Wednesday, May 27, 2009

PASTA SALAD

2 boxes (8 c. water) colored pasta (any shape)
1 pkg. sm. pepperoni (sliced in half, optional)
1 bunch broccoli, cut stems
1 lg. bottle oily Italian dressing
2 to 3 c. mayonnaise
Garlic to taste (optional)

Boil water; cook pasta until done; drain. Chill in the refrigerator untilcold or ready to prepare. Blend mayonnaise, garlic and Italian dressing together; blend well; set aside. Add broccoli and pepperoni and then mayonnaise mixture. Mix well. If too dry, add more Italian dressing. Serves 50 people.

Monday, May 11, 2009

Strawberry cream Freeze

INGREDIENTS
1 (8 ounce) package PHILADELPHIA Cream Cheese, softened
1 cup cold milk
1 (3.4 ounce) package JELL-O Vanilla Flavor Instant Pudding
1 1/2 cups thawed COOL WHIP Whipped Topping
20 NILLA Wafers, coarsely broken
1 cup sliced fresh strawberries
1/2 cup strawberry ice cream topping

DIRECTIONS
Beat cream cheese in large bowl with mixer until creamy. Gradually beat in milk. Add dry pudding mix; beat 2 min. Stir in COOL WHIP, wafers and berries. Swirl in ice cream topping.
Serve it your way!
PIE: Spread filling into 6-oz. OREO Pie Crust. Freeze 6 hours or until firm. Garnish with additional berries, if desired. Makes 8 servings.
MINI PIES: Spoon filling into 12 cupcake liners. Freeze 4 hours. Remove paper linings. Garnish desserts with additional berries, if desired. Makes 12 servings.
WAFFLE BOWLS: Freeze filling 6 hours or until firm. Let stand 15 min. before scooping into waffle bowls. Makes 8 servings.
FOOTNOTES
Size-Wise: Sweets can be part of a balanced diet but remember to keep tabs on portions.
How to Thaw COOL WHIP Whipped Topping: The best way to thaw frozen COOL WHIP Whipped Topping is in its container in the refrigerator. Depending on the size tub you have, the thawing time varies. Recommended thawing times are: 8-oz. tub - 4 hours; 12-oz. tub - 5 hours; 16-oz. tub - 6 hours. We DO NOT recommend thawing COOL WHIP Whipped Topping in the microwave.
Storing COOL WHIP: Keep a tub of COOL WHIP Whipped Topping in the freezer to use as an easy dessert topping, as a last-minute frosting for cakes or for spooning over cut-up fresh fruit. Once thawed, the whipped topping should be refrigerated and used within 2 weeks. For longer storage, COOL WHIP Whipped Topping can be re-frozen up to five times.

Watermelon Pops

INGREDIENTS
1 cup sugar
1 (3 ounce) package JELL-O Lime Flavor Gelatin
2 cups boiling water, divided
Ice cubes
1 cup cold water, divided
1 (3 ounce) package JELL-O Strawberry Flavor Gelatin
3 tablespoons miniature semi-sweet chocolate chips
4 ounces PHILADELPHIA Cream Cheese, softened
1 1/2 cups thawed COOL WHIP Whipped Topping

DIRECTIONS
Mix 1/3 cup sugar and lime gelatin mix in medium bowl. Add 1 cup boiling water; stir 2 min. until completely dissolved. Add enough ice to 1/2 cup cold water to measure 3/4 cup. Add to lime gelatin; stir until ice is completely melted. Refrigerate 25 min.
Meanwhile, repeat Step 1 using strawberry gelatin mix and omitting the refrigeration step. Pour into 16 (3-oz.) paper cups. Freeze 20 min. Stir 1/2 tsp. chocolate chips into gelatin in each cup.
Beat cream cheese and remaining sugar with mixer in medium bowl until well blended. Stir in COOL WHIP; spread over gelatin in cups.
Pour lime gelatin over cream cheese mixture. Insert wooden pop stick into gelatin in center of each cup. Freeze 3 hours or until firm. Remove pops from cups just before serving.
FOOTNOTES
Note: Look for wooden pop sticks in craft or hobby stores. If you don't have pop sticks, you can use plastic spoons for handles instead.
How to Easily Remove Frozen Pops from Cups: Dip cups in warm water for 15 sec. Peel off cups. (Do not twist or pull pop sticks.)

Monday, May 4, 2009

Peanut Butter & Jelly S'more

Ingredients
2 Graham Crackers
Strawberry or Grape Preserves/Jelly
Peanut Butter
Marshmallow Fluff

Steps
Spread one graham cracker with the preserves and the other with the peanut butter.
Either add the marshmallow fluff between the peanut butter and jelly, or add it on top.
Devour!

Saturday, May 2, 2009

Heavenly Cheesecake Squares

What You Need:
5 tbsp butter, room temperature
1/3 c granulated brown sugar substitute
1 c oat flour
1 pkg. (8 oz) cream cheese, room temperature
1/2 c granulated sugar substitute
1 egg
2 tbsp heavy cream
1/2 tsp. vanilla extract
1 tbsp lemon juice

How to Make It:
Place the butter, brown sugar substitute and the flour in a large mixing bowl.
Use a fork and mix the ingredients together until it becomes very crumbly.
Remove 1 c of the mix and set aside for later use.
Preheat the oven to 350 degrees.
Spray a square baking pan with a non stick cooking spray.
Press the mixture into the bottom of the prepared baking pan.
Bake 12 minutes.
Remove and set aside for later use.
Mix the cream cheese and sugar substitute together in a bowl with an electric mixer until very smooth.
Beat in the egg until combined well.
Place the heavy cream, vanilla extract and lemon juice into the mixture.
Beat until mixture begins to thicken.
Use a rubber spatula and spread the mixture over the baked crust.
Top with the 1 c of reserved crumble mixture.
Bake 25 minutes.
Remove from the oven and allow cooling slightly.
Cover and refrigerate 2 hours before cutting into squares.

These squares are a delightful addition to any picnic. Instead of the crumble mixture on top, try fresh berries for a change of pace.

Picnic Pitas

This light, elegant dish provides a welcome change to the usual picnic fare. Best of all, it can be made a day ahead.

Ingredients

3 tbsp. balsamic or red wine vinegar
2 tsp. olive oil
1/4 cup fresh, chopped basil
1 small eggplant, sliced into thin rounds
1 zucchini, sliced thinly
1 yellow squash, sliced thinly
1 red pepper, sliced thinly
1 small red onion, sliced thinly
1/4 cup 2% plain yogurt
2 tbsp. low fat mayonnaise
1 tbsp. fresh, chopped basil
1 tsp. lemon juice

Directions:

1. Preheat oven to 450 F. Blend vinegar, oil and basil. Add vegetables, tossing to coat.

2. Place vegetables in roasting pan and cook, stirring occasionally until tender, about 30 minutes.

3. Whisk together ingredients for yogurt spread.

4. Spread yogurt mixture on pita halves, crusty rolls or focaccia bread. Top with veggie mixture and serve.

Thursday, April 30, 2009

New York Lemonade Game

HOW TO PLAY:
1. Make two "safety" lines about 6 or 7 yards apart, marked off with stones or whatever you have handy.

2. The players divide into two equal-sized teams and stand at their team's line.

3. One team must decide on an occupation to pantomime.

4. After choosing how they will act out their trade, the whole team advances slowly toward the second team and starts the following bizarre dialogue, one that clearly came from the mind of some long-ago child.
Team 1: Here we come.
Team 2: Where from?
Team 1: New York.
Team 2: What's your trade?
Team 1: Lemonade.
Team 2: Give us some!

5. The first team then sidles as close as it dares to the second team, which is still on its safety line and can't move yet.

6. The first team begins to act out its agreed-upon trade, with no words allowed. The second team shouts out its guesses.

7. When someone gets it right, the first team turns and flees back toward its safety line, and the second team gives chase, trying to tag the other players before they reach safety.

8. All who are tagged become prisoners of war and must join the opposing team. Then the second team chooses a trade among themselves, and the game is repeated. Establish up front a number of turns for each team; at the end of the last "inning," the team with the most players wins.

VARIATIONS:
If younger kids are stumped on occupations, a grown-up can help supply a few suggestions (such as ballet dancer, baseball player, farmer, firefighter, furniture mover, doctor, carpenter, shepherd, or bus driver). Please note, though, this game definitely predates the service economy. Do not attempt to act out the following trades: insurance claims adjuster, HMO administrator, merger and acquisitions consultant, or systems analyst. I have found that even adults with these jobs have a hard time acting out what they do all day.

Rock, Paper, Scissors Tag

HOW TO PLAY:
1. Make 1 centerline and 2 back lines at the ends of a yard or field (leave space past these back lines so those running full tilt have room to stop).

2. Make 2 teams. Each team then huddles at opposite ends of the field and chooses which hand signal to throw. (In case you've forgotten: rock breaks scissors, scissors cuts paper, paper covers rock.)

