Archive for the ‘Picnic’ Category

Fun Barbecue Dishes That Are Not Steak or Chicken

Wednesday, November 9th, 2011

There are some dishes that are so synonymous with barbecue that any outdoor meal without them would seem strange. Nice big juicy steaks and scrumptious chicken wings certainly fall into this category. They are traditional necessities that can definitely make or break a great barbecue meal. Everyone has their own way of bringing steak and chicken to perfection over the grill, and some recipes are passed down from generation to generation. While it’s important to appreciate these classic meats in the world of barbecue, it’s nice to introduce new elements from time to time as well. There’s nothing worse than a boring barbecue menu that your guests will be able to predict every time they come over. That’s why we’ve taken the time to suggest a few wonderful barbecue dishes that are easy to prepare and absolutely drool-worthy. Most importantly, they don’t involve steak or chicken!

BBQ pizza – some of you have never even prepared pizza in your regular oven so it might seem strange to think about doing it in your barbecue. But if you want an absolutely flavorful pizza with the perfect crust, there’s no better way to do it than with your outdoor grill. You can also involve kids in the process because they’re going to love an opportunity to pick and choose their favorite toppings. Best of all, it doesn’t have to take a long time and before long you can have a fully loaded pizza with crispy crust. (more…)

Healthy Options for a Fourth of July Party

Tuesday, June 8th, 2010

Many families enjoy holding a Fourth of July party. America’s birthday is known for great gatherings and celebrations across the country and beyond. Whether enjoying the fireworks or just each other’s company, this is a great time to spend with your friends and family.

But lots of Fourth of July parties can feature unhealthy treats that most of us would prefer to avoid. Even if you aren’t actually on a diet, many today are health conscious and don’t want to eat smoked meats from the barbecue grill or high calorie desserts. So what are you going to serve at your Fourth of July party to keep everyone fed and happy? Here are some tempting options that will keep a crowd satisfied – and coming back to your house next year for more!
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Picnic Tips

Wednesday, June 24th, 2009

Summertime is picnic time. One of the biggest challenges with picnics is transporting and storing the food. Some types of foods are better than others. While many foods are delicious, it is best to choose foods you don’t think will spill or spoil in the hot sun. A picnic should be enjoyed and not remembered as a troublesome event.

Sandwiches are one of the easiest picnic foods. You don’t have to make your sandwiches boring and everyday. Try some unique ingredients like a fancy mustard or hot peppers. Think of your favorite sandwich combinations to order at the deli and all of the little ingredients they add to make them special.

Food storage is one of the biggest challenges with picnics. Always try to choose a picnic spot that has some shade so you can put the food in the shade. Remember that the sun will move and the shade won’t last. Add ice packs to your picnic hamper to keep things cold. Things should be sealed tightly to keep them dry and also to keep things cool. Remember: when in doubt – throw it out!

Sweet desserts are a great idea for picnics. Try making homemade cookies, brownies or even a pie as a special treat. Most of us don’t bake all the time so this will be something special to be enjoyed.

Some picnic foods are quite popular – but they are actually the hardest to store and run the risk of spoiling. Potato salad and macaroni salad are beloved picnic foods but also have mayonnaise in them and also can be quite messy if they spill. Try packing tabuli salad or couscous instead which won’t spoil and are far less messy.