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Community Corner

Patch Picks: Labor Day Recipes & Grocery Store Bargains

"I believe in the dignity of labor, whether with head or hand; that the world owes no man a living but that it owes every man an opportunity to make a living". –John D. Rockefeller

Labor Day Weekend! If you’re not familiar with the history of Labor Day, you may wonder what it's all about. Some see it as a way to celebrate the end of summer. Sports-minded individuals say it marks the beginning of the NFL and college football seasons. Yet this day is actually dedicated to most of you reading this – you, the American worker, and your achievements.

This weekend is sweet and bittersweet for me. The sweet: no work on Monday; the bittersweet: Labor Day marks the end of summer. Many have headed to the beach, most will have a BBQ, thousands will soak up the last rays of the summer sun, others will spend the day at the pool and so much more. If you are like me, I am excited to break out my cookbook and prepare some tasty Labor Day dishes.

Here are our top “Patch” Pick Labor Day recipes and were you can get the ingredients…..

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Killer Bacon-Cheese Dogs

Ingredients

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  • 8 slices bacon
  • 8 all-beef hot dogs
  • 8 hot dog buns
  • 8 slices Swiss cheese
  • 1/2 cup barbeque sauce, or amount to taste
  • 1 small red onion, diced

Directions

  • 1. Preheat an outdoor grill for medium-high heat. Lightly oil grate, and set 4 inches from the heat.
  • 2. Place the bacon in a large, deep skillet. Cook over medium-high heat until evenly brown. Drain on paper towels.
  • 3. Place hot dogs on grill; cook until browned, 5 to 8 minutes, turning once, or until done to suit your taste. Lightly grill hot dog buns.
  • 4. To assemble sandwiches, place a slice of cheese and bacon on each roll. Add a hot dog, top each with 1 tablespoon barbeque sauce, or desired amount, and red onion.

: 229 Kentlands Boulevard: The Giant branch, located in the Kentlands area of Gaithersburg, is a full-service grocery store. It includes a bakery, butcher, pharmacy, florist, in-store chef, deli, Western Union and RedBox DVD rental kiosk.

Labor Day Deal: Ball Bark Beef Franks – Buy One, Get One Free & Alpine Swiss Cheese is on sale for $7.99/lb in the deli.

 

Summer Corn Salad

Ingredients

  • 6 ears corn, husked and cleaned
  • 3 large tomatoes, diced
  • 1 large onion, diced
  • 1/4 cup chopped fresh basil
  • 1/4 cup olive oil
  • 2 tablespoons white vinegar
  • salt and pepper to taste

Directions

  • 1. Bring a large pot of lightly salted water to a boil. Cook corn in boiling water for 7 to 10 minutes, or until desired tenderness. Drain, cool, and cut kernels off the cob with a sharp knife.
  • 2. In a large bowl, toss together the corn, tomatoes, onion, basil, oil, vinegar, salt and pepper. Chill until serving.

: 602 Quince Orchard Road: This location, in Quince Orchard Plaza, features a deli, bakery, butcher, florist and an excellent beer and wine selection.

Labor Day Deal: Red Ripe Cluster Tomatoes are $1.48/lb and Sweetie Sweets Yellow Onions are $.98/lb. 

 

Marinated Flank Steak

Ingredients

  • 1/2 cup vegetable oil1/3 cup soy sauce
  • 1/4 cup red wine vinegar
  • 2 tablespoons fresh lemon juice
  • 1 1/2 tablespoons Worcestershire sauce
  • 1 tablespoon Dijon mustard
  • 2 cloves garlic, minced
  • 1/2 teaspoon ground black pepper
  • 1 1/2 pounds flank steak

Directions

  • 1. In a medium bowl, mix the oil, soy sauce, vinegar, lemon juice, Worcestershire sauce, mustard, garlic, and ground black pepper. Place meat in a shallow glass dish. Pour marinade over the steak, turning meat to coat thoroughly. Cover, and refrigerate for 6 hours.
  • 2. Preheat grill for medium-high heat.
  • 3. Oil the grill grate. Place steaks on the grill, and discard the marinade. Grill meat for 5 minutes per side, or to desired doneness.

: 12251 Darnestown Road: This location is open late and includes a bakery, deli, floral, meat, pharmacy, produce and seafood.

Labor Day Deal: Safeway carries “Ranchers Reserve” products. The Flank Steak is $8.99/lb this weekend.

 

Southern Peach Cobbler

Ingredients

  • 8 fresh peaches - peeled, pitted and sliced into thin wedges1/4 cup white sugar
  • 1/4 cup brown sugar
  • 1/4 teaspoon ground cinnamon
  • 1/8 teaspoon ground nutmeg
  • 1 teaspoon fresh lemon juice
  • 2 teaspoons cornstarch
  • 1 cup all-purpose flour
  • 1/4 cup white sugar
  • 1/4 cup brown sugar
  • 1 teaspoon baking powder
  • 1/2 teaspoon salt
  • 6 tablespoons unsalted butter, chilled and cut into small pieces
  • 1/4 cup boiling water

 Mix Together

  • 3 tablespoons white sugar
  • 1 teaspoon ground cinnamon

Directions

  • 1. Preheat oven to 425 degrees F (220 degrees C).
  • 2. In a large bowl, combine peaches, 1/4 cup white sugar, 1/4 cup brown sugar, 1/4 teaspoon cinnamon, nutmeg, lemon juice, and cornstarch. Toss to coat evenly, and pour into a 2 quart baking dish. Bake in preheated oven for 10 minutes.
  • 3. Meanwhile, in a large bowl, combine flour, 1/4 cup white sugar, 1/4 cup brown sugar, baking powder, and salt. Blend in butter with your fingertips, or a pastry blender, until mixture resembles coarse meal. Stir in water until just combined.
  • 4. Remove peaches from oven, and drop spoonfuls of topping over them. Sprinkle entire cobbler with the sugar and cinnamon mixture. Bake until topping is golden, about 30 minutes.

: 833 Russell Avenue: Bloom offers top-of-the-line gourmet foods and everyday grocery needs.
Labor Day Deal: Watermelons are $4.99 each at Bloom this weekend. 


Cool Watermelon Slushes

Ingredients

  • 6 ice cubes
  • 2 cups cubed seeded watermelon
  • 1 teaspoon honey

Directions

  • 1. Place the ice cubes into a blender. Cover, and pulse until crushed. Add the watermelon and blend for about 1 minute, until slushy. Add the honey, and blend for about 10 seconds.
  • Note: Calories: 28 | Total Fat: 0.1g | Cholesterol: 0mg

: 22200 Davis Mill Road: Butler's Orchard offers an array of local products, including: strawberries, blackberries, raspberries, white and yellow peaches, plums, apples, onions, potatoes, sweet corn, sugar pears, tomatoes, summer squash and watermelons.
Labor Day Deal: SPECIAL ON PEACHES - White and Yellow Freestone Peaches on special this Sunday & Monday $25 for 1/2 bushel - great time to can, freeze and enjoy lots of fresh peaches. 


If you are local today, join the City of Gaithersburg for the . Did you know the first Labor Day parade in New York City was held in September 1982?

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