End-of-Summer Recipe

Labor Day is a bittersweet time of the year. It marks the unofficial end of the summer entertaining season. Shortly thereafter, the school year will begin anew and you could be thinking about retiring the barbecue for the season.

Whether you've hosted a dozen barbecues this summer or none at all, Labor Day is a time when family and friends can gather for good food and enjoy the extended weekend together. It's also the perfect time for a pot luck celebration where you ask every guest to bring one item to the festivities. You'll save on time in the kitchen as the host or hostess, and everyone will get to sample the delicious foods guest create.

For a light and flavorful contribution to Labor Day festivities, try this "Guilt-Free Ambrosia Salad." In the realm of Greek mythology, ambrosia was the food and drink of the gods. Today it is the name given to a sweet fruit dessert salad popularized in the American south. This version substitutes low-fat yogurt for the more calorie-laden sour cream of traditional recipes.

Guilt-Free Ambrosia Salad

1 large (16 oz) container low-fat vanilla yogurt

1 can Mandarin orange segments (2 if the cans are small)

1 can peach slices in pear juice

1/2 cup dried coconut

1 cup seedless grapes

1 can cubed pineapple

Drain the juice from all of the fruit and place in a large bowl. Add the yogurt and coconut and stir to evenly distribute.

Chill in the refrigerator and serve cold.