didn't make it to Hollywood afterall
- Belltown boulevard could be completed by early next year
- Nicole Brodeur | Chrisceda Clemmons' house wasn't the only casualty
- Brier Dudley's Blog | Google rolls its own Facebook & Twitter with Gmail "Buzz"
- Sex, drug rumors swirl about N.Y. Gov. Paterson
- Republicans may be no-shows at health-plan summit
278 - State Senate votes to clear way for tax increases
250 - Pac-10 expansion to get consideration over next year
249 - Lee undergoes foot surgery
231 - Obama: GOP and Dems together can spur job growth
210 - Fort Lewis soldier charged with abusing 4-year-old, holding her head in water
193 - Rivals names Martin one of Pac-10's best recruiters
143 - Belltown boulevard could be completed by early next year
127 - Bus-tunnel attack while guards watched prompts review of Metro security
118 - White House mocks Sarah Palin from podium
91
- Seattle is first U.S. stop for Picasso exhibit
- Belltown boulevard could be completed by early next year
- 747-8 soars smoothly on first outing
- Wine Adviser | Oregon's quality pinots join the bargain ranks
- Alaska Air dropping Jones Soda beverages, going back to Coca-Cola
- Snap out of your photo funk: How to make sense of all those piles of images
- How clean are those pre-washed salad greens?
- Answers to biggest Olympic TV questions
- Brier Dudley's Blog | Google rolls its own Facebook & Twitter with Gmail "Buzz"
- Jerry Brewer | Huskies softball pitcher Danielle Lawrie: A star on the field, not in her mind