3. Have the teams gather at the centerline, fanning out nose-to-nose.

4. Together (and with gusto), all chant: "Rock, paper, scissors, shoot!" On "shoot," players quickly throw their pre-chosen selection.

5. The team that loses the shoot must race for the safety of its own back line, trying to avoid being tagged by the winning team.

6. Any player who gets tagged must defect to the other side. If both teams throw the same shoot, all must quickly sit down. The last one to hit the ground switches teams.

Behavior Modification Game

HOW TO PLAY:
1. One player, the poser, goes around the corner of the house, while the other players agree on a pose they want him to adopt: standing on one foot, sitting with arm and legs crossed, and so on.

2. The poser then comes back and begins moving his arms and legs into various positions. The other players either cheer and clap (if he's getting closer to the pose they want) or quiet down (if he's heading in the wrong direction).

3. Depending on the age and sportsmanship of the players, you might let fly some good-natured boos and jeers if the poser is way off. But when the poser gets the pose right, it's time for wild cheers and a standing ovation.

Wednesday, April 29, 2009

Lemon Tartlets with Meringue Caps

Ingredients

Makes about 20

FOR THE SHELLS
1/4 cup (1/2 stick) unsalted butter, melted
2/3 cup confectioners' sugar, sifted
2 large egg whites, room temperature
1/2 cup sifted all-purpose flour
1/2 teaspoon pure vanilla extract
FOR THE MERINGUE CAPS
3 large egg whites, room temperature
1/2 cup sugar
FOR THE LEMON CURD
6 large egg yolks
1 tablespoon finely grated lemon zest, plus 1/2 cup fresh lemon juice (about 3 lemons total)
3/4 cup granulated sugar
Pinch of salt
1/2 cup (1 stick) cold unsalted butter, cut into pieces

Directions

Preheat oven to 325 degrees. Make the shells: Put butter and sugar into the bowl of an electric mixer fitted with the paddle attachment; mix on medium-high speed until pale and fluffy. Mix in egg whites, one at a time. Mix in flour and vanilla.
Spoon 1 scant teaspoon batter onto a rimmed baking sheet lined with a nonstick baking mat. Using the back of a teaspoon, spread into a 3-inch circle. Repeat 4 times. Bake until golden, 10 to 12 minutes. Immediately transfer cookies, one at a time, to inverted small tartlet shells or brioche molds; gently press to shape. Let set, about 30 seconds. Repeat with remaining batter. If cookies become too cool to shape, return them to oven for 20 seconds. Shells can be stored in an airtight container up to 3 days.
Reduce oven temperature to 200 degrees. Make the meringue caps: Put egg whites and sugar into the bowl of an electric mixer set over a pan of simmering water; whisk until sugar has dissolved. Attach bowl to mixer fitted with the whisk attachment; beat on medium-high speed until stiff peaks form and meringue is cool, about 10 minutes. Transfer to a pastry bag fitted with a 7/16-inch star tip (such as Ateco No. 825). Pipe 20 spirals, 1 1/4 inches round and 2 inches high, onto baking sheets lined with parchment, spacing about 1 inch apart. Bake 20 minutes. Reduce oven temperature to 150 degrees. Bake until dry but not brown, about 2 hours more. Transfer meringues to a wire rack; let cool completely. Meringues can be stored in an airtight container up to 3 days.
Make the curd: Whisk egg yolks, lemon zest and juice, and sugar in a heavy, medium saucepan. Cook, stirring constantly, over medium-low heat until mixture registers 160 degrees on a candy thermometer, 8 to 10 minutes. Remove from heat. Stir in salt. Add butter, 1 piece at a time, stirring after each addition until smooth. Pour curd through a fine sieve into a medium bowl. Cover with plastic wrap, pressing it directly onto surface. Refrigerate until cold and set, at least 1 hour (up to 2 days).
To serve, spoon 2 teaspoons curd into each shell. Top each with a meringue cap.

Creamy Lemon Filling

Ingredients

Makes enough for 3 dozen sandwich cookies

1 package (4 ounces) cream cheese, room temperature
1 tablespoon finely grated lemon zest (from 1 lemon)
1 to 1 1/2 cups confectioners' sugar

Directions

In a small bowl, mix cream cheese and zest until smooth. Gradually add 1 cup confectioners' sugar, mixing until smooth. Mix in remaining sugar as necessary to create a firm but spreadable filling.

Lemon Sandwich Cookies

Ingredients

Makes 3 dozen

16 tablespoons (2 sticks) unsalted butter, room temperature
1 cup confectioners' sugar
1 tablespoon finely grated lemon zest (from 1 lemon)
1/2 teaspoon salt
2 cups all-purpose flour (spooned and leveled), plus more for rolling
2 tablespoons granulated sugar, for sprinkling
Creamy Lemon Filling

Directions
Preheat oven to 350 degrees. In a large bowl using an electric mixer on high speed, beat butter, confectioners' sugar, lemon zest, and salt until combined. With mixer on low, add flour (dough will still be stiff); finish mixing with a wooden spoon.
Turn dough out onto a piece of plastic wrap, pat into a disk about 1/2 inch thick. Wrap, and chill until firm, about 1 hour (and up to 3 days).
Unwrap dough; place on a lightly floured piece of parchment or waxed paper. With a lightly floured rolling pin, roll dough about 1/8 inch thick (if dough cracks, let it warm up slightly).
Cut out cookies with a 1 1/2-inch round cutter (reroll scraps once, chilling of too soft). Place 1 inch apart on two baking sheets; sprinkle with granulated sugar. Bake until barely beginning to brown, 15 to 20 minutes; transfer to wire racks to cool completely.
Form sandwiches: Place about 1 teaspoon Creamy Lemon Filling between two cookies, sugared sides facing out; squeeze gently.

Lemon Meringue Bars

Ingredients

Makes 12

2 sticks (16 tablespoons) unsalted butter, softened
1 3/4 cups plus 2 tablespoons all-purpose flour
1/4 cup plus 3 tablespoons confectioners sugar
2 tablespoons plus 1 teaspoon freshly grated lemon zest
1/4 teaspoon coarse salt
6 large eggs, plus 4 large egg whites
2 1/4 cups plus 2 tablespoons granulated sugar
3/4 cup plus 3 tablespoons fresh lemon juice

Directions
Preheat oven to 350. Make crust: Put butter, flour, confectioners sugar, 2 teaspoons lemon zest, and the salt in the bowl of an electric mixer fitted with the paddle attachment. Mix on medium speed until well blended.
Transfer mixture to a 9-by-13-inch rimmed baking sheet. Press batter evenly into baking sheet. Chill in freezer 10 minutes. Bake until golden, 20 to 22 minutes. Let cool completely on a wire rack.
Make filling: Whisk together whole eggs, 1 3/4 cups plus 2 tablespoons granulated sugar, the lemon juice, and 1 tablespoon plus 2 teaspoons lemon zest. Pour over crust. Bake until filling is set, 18 to 20 minutes. Let cool completely on a wire rack. Keep oven at 350.
Make meringue topping: Put egg whites and 1/2 cup granulated sugar in the clean bowl of an electric mixer fitted with the whisk attachment. Beat on medium-high speed until stiff peaks form.
Using an offset spatula or the back of a spoon, spread meringue over filling, swirling to create soft peaks. Bake until meringue begins to brown, 8 to 10 minutes. Let cool completely. Cut into bars. Bars can be refrigerated in an airtight container, up to 1 day.

Lemon Tassies

Ingredients

Makes 24

FOR THE CANDIED LEMON ZEST:
2 lemons, well scrubbed
1 cup sugar, plus more for rolling
1/2 cup cool water
FOR THE CRUSTS:
5 tablespoons cold unsalted butter, cut into chunks, plus more for pans
1 cup all-purpose flour
3 tablespoons sugar
1 large egg yolk
1/2 teaspoon pure vanilla extract
1 teaspoon finely grated lemon zest
Pinch of salt
FOR THE FILLING:
8 ounces cream cheese, room temperature
1/3 cup sugar
1 large egg
3 tablespoons finely grated lemon zest
1 tablespoon freshly squeezed lemon juice
1/2 teaspoon pure vanilla extract

Directions
For candied lemon zest: Remove zest from lemons with a vegetable peeler, keeping pieces long. Remove white pith using a paring knife, and finely julienne using a very sharp knife. Place julienned zest in a small bowl; cover with boiling water. Let stand for 30 minutes; drain.
Bring 1 cup sugar and the cool water to a boil in a small saucepan over medium-high heat. When sugar is completely dissolved, add julienned zest, reduce heat to medium-low, and cook for 10 minutes. Remove from heat, cover, and let stand overnight. Remove zest, and drain on wire rack. Roll in sugar. Dry on wire rack. Store zest in an airtight container for up to 2 weeks.
Preheat the oven to 350 degrees with rack in upper third. Lightly butter a 24-cup mini-muffin pan; set aside. In a food processor fitted with a steel blade, combine the flour and butter. Pulse until mixture is the consistency of fine crumbs. Add the sugar, egg yolk, vanilla, lemon zest, and salt. Process until evenly incorporated and smooth; do not overprocess.
Divide the dough into quarters. Divide each quarter into 6 pieces. Shape into balls. Place each ball in a muffin cup; press down in the centers so that the dough fits the cups snugly. Set muffin pan on a baking sheet.
Bake until lightly browned all over and slightly darker at the edges, 15 to 20 minutes. Transfer baking sheet with muffin pan to a wire rack to cool.
Make the filling: In an electric mixer fitted with the paddle attachment, beat cream cheese, sugar, egg, lemon zest, lemon juice, and vanilla until completely smooth. Using a 1/4-ounce ice cream scoop, fill the cooled crusts. Bake until filling is set and just beginning to color at the edges, 10 to 12 minutes. Transfer muffin pan to a wire rack. Garnish with candied lemon peel. Let cool completely before serving. The tassies may be stored in an airtight container, refrigerated, for up to 3 days.

