Tips and Tricks Post 4

Helpful tips and tricks:

• GRILL FOIL PACKETS If you like to make individual dinners when camping, try this out! On 2 sheets heavy-duty foil, place 2 cabbage leaves, a hamburger patty or marinated chicken breast, and thinly sliced potatoes, carrots and onions. Sprinkle with favorite seasonings. Cooking time varies, but test a packet after about 25 min.
  
• EAT OUTSIDE Plan an alfresco meal for Eat Outside Day (Aug. 31). dine at a park or in your own backyard. Keep it simple with paper plates and napkins, so everyone can enjoy.
  
• LEAVE THE GRILL OUT You can cook almost anything on the grill. With thinly cut meat cooking time is minimal and you can grill veggies, which makes them extra tasty but still super easy!
  
   
• QUICK STEM REMOVAL Push a heavy-duty straw up through a strawberry's bottom. The stem pop's off!
  
• SMOOTH POPS When you make smoothies, always blend up extra so you can freeze the rest for pops! They're so good the kids won't catch on that their pops are healthy!
  
• ENERGIZING SNACK Top Greek yogurt with fresh raspberries and blueberries, a drizzle of honey, toasted walnuts and trail mix.
  
• SIZZLIN' APPLES Put an apple on a cooking stick and roast over hot coals until the peel splits and sizzles. Cool, peel the skin and roll in cinnamon-sugar for a treat.
  
• HAVE JUICER HOT DOGS Cooking out for a crowd? Add water to a large saucepan; simmer 2 garlic cloves; 1 onion, quartered; 1 bay leaf; and hot dogs. Then grill hot dogs as needed and serve. You'll never see another shriveled hot dog left on a platter.
  
• NO MARINADE MADNESS Pour marinade into a resealable plastic bag, add meat and partially seal the bag. Squeeze out excess air, then completely seal the bag. Place on a tray and refrigerate food you'll be marinating for longer than 15 min.
  
• FLOAT TIME Sip a simple float with fresh root beer and your favorite ice cream on, yes, National Root Beer Float Day (Aug. 6)!
  
• SIMPLE SANDWICHES Don't overthink dinner on a busy weeknight. In honor of National Sandwich Month in August, stuff a pita with deli meats and veggies, then pour a creamy salad dressing over the filling for a real flavor boost.