Category Archives: Entertaining Ideas
Ideas for a Picturesque Picnic
Sure we’d all love to be whisked away to the Haleakala National Park in Hawaii, the Jardin des Tuileries in Paris, or one of National Geographic’s other picks for the “World’s Best Picnic Spots.” But all that is really required to be able to enjoy a picturesque picnic is a nice spot outdoors and a little planning. As New York Times writer Mark Bittman puts it, “There is something both innocent and exciting about a picnic, even if you are only packing a few things at the last minute and heading down the street to the park.” So, let’s plan a picnic! We think some of the best advice for a carefree picnic comes from Reader’s Digest, who says, “Take as much finger food as possible.” This way, you can travel light with less plates and sets of silverware! In pursuit of mastering the “fine art of picnic-packing,” Washington Post writer Lavanya Ramanathan inquired from the experts on what foods are the most basket-friendly and any other tricks of the picnic trade. Stick to firmer cheeses, the recommendation was, because they will do well outdoors for hours even in the heat. Then, add fuss-free gourmet touches such as pears, almonds, …
Ideas to Spice Up Memorial Day Cookouts
We’re all about traditions here at Hickory Farms. After all, we’ve been an American tradition for over half a century! But we also love taking traditions and adding fresh flairs to personalize them and make them even more special. So when honoring troops with family and friends this Memorial Day, why not skip the same-old routine, and try to spice it up? A Memorial Day cookout doesn’t have to be the same every year, instead of the regular routes, try one of these creative alternatives. Instead of only relying on flags and red, white and blue dĂ©cor… Incorporate foods and dishes in your Memorial Day menu that show your patriotism. You can also honor a soldier currently overseas by serving up his or her favorite foods. Instead of sticking to only hamburgers and hotdogs… Try throwing unique foods on the grill like salad and fruit. This grilled apple salad from Southern Living looks delicious. And in case you missed it, we recently wrote a post on yummy grilled fruit desserts – be sure to check it out! Instead of an ordinary cooler… Try serving drinks in an unexpected way. We love this creative DIY watermelon cocktail keg idea! Instead of …
Uniquely Delicious Grilled Fruit Desserts
Hamburgers, hot dogs, BBQ chicken, corn on the cob, veggies and … fruit? That’s right! A delicious grilled fruit dessert can elevate a casual cookout into a chic, gourmet grill out. These desserts are not only easy and fun to make but can also be made to combine creative flavors for a uniquely fresh fruit dessert that is sure to wow family and friends – and taste buds! There are tons of yummy grilled fruit dessert recipes out there. Keep it as simple as sliced apples grilled with mint. Or, get creative (and ambitious) and try something spectacular like this apple pie breakfast stack made with grilled apple slices! One grilled apple recipe we thought sounded particularly good was this Baked Apples on the Grill recipe from Taste of Home. All you do is fill cored apples with some raisins, flaked coconut, packed brown sugar, and a little cinnamon. Then, throw them on heavy-duty foil, wrapping over the top and sealing tightly. Grill the apples, covered, for 20 to 25 minutes or until they are tender. Pears and mangoes are great with grill marks, too! We love the sound of the simple yet succulent Grilled Bartlett Pears A La Mode …