Lemon Custard Cakes

Ingredients

Serves 6

Unsalted butter, room temperature, for custard cups
3 large eggs, separated
1/2 cup granulated sugar
2 tablespoons all-purpose flour
2 to 3 teaspoons grated lemon zest, (1 lemon)
1/4 cup fresh lemon juice
1 cup milk
1/4 teaspoon salt
Confectioners' sugar, for dusting

Directions
Preheat oven to 350 degrees. Set a kettle of water to boil. Butter six 6-ounce custard cups and place in a dish towel-lined baking dish or roasting pan.
In a large bowl, whisk egg yolks and sugar until light; whisk in flour. Gradually whisk in lemon juice, then milk and zest.
With an electric mixer, beat egg whites and salt until soft peaks form. Add to lemon batter and fold in gently with a whisk (batter will be quite liquid).
Divide batter among prepared custard cups; place baking dish in oven and fill with boiling water to reach halfway up sides of cups. Bake until puffed and lightly browned (but pudding is still visible in bottom), 20 to 25 minutes. Serve slightly warm or at room temperature, dusted with confectioners’ sugar.

Watermelon Slush

Ingredients
3 cups diced watermelon
2 tablespoons lime juice
1 tablespoon sugar
1 cup crushed ice
1/2 cup water

Directions
Blend watermelon, lime juice, sugar, ice and water in a blender until smooth.

Prep Time 10 min
Level Easy
Yield 4 servings, about 1 cup each

Watermelon Ice

Ingredients
5 cups cubed watermelon
1 cup fresh raspberries
3/4 cup sugar
2 tablespoons creme de cassis or raspberry liqueur
1 tablespoon fresh lemon juice
Mint leaves

Directions
In a blender, puree the watermelon, raspberries, sugar, creme de cassis, and lemon juice in batches until smooth. Strain through a fine sieve into a large metal baking pan, pressing down to extract as much juice as possible.
Freeze, stirring every 30 minutes with a fork to break up the forming ice crystals, until firm but not completely frozen, 2 to 3 hours. To serve, scrape with a fork and spoon into footed coupe glasses.
Preheat a fryer to 350 degrees F. Thoroughly dry the mint leaves with paper towels. Place the mint in the fryer and fry for 15 seconds, just to crisp up. Remove and drain on a paper towel-lined plate. Garnish with the mint and serve.

Cook Time 1 min
Level Easy
Yield 6 to 8 servings

Frozen Watermelon Coolers

Ingredients
2 cups watermelon, cut into 2-inch cubes
1 cup cantaloupe, cut into 2-inch cubes
1 cup honeydew, cut into 2-inch cubes
1 cup vodka
2 tablespoons honey

Directions
Place melons in freezer until barely frozen, about 1 hour. Remove from freezer and place directly into blender with vodka and honey. Pulse until just combined, pour into frosted glasses and serve immediately.

Prep Time 20 min
Level Easy
Yield 4 servings

Watermelon-Yogurt Ice

Ingredients
1/4 cup water
1/4 cup sugar
4 cups diced seedless watermelon (about 3 pounds with the rind) (see Tip)
1 cup low-fat vanilla yogurt
1 tablespoon lime juice

Directions
Combine water and sugar in a small saucepan. Cook, stirring, over high heat until the sugar is dissolved. Transfer to a glass measuring cup and let cool slightly.
Puree watermelon in a food processor or blender, in 2 batches, pulsing until smooth. Transfer to a large bowl. Whisk in the cooled sugar syrup, yogurt and lime juice until combined. Pour the mixture through a fine-mesh sieve into another large bowl, whisking to release all juice. Discard pulp. Pour the extracted juices into an ice cream maker and freeze according to manufacturer's directions. (Alternatively, pour into a shallow metal pan and freeze until solid, about 6 hours or overnight. Remove from freezer to defrost slightly, 5 minutes. Break into small chunks and process in a food processor, in batches, until smooth and creamy.) Serve immediately or transfer to a storage container and freeze for up to 2 hours.
Melon selection & storage:Look for symmetrical unblemished melons, without flat sides, that have a creamy yellow spot on the bottom indicating ripeness. At 92% water, this fruit should feel heavy when you heft it. Precut melon flesh should be dense, firm and appear moist.Store in the refrigerator for up to a week or keep in a cool, dark spot. Cover the cut surface of melon with plastic wrap and refrigerate.

Cook Time 40 min
Level Easy
Yield 8 servings, 1/2 cup each

Watermelon Cooler

Ingredients
1 1/2 pounds (4 cups) sliced seedless watermelon, rind removed
1 cup lemon sorbet
1 lemon, zested
1 1/2 cups cold water
Watermelon wedges and mint, for garnish

Directions
In a food processor, blend watermelon, sorbet, and lemon zest until very smooth. Stir in 1 1/2 cups cold water; cover and refrigerate until very cold. Serve over ice and garnish with watermelon wedges and mint.

Prep Time 5 min
Level Easy
Yield 2 servings

Watermelon Mojito

Ingredients
4 lime wedges
5 mint leaves
1 tablespoon minted simple syrup
Ice
1 1/2 tablespoons watermelon puree
3 ounces light rum
Splash club soda or ginger ale
Watermelon wedge or mint leaves, for garnish
Directions
Optional: Rim the glass with a mixture of equal parts sugar, salt and pepper

Muddle limes, mint and syrup in a bar mixing shaker. Add ice and then watermelon puree and light rum. Shake vigorously. Pour into a highball or Collins glass, top with club soda or ginger ale. Garnish with a wedge of watermelon and fresh mint.

Prep Time 30 min
Level Intermediate
Yield 1 serving

Outdoor Scavenger Hunt

Supplies Needed: printed list of nature items for the hunt; a location where nature items such as rocks, bugs, leaves, etc. can be gathered
Give players or teams the printed list of nature items to find. Some suggestions are rock, leaf, bug, pine cone, twig, something red, yellow, orange, or other color. The first player or team to report back with all of their items wins the prize.

Watermelon Sorbet

Ingredients
1 cup sugar
1/2 cup corn syrup
4 tablespoons lemon juice
3 tablespoons grenadine
3 fresh mint leaves
1 (3-pound) seedless watermelon

Directions
In a small saucepan, bring sugar, syrup, lemon juice, grenadine and mint leaves to a boil dissolving the sugar granules. Let cool slightly. Cut the rind off the watermelon and cut into chunks. Puree half of the chopped watermelon in a blender. Strain through a fine mesh strainer into a large glass bowl. Repeat with remaining watermelon. Add slightly cooled syrup mixture and mix well to incorporate. Place sorbet into a 2-quart plastic container and freeze for 3 to 4 hours.

Cook Time 10 min
Level Easy
Yield 4 servings

Salad on a Skewer

Bring a container full of different vegetables and let each person assemble their own salad on a skewer. Some great fresh vegetables for picnic ideas and recipes are:
Cherry tomatoes
Olives
Cucumbers cut in chunks
Broccoli florets
Cauliflower florets

Tuesday, April 28, 2009

Clothespin Tag

For those that want physical activity in their picnic game, try a little game of “Clothespin Tag.” Supplies include people (the more the merrier!) and a bag of clothespins. For this picnic game, the clothespins are available at any local variety store. Simply clip 2 or 3 clothespins at various spots on picnic attendee’s shirts. Then yell “GO!” The one with the most clothespins at the end of this picnic game wins!

What Am I?

That is the question!

This game is for 3 or more players.

To set up this game, everyone writes names of objects on index cards.

Put the index cards face down on a table and mix them up.

Now put a loop of masking tape on each card.

The first player picks up a card and tapes it to his forehead without looking at it.

The player then has to figure out what is on the card by asking the other players questions.

The trick is that he can only ask questions that have a yes or no answer.

Have fun!

Eleven

A game of chance en-countings.

Players sit in a circle.

Players count off from 1 to 11.

The person who counts off as number 11 is out.

The player to the left of the person who is out starts the counting in the next round.

Before the next round begins, all players switch places in the circle.

Keep playing until there is only one person left. That person is the winner!

Skittle Game

Required: Container, 2-3 pkgs. of Skittle candies, score sheet, paper and pencil
Players: Small to large groups

Find a deep, clean, non see through container to pour in several bags of skittles. Make a point chart on paper or blackboard for the different colored Skittles. An example is purple 5pts, green 10pts, yellow 20pts, orange 25pts, and red 30pts. Divide into teams and have one person at a time from each team, draw out a Skittle. The team is awarded the points for the color that is pulled out. The drawer gets to eat the Skittle. The first team to reach 500pts is the winner.

Apple On A Rope

Required: Twine, apples and skewer
Players: Small to medium groups

For this game there are only two players on a team, one to hold the apple and the other to eat the apple. Set up the apples on ropes ahead of time. You do this by poking a hole through the apple, stringing a piece of thin rope about 3' in length through the apple and knot it several times at the end to prevent the apple from falling off. The apple holder will hold the one end of the rope in the air while the apple dangles and the apple eater will eat the apple while their hands are behind their back. The first team done eating the apple down to the core is the winner. You might want to have a judge to decide when a team is down to the core. With this game you should use caution because players could choke if they inhale the apple. So encourage them to concentrate on eating the apple and not laughing. This game is better for older players, great game for married couples. Some players have a hard time getting the first bite into the apple and the trick sometimes is to hit the apple with the force of your teeth. Careful, don’t play this game if you have loose teeth.

Monday, April 27, 2009

Tomato and Mozzarella Bites

INGREDIENTS
20 grape or cherry tomatoes, halved
20 fresh basil leaves
20 small balls fresh mozzarella cheese (often labeled bocconcini)
salt and pepper to taste
1/2 cup balsamic vinegar
1/4 cup extra virgin olive oil
20 toothpicks

DIRECTIONS
Using a toothpick, spear a half of a tomato, a piece of basil, a mozzarella ball, and another half of a tomato. Repeat with remaining ingredients. Place on a serving dish and sprinkle with salt and pepper. Mix the vinegar and oil together in a small bowl to serve as a dipping sauce.

Thursday, April 23, 2009

Savory Deviled Eggs

INGREDIENTS
6 hard-cooked eggs
1/4 cup mayonnaise
1 teaspoon white wine vinegar
1 teaspoon Dijon mustard
1/2 teaspoon dill weed
1/4 teaspoon garlic powder
1/8 teaspoon salt
Fresh dill sprigs

DIRECTIONS
Slice eggs in half lengthwise; remove yolks and set whites aside. In a small bowl, mash yolks. Add the mayonnaise, vinegar, mustard, dill, garlic powder and salt.
Spoon into egg whites. Garnish with dill sprigs if desired. Refrigerate until serving.

Wednesday, April 22, 2009

Picnic Games for Adults

If an adult picnic game or two are to feature on your agenda, there’s no reason to purchase expensive games equipment.
If you feel like having fun with your guests by playing some of the games on this list of picnic game ideas, then I suggest you take a moment to check out picnic game bargains in the country nearest to you.
Other enjoyable adult picnic games just involve using your creativity and perhaps a pencil and paper or a balloon or two.
Games such as Pass the Balloon can be hilarious. First split into teams.
Pass a balloon along the team using necks and chins only (absolutely no hands!)
pass a long balloon (or even a baby marrow or very large courgette) along the team using only your knees.
Have a camera at the ready because, trust me, you’ll want to take photos! Obviously the first team to get the balloon all the way along the team wins.
A more sedentary adult picnic game is Buzz, for which you need to try and remember the maths you learnt in school! Sit in a ring and take it in turns to shout out a number – in sequence. Make it easy by starting at 1 to begin with. Each time the number has a 7 in it, or is divisible by 7, then the person must say “buzz” instead of the number. If they don’t, then they’re out. The winner is the last person in.
Example: 1, 2, 3, 4, 5, 6, Buzz, 8, 9, 10, 11, 12, 13, Buzz, 15, 16, Buzz, 18, 19, 20, Buzz, 22, 23, 24, 25, 26, Buzz, Buzz, 29, 30 etc.
This really makes your brain tick over, as you have to concentrate not only on what you’re going to say, but also on your friends so that you can get them out. It helps if someone in the party is really good at maths!
Assassin is an amusing game which can be running for the length of the picnic. Cut up some card (old Xmas or birthday cards for example) into business card sizes, one for each person at the picnic. Mark one card with an A but leave all the other cards blank. Fold each card and put them into a container. At the picnic, everyone takes a card but no looking at others or telling! The person with the A is the Assassin.
During the picnic, the Assassin must secretly wink at people. When someone is winked at, they must declare that they have been hit by the Assassin and they are dead. If another picnicker thinks he has seen the Assassin winking, then he can declare the suspect. However, you only get one chance each at a declaration and if you’re wrong you’re also dead. If you’re right, then you win the game. If nobody guesses who the Assassin is, then the Assassin wins when they wink at the last person without being seen.
Another great adult picnic game is Frisbee Golf for which you need some wide open space, as well as Frisbees of course – and a two or three towels and/or small tablecloths. Place the towels far enough away that there is plenty of room to throw the Frisbee towards them.
The rules are like those of standard golf. Each player will "tee off" by throwing the Frisbee with the aim of landing it on the first towel. After each player has thrown once, he then continues to throw his Frisbee until it lands on the towel. The number of throws is the score for that "hole".
Once every player has landed his or her Frisbee on the towel, continue on to the next "hole." You can add additional "holes" by moving the towels. The game can be played with any number of participants. The winner is the player with the lowest number of throws.

Tuesday, April 21, 2009

Cinnamon Biscuits

1/8 cup plus 2 tablespoons sugar
2 cups all-purpose flour
2 cups cake flour
4 teaspoons baking powder
3/4 teaspoon salt
1/2 teaspoon ground cinnamon
1/4 teaspoon baking soda
3/4 cup (1 1/2 sticks) chilled unsalted butter, cut into 1/2-inch pieces
2 large eggs
1 cup chilled plain yogurt

Blend 2/3 cup sugar, flour, cake flour, baking powder, salt, cinnamon and baking soda in large bowl. Add butter, rub in with fingertips until mixture resembles coarse meal. Beat eggs in medium bowl. Transfer 1 tablespoon beaten eggs to small bowl; reserve for glaze. Whisk yogurt into remaining eggs in medium bowl. Stir yogurt mixture into dry ingredients. Gather dough into ball.
Gently knead dough on lightly floured surface until dough just holds together, about 6 turns. Roll or pat dough into 1-inch-thick round. Using 2 1/2- to 3-inch-diameter heart-shaped cookie cutter, cut out biscuits. Gather dough scraps, reroll to 1-inch thickness and cut out additional biscuits. Place biscuits on ungreased baking sheet. (Can be prepared 1 day ahead. Cover biscuits and reserved egg glaze separately and refrigerate.)
Preheat oven to 400°F. Brush biscuits with reserved egg glaze. Sprinkle with remaining 2 tablespoons sugar. Bake biscuits until puffed and light golden, about 18 minutes. Cool 10 minutes. Serve warm or at room temperature.

Lime Ice on Watermelon

1 1/4 cups lime sugar
1 1/2 cups granulated sugar
2 1/4 cups water
4 whole star anise (optional)
1 3/4 cups fresh lime juice (10 limes)
1/2 chilled watermelon, cut into slices or wedges

Boil sugars, water, and star anise, stirring, until sugars are dissolved. Pour syrup through a fine sieve into a bowl, discarding solids. Cool syrup.
Stir in lime juice.
Freeze in a 13- by 9- by 2-inch glass dish, stirring occasionally with a fork, until liquid is frozen and granular, about 6 hours.
Serve lime ice on watermelon.

Cooks' note:
Lime ice may be made 2 days ahead and kept frozen, covered.

Strawberry Daiquiri Slush with Honeydew Melon

1 (12-oz) package frozen unsweetened strawberries
1/3 cup light corn syrup
1/4 to 1/3 cup white rum
2 tablespoons fresh lime juice
1/2 ripe honeydew melon, seeded and flesh cut into 1/2-inch cubes

Garnish: lime slices

Purée frozen berries, corn syrup, rum to taste, and lime juice in a blender until slushy. Spoon into 6 (8-ounce) wineglasses or other stemmed shallow glasses and top with melon.

Watermelon Sorbet

8 cups cubed (1 inch) watermelon, seeds and rind discarded
1 cup Simple Sugar Syrup
2 tablespoons fresh lemon juice

Puree the watermelon cubes in a food processor. Measure 4 cups of the puree and place in a bowl. Add the Simple Sugar Syrup and lemon juice and stir well. Freeze in an ice cream maker according to the manufacturer's instructions.

New England Crab Rolls

6 tablespoons mayonnaise
1 tablespoon fresh lemon juice
1 teaspoon grated lemon peel
1/8 teaspoon cayenne pepper
3/4 pound fresh crabmeat, picked over
3 tablespoons finely chopped green onions

2 tablespoons (1/4 stick) butter, room temperature
4 hot dog buns, sides split open
4 red leaf or Bibb lettuce leaves

Whisk together mayonnaise, lemon juice, lemon peel, and cayenne pepper in medium bowl. Mix in crabmeat and chopped green onions. Season crab salad to taste with salt and pepper.
Spread butter on insides of hot dog buns. Warm large skillet over medium heat 1 minute. Place buns, buttered side down, in preheated skillet and toast until golden, about 5 minutes. Place 2 toasted buns on each of 2 plates. Place 1 lettuce leaf inside each bun. Divide crab salad among buns and serve.

Strawberry Shortcake

2 1/2 lb strawberries, trimmed and quartered (7 1/2 cups)
1/3 to 1/2 cup granulated sugar, or to taste
1 cup chilled heavy cream
1/4 cup sour cream
1 1/2 to 2 tablespoons confectioners sugar
1/2 teaspoon vanilla
6 buttermilk biscuits

Special equipment: a potato masher

Toss strawberries with granulated sugar in a large bowl and let stand 5 minutes. Gently press strawberries with potato masher to help release their juices, being careful not to crush them to a pulp. Let stand at room temperature, stirring occasionally, 45 minutes to 1 hour.
Beat together heavy cream, sour cream, confectioners sugar (to taste), and vanilla in a bowl with an electric mixer at medium-high speed until it holds a soft shape(not stiff).
Split biscuits horizontally with a fork and arrange 2 halves, split sides up, on each of 6 plates. Top with strawberries and juices, then with whipped cream.

Buttermilk Biscuits

1 1/2 cups all-purpose flour
1 1/2 tablespoons sugar
1 1/2 teaspoons baking powder
Rounded 1/4 teaspoon salt
1/4 teaspoon baking soda
1/2 stick (1/4 cup) cold unsalted butter, cut into 1/2-inch cubes
3/4 cup well-shaken buttermilk
1 tablespoon milk or cream for brushing biscuits

Put oven rack in middle position and preheat oven to 425°F.
Sift together flour, sugar, baking powder, salt, and baking soda onto a sheet of wax paper, then sift again into a bowl. Blend in butter with your fingertips until mixture resembles coarse meal. Add buttermilk and stir with a fork until a dough just forms (dough will be moist).
Turn dough out onto a well-floured surface and knead gently 6 times. Pat out dough on a floured surface with floured hands, reflouring surface if necessary, into an 8- by 5 1/2-inch rectangle. Trim all 4 sides with a knife, dusting knife edge with flour before each cut. Cut rectangle in half lengthwise, then into thirds crosswise to form 6 (2 1/2-inch) squares, flouring knife between cuts. Transfer biscuits with a metal spatula to an ungreased baking sheet, arranging them 2 inches apart, and brush tops with milk or cream. Bake until pale golden, 12 to 15 minutes, then transfer to a rack to cool to room temperature.

Creamy Horseradish Potato Salad

1/2 cup mayonnaise
1/3 cup sour cream
3 tablespoons bottled white horseradish (not drained)
1 tablespoon white-wine vinegar
1 teaspoon sugar
3/4 teaspoon salt
1/2 teaspoon black pepper
1/3 cup chopped fresh chives
3 pounds cooked small (2-inch) boiling potatoes, cooled to room temperature and quartered

Whisk together mayonnaise, sour cream, horseradish, vinegar, sugar, salt, and pepper in a large bowl until smooth. Add chives and potatoes and stir to coat.

Deviled Ham and Pickle Sandwiches

1 1/2 cups chopped cooked ham (1/2 pound)
1/3 cup mayonnaise
2 teaspoons grainy mustard
1/2 teaspoon Worcestershire sauce
1/4 teaspoon Tabasco
Sliced cornichons or dill pickles
Thinly sliced sweet onion
8 slices sandwich bread

Pulse ham with mayonnaise, mustard, Worcestershire sauce, and Tabasco in a food processor until finely chopped.
Make sandwiches with ham mixture, pickles, onion, and bread.

Summer Rolls with Baked Tofu and Sweet-and-Savory Dipping Sauce

2 ounces dried bean thread noodles (cellophane noodles)
1 small carrot, cut into thin matchsticks (about 3/4 cup)
1 Kirby cucumber, halved lengthwise, seeded, and cut into thin matchsticks (about 3/4cup)
1 small fresh jalapeño, cut into thin matchsticks
1/4 cup rice vinegar (not seasoned)
1/4 teaspoon sugar
1 tablespoon plus 3/4 teaspoon fresh lime juice, divided
16 rice-paper rounds (also called galettes de riz; about 8 inches in diameter) plus additional in case some tear
4 romaine leaves, each torn into 4 pieces
10 ounces packaged baked tofu, cut into 3- by 1/3-inch sticks
1 cup fresh bean sprouts
1/2 cup each of torn basil, mint, and cilantro leaves (11/2 cups total)
1/3 cup hoisin sauce
2 tablespoons chunky peanut butter
2 tablespoons water

Soak noodles in a medium bowl of boiling-hot water 10 minutes.
Meanwhile, blanch carrot in boiling water until softened, about 45 seconds. Drain. Rinse under cold water to stop cooking, then transfer to a small bowl along with cucumber, jalapeño, vinegar, sugar, 1 tablespoon lime juice, and 1/4 teaspoon salt. Let stand 5 minutes. Reserve 2 tablespoons liquid and drain pickled vegetables.
Drain noodles and rinse under cold water, then drain and pat dry. Toss noodles with remaining 3/4 teaspoon lime juice and snip with kitchen shears 5 or 6 times.
Fill a shallow pan or pie plate with warm water. Soak 2 rice-paper rounds until they begin to soften, about 30 seconds, then let excess water drip off and stack soaked rounds on a work surface so that they overlap by all but 1 inch on either side. Put 2pieces of romaine on bottom third of round. Top with one eighth of noodles (about 2 tablespoons), tofu (4 sticks), bean sprouts (about 2 tablespoons), herbs (3 tablespoons), and pickled vegetables (3 tablespoons). Roll up tightly around filling, folding in sides. Make 7 more rolls in same manner.
Stir together hoisin sauce, peanut butter, water, and reserved 2 tablespoons pickling liquid. Serve rolls with dipping sauce.

Cooks' note:
Rolls and sauce can be made 4 hours ahead and chilled, rolls covered with damp paper towels and then plastic wrap.

Mini Taco Bowls

Prep Time: 10 min Total Time: 25 min Makes: 4 servings, two taco bowls each

What You Need!8 TACO BELL® HOME ORIGINALS® Flour Tortillas
1 lb. extra lean ground beef
1 cup TACO BELL® HOME ORIGINALS® Thick 'N Chunky Salsa
1/2 cup KRAFT 2% Milk Shredded Cheddar Cheese
2 cups chopped lettuce
1 cup chopped tomatoes 1
/4 cup KRAFT Ranch Dressing
Make It!
HEAT oven to 350°F. Microwave tortillas on HIGH 30 sec. Press 1 tortilla into each of eight 2-1/2-inch muffin cups. Carefully fold back edges of tortillas, leaving opening in center of each for filling. Bake 10 min.
MEANWHILE, brown meat in large skillet; drain. Stir in salsa; bring to boil. Reduce heat to medium-low; simmer 10 min. Spoon into tortilla bowls; top with remaining ingredients.
TACO BELL® and HOME ORIGINALS® are trademarks owned and licensed by Taco Bell Corp.

Kraft Kitchens Tips

Serving Suggestion
Serve with your favorite fresh fruit and CRYSTAL LIGHT Lemonade.

Substitute
Substitute 2 cups shredded cooked chicken for the browned ground beef.

Substitute
Substitute 1 Tbsp. BREAKSTONE'S or KNUDSEN Sour Cream for the 1/4 cup dressing.

Mini Peanut Butter Cheesecakes

Prep Time: 15 min Total Time: 55 min Makes: 16 servings, 2 triangles each

What You Need!
12 OREO Cookies, crushed
2 Tbsp. butter, melted
1 pkg. (8 oz.) PHILADELPHIA 1/3 Less Fat Cream Cheese, softened
1/4 cup creamy peanut butter
1/3 cup sugar
1 egg
1 square BAKER'S Semi-Sweet Chocolate, melted

Make It!
HEAT oven to 325ºF. Mix cookie crumbs and butter; press firmly onto bottom of 8-inch square pan. Set aside.
BEAT cream cheese, peanut butter and sugar with mixer until blended. Add egg; mix just until blended. Spoon over crust. Bake 18 to 20 min. or until center is almost set; cool.
DRIZZLE chocolate over cheesecake in criss-cross pattern. Refrigerate 5 min. before cutting to serve.

Kraft Kitchens Tips

For Easy Cleanup
Line pan with foil. Use foil handles to lift cooled cake out of pan. How to Cut Into TrianglesCut into 16 squares. Cut each square on diagonal to make 32 triangles.

Special Extra
Sprinkle tops of cheesecakes with chopped peanuts after drizzling with chocolate.

RITZ Bits-Pepperoni Pizza

Prep Time: 5 min Total Time: 5 min Makes: 1 serving

What You Need!
8 RITZ Bits Cheese 4 slices
OSCAR MAYER Pepperoni, cut in half
1 Tbsp. pizza sauce

Make It!

SEPARATE 1 RITZ Bits; reassemble placing 1 pepperoni piece between crackers.
REPEAT with remaining RITZ Bits and pepperoni pieces.
SERVE with sauce for dipping.

Bistro Chicken Pasta Salad

Prep Time: 25 min Total Time: 25 min Makes: 4 servings, about 1-1/3 cups each

What You Need!
2 cups cooked penne pasta
1 cup quartered cherry tomatoes
1 pkg. (4 oz.) ATHENOS Traditional Crumbled Feta Cheese
1/2 cup prepared GOOD SEASONS Italian Dressing Mix for Fat Free Dressing
1/3 cup lightly packed fresh basil, cut into strips
1/4 cup chopped red onions
1/4 cup chopped sun-dried tomatoes (not oil packed)
1/2 lb. boneless skinless chicken breasts, grilled, cut into 1/4-inch-thick slices

Make It!

COMBINE all ingredients except chicken.
TOP with chicken.
Kraft Kitchens TipsMake AheadPrepare as directed. Refrigerate several hours or until chilled.SubstitutePrepare using ATHENOS Crumbled Feta Cheese with Basil & Tomato.ShortcutSubstitute 1 pkg. (6 oz.) OSCAR MAYER Deli Fresh Grilled Chicken Breast Strips for the sliced grilled fresh chicken.

Friday, April 17, 2009

Frisbee Games

Frisbee Fakeout
This Frisbee game is a form of keep-away - Frisbee style! You need a large field and a large group of people (10 or more).
Lay out boundaries like a football/soccer field - two end zones and a slightly larger zone in the middle. Two teams are needed. One team stands in the central zone, the other team divides its players between the two end zones. Everyone must stay within the boundaries.
The end-zone team has the Frisbee and tries to pass it from one end zone to the other, without missing or dropping it, and without it being intercepted by the other team.
If the end-zone team fails to pass the Frisbee in three tries, or if the central-zone team intercepts it, then the teams switch places. The central-zone team sends half its players into each end zone and the end-zone team move to the middle to try to regain possession of the Frisbee. The quicker this is done, the more exciting it will be!
You can make up your own scoring system, or just play for the fun of it - trying for spectacular throws, amazing saves and fabulous fakeouts.

Frisbee Football
A minimum of 6 people are needed to play this frisbee game.
Frisbee football is played like touch football with the following differences:
The team "kicking off" throws the Frisbee from their own goal line.
A first down is gained when a team crosses the midfield line with the Frisbee, or when three consecutive forward passes are completed in one series of downs.
Punts and kick-offs are thrown. If the Frisbee goes beyond the end zone on either a punt or kick-off, it is returned to the nearest quarter-field line. If it flies out of bounds, the receiving team has the choice of moving the line of scrimmage either to midfield or to the place where the Frisbee went out-of-bounds.
If you are really into tackle football instead of touch - then go for it!

Frisbee Golf
Frisbee golf, like real golf, is best played with 2-4 players.
Place your Disc Golf Catcher a good 200 ft. distance away (or choose an object such as a tree, a garbage can, a lawn chair, etc.) - away from people please! Then map out your course (with dog-legs, hazards, etc.).
How to score? The number of shots it takes you to hit the target with your Frisbee - standard golf rules apply.
Play 9 or 18 holes, as you wish. Each player taking a turn mapping out the next hole.
For frisbee golf, I highly recommend a 3 Disc Golf Set . The set of three discs includes driver, mid-range and putt-and-approach discs for versatile play on all types of courses.
You may need a "Good Samaritan Rule". If a stranger comes along and picks up your Frisbee and throws it back to you, you have to play the next shot from where it lands. If you are able to catch the Good Samaritan's throw, you can play the shot from where it's caught and deduct one point from your score. Watch out for canine Good Samaritans!

Frisbee Keep-Away Tag
For this frisbee game of tag you will need at least 6 players. The objective of this game, as the name suggests, is to keep the Frisbee away from those who are "it".
First of all, determine some boundaries for your game - and remember to allow for plenty of room! Between one-third to one-half of the players will be "it".
The Frisbee is thrown from player to player, with hopes of keeping it away from those that are "its". If a player who is "it" catches the Frisbee, then the person who last threw the Frisbee is now "it". The person who caught it is no longer "it".
A player who is "it" may also tag a player who is holding the Frisbee. Then they will change positions.
If the Frisbee goes out-of-bounds, the thrower becomes "it". The only ones who can retrieve the out-of-bounds Frisbee are the other players who are "it'. The person to gain control of the Frisbee is no longer "it".

Frisbee Relay
This relay type race is best for 8-12 people, divided into two teams. Two Frisbees are needed, one for each team.
Each team should spread out in a line about 50 ft. (or more) apart from each other. On "GO!" the first person in the line of each team throws the Frisbee to the second person. That person allows the Frisbee to land, goes to where it landed, then throws it to the next person in their line, and so on.
The object of the game is to see which team can throw the Frisbee the furthest in the fastest time (to the last person in their line).

Frisbee Rounders (Frisbee Baseball)

For large groups: 18 players (2 teams of 9)
For this Frisbee game you will need 7 cones. Set up a diamond, similar to baseball. Like teeball, there is no pitcher; otherwise the field positions are similar.
The "batter" simply throws the disc from homebase (must rethrow if it is a foul or doesn't travel at least 5m). The batter may run up to throw, but if they release too late, then it is also a foul. Just like baseball, three fouls mean the batter is out. Batter is also out if his/her throw is caught. Runners are out if the disc reaches the base they are running towards before they do. Only the fielders on a base (the basemen) may run with the disc; everyone else must throw it to a baseman. The batting team gets a run each time a runner reaches home base, when they get 3 outs the teams switch sides. For safety reasons, have the fielders be at least 5m away from the batter.

New Frisbee
This is a basic throw and catch frisbee game for two or more players. The difference is in how you score points.
First of all, each player must declare which hand they will use to catch and which hand they will use to throw. This must remain constant throughout the game.
The player who catches decides the points for both himself and the thrower. Therefore, the catcher must make an all-out effort to catch the Frisbee. If he has launched, dived and leaped and still does not catch it, he awards himself 1 point. If the flight of the Frisbee is direct and he still does not catch it, the thrower is given 1 point.
The thrower is awarded 2 points if the catcher reaches the Frisbee but fumbles and drops it. If the Frisbee tilts more than 45 degrees from the horizontal during flight, the catcher can call "Forty-Five!" and award himself 1 point. This gives the thrower an incentive to master his art!
If both the throw and the catch are good, absolutely no points are awarded.

Ultimate Frisbee
Healthy Tip:
30 Minutes of playing Ultimate will burn 290 calories!

Ultimate Frisbee is very similar to Frisbee Fakeout. Basically, two teams and a playing field are needed (with sidelines and a goal line at each end). It is best played with 7 players on each team.
To score a goal, a team must complete a pass to a player standing (or more likely running) in the endzone they are attacking.
You must not run with the Frisbee in your hands. If you catch it, you must stop and attempt to pass it to another team member. If the Frisbee lands on the ground, or is intercepted by the other team, then the opposing team gets possession of the Frisbee (called a "turnover"). It is also considered a turnover if the Frisbee or player is out of bounds.
Ultimate Frisbee is a non-contact game. It is considered a foul if contact is made between players while trying to catch the Frisbee.
This game provides an entire afternoon of fun. Make up your own rules, deciding on how many goals constitute a win, or just play until you drop!
Following the basic rules, Ultimate can be played with balls, water balloons, paper airplanes or anything else you can think of. It could also be a lot of fun played in slow motion, or on your hands and knees, or even tried with three teams instead of two. You are only limited by your imaginations!

Take a Hike

This is a fun game for older kids and teens. Arrange chairs in a circle and have everyone sit down. Choose one child to be in the center, and remove that chair, so there is enough chairs for all but one person. Say a phrase such as "If you're wearing tennis shoes, take a hike!" After that, all players who are wearing tennis shoes but run across the circle to find another seat. If they are the last one and can't find a seat, they will be in the center and can choose the next phrase such as "If your birthday is in the summer," "If you like ice cream", or "If you've ever been skiing", etc. It's a non-competitive but fun activity.

How to Plan a Photo Scavenger Hunt for Groups

Decide on when you are going to have the scavenger hunt. It's a great event for a youth group party, sorority pledge week activity, college orientation, etc. Ideally there should be at least 6 people.
Step2 Make a list of scenarios that the group must take a picture of themselves in front of. Here are some ideas:

1. On a Swing Set
2. Doing the bunny hop in front of a certain store
3. Sitting on the courthouse steps
4. With someone wearing a uniform
5. In front of a Volkswagen Beetle (or PT cruiser, etc.)
6. In the deodorant section at Wal-Mart
7. Crammed into a bathtub
8. In front of a statue
9. In front of any local landmark
10. With a duck
11. With everyone wearing hats
12. With everyone making a peace sign
13. On an escalator
14. Spelling out a word - such as "hi"
15. In front of a brown house
16. In front of a house over 40 years old
17. In front of a certain type of tree, such as pecan
18. With a puppy
19. With a cow
20. In front of a traffic sign
Step3 If the group is a youth group, or people younger than 18, recruit chaperones - enough for one per group.
Step4 Try to get a head count of how many people there will be, if possible. The players will be divided into teams of 4 or 3.
Step5 Create the rules. They might be that whoever gets the most pictures of these in a 2 hour time span wins. Print & xerox the rules, along with the list of scenarios the players need to create on the scavenger hunt.
Step6 Purchase disposable cameras, enough for each group.
Step7 When the party comes, hand out the scavenger hunt sheets, explain the rules and tell them to check off the scenarios that they accomplish, and enjoy!
Step8 Have everyone meet back. Take the cameras to a one hour developing lab to develop photos. Give the winners a fun prize!
Step9 Put the photos in a fun scrapbook, or give to players to enjoy.

Thursday, April 16, 2009

Greek Orzo and Grilled Shrimp Salad with Mustard-Dill Vinaigrette

Ingredients
3/4 pound orzo, cooked al dente
1 large cucumber, seeded, quartered lengthwise, and sliced
3 green onions, thinly sliced
1 pint grape tomatoes, halved
1/4 cup chopped fresh dill, plus extra for garnish
1/4 cup white wine vinegar
3 tablespoons Dijon mustard
1/2 cup olive oil, plus additional for brushing shrimp
Salt and freshly ground pepper
3/4 pound feta cheese, crumbled
16 medium shrimp, peeled and de-veined

Directions
Combine orzo, cucumber, green onions, and tomatoes in a large bowl. Place dill, vinegar, and mustard in a blender and blend until smooth. With the motor running, slowly add the olive oil and blend until emulsified. Season with salt and pepper, to taste. Pour the vinaigrette over the orzo mixture and stir well to combine. Gently fold in the feta cheese.
Heat grill to high. Brush shrimp with oil and season with salt and pepper. Grill for approximately 2 minutes per side or until just cooked through. Divide orzo salad among 4 take-out containers or plates and top with 4 shrimp. Garnish with additional dill.

Cook Time 4 min
Level Easy
Yield 4 servings

Puff Pastry Cheese Twists

1 sheet frozen puff pastry, 1/2 (17.3-ounce) package
1/3 cup grated Parmesan
2 tablespoons extra-virgin olive oil
2 teaspoons minced garlic
1 teaspoon dried oregano
1/2 teaspoon salt
1/2 teaspoon cayenne
1 large egg
All-purpose flour, for dusting
Directions
Preheat oven to 400 degrees F.

Line 3 large baking sheets with parchment paper. Thaw the pastry sheet at room temperature covered by a clean kitchen cloth, about 30 minutes. While the pastry is thawing, combine cheese, olive oil, garlic, oregano, salt and cayenne in a small mixing bowl. Stir well to combine. In a clean small mixing bowl, beat the egg with a fork. On a lightly floured surface, gently unfold the pastry.
Sprinkle the pastry lightly with flour and using a rolling pin, roll into a 14 by 10-inch rectangle. Brush the top of the pastry with a beaten egg. Cut in 1/2 lengthwise to form 2 (7 by 10-inch) rectangles. Spread the herb-cheese mixture with the back of a spoon evenly across 1 rectangle. Lay the second rectangle across the coated piece, egg side-down. With the rolling pin lightly roll the 2 sheets together to seal. With a large knife cut crosswise into strips, about 1/3-inch wide each. (Alternately, you can use a pizza wheel to cut the strips.) One at a time, grab the ends of each strip and twist in opposite directions to form a spiral. Transfer to the prepared baking sheets. Bake until light golden brown, about 10 minutes. Remove from the oven and let cool on baking sheets until cool enough to handle. Serve either warm or at room temperature.

Wednesday, April 15, 2009

Games

Blanket volleyball: Set up two teams, with each team member holding a corner of his or her team's blanket. This will work best with 8 people (4 on each side holding one corner of a blanket) but with a few athletic types could be played with fewer people. Have one team serve the volleyball by placing the ball in the middle of the blanket. They are to lower the blanket and then raise it quickly as a team, to allow the ball to become air borne. The opposing team must catch the volleyball in their blanket and toss it back again. The ball can be tossed back and forth over a net, but it's not necessary.

Galaxy Ball: Players form a large circle or square. Place 1 or more players in the center who try to avoid being hit by thrown balls. Players on the perimeter throw balls trying to hit the inner circle player(s) at or below the waist. The player who hits someone gets to take his or her place in the center.

Soccer Ball Bowling: Have the kids set up about 10 empty plastic 2-liter pop bottles on a flat surface. Each player gets two tries at knocking the cans down at about 20 feet away. If one player knocks all the bottles down within his two shots he gets another turn to add to his score. The total amount of bottles they knock down gets added to their score. You can go up to 10 complete turns and the person with the highest score wins. This is a great game for kids to practice addition in their heads.

Duck, Duck, Squirt: For this game you'll need a squirt gun and a bucket of clean water. All the players sit or stand in a circle. Pick a person to be "it." They are to go around the circle like Duck, Duck, Goose but they say " Duck, Duck, Squirt". They then squirt a player and the chase begins. The "squirter" is to run around the circle and back to the player's position without getting tagged by the person that was squirted.

I'm Going Hunting: You play this game in a circle and your memory counts. One person in the circle starts the game off by saying, "I'm going hunting and I'm taking an arrow." The next person will have to repeat what the person next to him said, and then add something new from the next letter in the alphabet. "I'm going hunting, and I'm taking an arrow and a bow." You keep this going around the circle until one person cannot remember what he is taking. That person is out and you see if the next person can complete the phrase. You don't necessarily have to choose something that you would normally take hunting - it can be funny. You can also modify this game to a specific topic. "I'm going shopping and I'm buying a…."

Smile Toss Players can sit in a circle or another formation as long as everyone can see each other. All players are to keep a straight somber face while one person that is chosen to be the Smile Tosser, smiles. The Smile Tosser will smile a big smile at all players trying to get them to crack a smile or laugh. If anyone smiles or laughs they are out of the game and they must be absolutely quiet while the game goes on. The Smile Tosser can wipe off his smile with his hand and throw it to another player if he wishes. The receiving player will put on the smile and be the new Smile Tosser. You can even set a time limit on how long your Smile Tosser is allowed to keep her role.

Tuesday, April 14, 2009

Do You Love Your Neighbor?

Players: Small to medium groups

All players sit in a circle except one person who sits on someone’s lap and asks, “Do you love your neighbor?” If he/she says YES, you all move one seat in any direction and the person that’s IT try’s to get a seat. If he/she does, then the person left standing is IT. However if he says NO then the IT asks, “Who do you love?” The person that was chosen then answers with a physical trait of other people in the circle (ex. glasses, shoes, hair color, and style of cloths) and those people move to any seat they can get except for there own.

Duck, Duck, Squirt

Required: Squirt gun and clean bucket of water
Players: Small to medium groups

All players sit or stand in a circle. Pick a person to be it. They are to go around the circle like Duck, Duck, Goose but they say " Duck, Duck, Squirt". They then squirt a player and the chase begins. The "squirter" is to run around the circle and back to players position without getting tagged by the person that was squirted.

Three-Legged Balloon Race

Equipment:
Balloons and bandanas

Play:
Put your heads together and race!
This game is for 6 or more players and should be played outside or in an open area. Split into pairs and give each pair a balloon and a bandana. Standing side by side, have teammates use the bandana to tie their legs together. Then, teammates have to hold the balloon between their heads and race to the end of the playing field and back. If they drop their balloon, they have to start all over again. The team that gets back to the starting line first wins. Ready, set, go!

Spew

Equipment:
ALKA-SELTZER and some carbonated clear drink... such as Sprite, 7UP, maybe Ginger Ale, or Squirt

Play:
Tell each of your participants to place a single ALKA-SELTZER underneath their tongue. Don't worry.. they won't be able to taste or swallow it with it under the tongue.
Now... give them each a cup of the clear carbonated drink. Fill it with about 3 or 4 ounces. The OBJECT is to see who can hold it in their mouth the longest, but trust me, it will EXPLODE and SPEW out of their mouths! I wouldn't advise swallowing it. It won't hurt them but...YUCK! They must have at least a couple ounces in order for it to work... though it is not about how much they can "drink." It's about how long they can hold it.

Monday, April 13, 2009

Ideas for Picnic Planning

When was the last time you and your family had a picnic.

Well there are plenty of places to have a picnic so why not make the most of a lovely day. You can plan a picnic a week ahead or decide on the spur of the moment as the weather looks permitting and the kids are bored out of their minds.

The basics to organising a picnic:
• Venue
• Food and drinks
• Who and how many are going
• Games
• Equipment
• First aid box

Fun venues for a picnic with your family
• Beach
• Amusements park
• Zoo
• The woods
• The country side
• By a river bank
• Grounds of a stately home
• A accessible island

Once you are clear with where you want to go, pack a small snack or a lunch. You can include plenty of food to take on a picnic and if it’s a pre-planned make some of your family’s favorite food. If you don’t have time to waste drop down to local super market or bakery and pick out those ready to eat food.

Picnic food ideas that only take a few minutes to pack:
• Cupcakes, Bread, bagels and Cake from bakery
• Ham, Sausages and smoked chicken
• Sweet and savory pastries or pies
• Fresh fruit and vegetable salads
• Crisps
• Canned meat, fruits and vegetables
• Water and soda

Make sure you have enough food to go around as the outdoors has a funny habit of making you very hungry.

Fun picnic games
The games will depend on the venue and the age group of the kids and adults. But here are a few fun games that the whole family can participate.

• Sack race
• Lime and spoon race
• A game of cards
• Treasure hunt
• Throw a Frisbee or boomerang
• Skipping rope
• Wheel barrow race
• Hop scotch
• A game of baseball

Don’t forget the essentials
Picnic equipment is not as bulky and cumbersome to take around as it used to be. Technology has changed all that by manufacturing easy to carry picnic equipment. You will need the following on your picnic

• Picnic rugs
• Picnic baskets
• Picnic back packs
• Cooler bags
• Picnic tables and chairs
• Cups, plates, knives, forks and glasses
• Don’t forget the bottle opener and the cork screw

Safety is important
Don’t forget to take the first aid box for those little accidents the children might have.
Include the following:

• Scissors
• Plaster and lint
• Disinfectant

It is also important to keep the food safe from getting spoilt. Therefore:
• Pack the food with clean hands
• Make sure the food is thoroughly cooled down before packing
• Keep the cold food cool and the hot food heated
• Don’t prepare food day before
• Don’t pack drinks with food
• Take whole fruit and cut them at the time you eat
• Dispose the leftovers

Picnic games for your next picnic!

Gone are the days where a simple leisurely afternoon on a blanket is considered fun. In today’s society, we are active and going, we are looking for fun and games, even when we picnic! Picnic games do not have to be complicated; they can be easy, fun, and nearly free! Here’s a picnic game or two for you to try on your next picnic outing:

Picnic Game #1: Clothespin Tag
For those that want physical activity in their picnic game, try a little game of “Clothespin Tag.” Supplies include people (the more the merrier!) and a bag of clothespins. For this picnic game, the clothespins are available at any local variety store. Simply clip 2 or 3 clothespins at various spots on picnic attendee’s shirts. Then yell “GO!” The one with the most clothespins at the end of this picnic game wins!

Picnic Game #2: Chair Balance
Tired, take a seat with this picnic game, “Chair Balance.” See how long you can sit...without a chair! This is a fun activity you can do with your buddies. You'll need at least six people: four for each chair, one person to remove the chairs, and one person to spot the people on the chairs.

Set four chairs with the front of each chair touching the right side of each chair, making a square. Have your four friends sit on them so each person can lean back and rest his head on another person's lap. When all four people are lying on each other and their feet are firmly on the ground, take away the chairs. See how long everybody can stay balanced using only your legs.

Picnic Game #3: What in the world are YOU doing?
For those that would enjoy more mental exercise for their picnic game, try this variation on charades, called “What in the world are YOU doing?” To play this picnic game, the first player pretends to do something, like drink water. The next player asks “What in the world are YOU doing?” The first player answers, saying something other than what they were doing. In our example for this game, the first player, who was pretending to drink water might say, “I was driving my car.” Then the second player has to pretend they are driving a car, the third player then goes through the process again. This picnic game is best played fast, and if someone messes up and says what they were actually doing, they are out.

Picnic Game #4: Memory
For some more mental exercise, try a picnic game of “Memory”. Here's a clue: to your memory be true. To play this game you'll need a tray full of lots of different objects, a towel, a watch to time the game, and a good memory. Everyone who's playing gets 15 seconds to stare at the tray with all the objects. Use a watch to keep time. Then cover all the objects on the tray with a towel. Each player has 20 seconds to write down every object she can remember. All the players compare their lists. If anyone has the same objects on their lists, those objects get crossed off. Whoever has the most items not crossed off wins this fun picnic game!

Creative Picnic Games
The most successful picnic game is creative and unusual, because fun picnics should be also. Try out these picnic games next time you pack your picnic basket and it will be a picnic that you never forget!

Saturday, April 11, 2009

Treasure hunt or Scavenger hunt

Clues to answer and/or objects to find

A treasure hunt or scavenger hunt is terrific fun on a picnic but needs a little preparation in advance of course. Someone has to prepare the game by making up clues etc.

If you have a large number of people taking part, you can divide them into teams. Even grouping into couples is more fun than hunting individually and is also safer.

Depending on the ages of the group and the terrain of the picnic site, determine how far the boundaries will extend and make sure that it is safe territory for children –no main roads to cross etc.

Introduce the first clue to everyone and tell the hunters they will get the next clue when they find the first one. You can then place the second clue at the location they find by following the first clue. At the final location they should have to bring back something to prove they got there!

Alternatively you could give each team individual clues and send them on different routes to end up in the same place.

Another version of the game is to give each team a page of clues, each of which needs an answer and they have to find each location in the clue to find the answer. For example “what animal is named on the signpost at the entrance to the field?” or “what colour is the bench under the oak tree?”

Another kind of treasure hunt game is a scavenger hunt. In this hunt, as well as, or instead of answers to clues, the hunters have to bring back objects they’ve been asked to find.

Examples could be a pine cone, a smooth stone, a feather, a red leaf, something with a hole in it, a piece of plastic, etc.

Remember to list things that they could reasonably find and not to make the clues too difficult – they are always easy when you know the answer!

On the “Go” signal, they follow the first clue, going this way and that to find the next clue or answer to the next question.

The winners are the first back to home ground with all the answers and/or objects or an object found at the final location.
Alternatively the prize itself can be left at the final location. If the treasure hunt is for children, make sure there is some sort of prize for everyone!

If your picnic has a theme, then the clues and prizes could also follow that particular theme.

Friday, April 10, 2009

Cheesy Taco Dip

INGREDIENTS (Nutrition)
1 pound lean ground beef
3/4 cup water
1 (1.25 ounce) package taco seasoning mix
1 (16 ounce) can crushed tomatoes
1 (1 pound) loaf processed cheese, shredded

DIRECTIONS
In a large skillet, brown ground beef. Drain fat. Stir in seasoning packet and water. Bring to a boil, reduce heat to simmer. Let cook for 5 minutes, stir occasionally.
Place ground beef mixture into a slow cooker. Add tomatoes and cheese to the slow cooker.
Cook on low for 1 hour.

Milk Chocolate Fudge

1 pound fine-quality milk chocolate, chopped
1/2 stick (1/4 cup) unsalted butter
1 (14-ounce) can sweetened condensed milk
3/4 teaspoon salt

Line bottom of an 8-inch square baking pan with parchment paper or wax paper.

Heat all ingredients in a metal bowl set over a pan of barely simmering water, stirring occasionally, until smooth.

Pour into baking pan and chill, uncovered, until firm, about 4 hours. Run a knife around edges of pan and invert fudge onto a work surface. Remove parchment and cut fudge into 1-inch squares. Serve chilled.

Broccoli-Cheddar Dip

4 cups broccoli florets (10 ounces), cut into 1 1/2-inch pieces
3 scallions (white and green parts), trimmed and cut into 1/2-inch pieces (about 3/4 cup)
1 small garlic clove
10 ounces sharp Cheddar cheese, room temperature, cut into 3/4-inch cubes (about 2 cups)
4 ounces cream cheese, room temperature
1 cup plain whole or lowfat yogurt
1/4 teaspoon freshly ground black pepper
4 ounces bread sticks or pretzels, for serving

In large saucepan of boiling water, cook broccoli 1 minute. Immediately drain and rinse under cold water to stop cooking. Pat dry. Transfer half of broccoli to covered container and refrigerate until ready to serve. Transfer other half to food processor and add scallions and garlic. Pulse until finely chopped, about 10 (1-second) pulses. Transfer mixture to medium bowl.

In same processor, combine Cheddar and cream cheese and process until smooth, about 3 minutes. Return broccoli mixture to processor, add yogurt and pepper, and pulse until blended, about 15 (1-second) pulses. Transfer to large covered container and refrigerate until ready to serve. Serve dip with reserved broccoli florets and bread sticks or pretzels.

Transportation tips:
For simple, elegant, cooler-to-blanket serving, refrigerate the dip in a sturdy glass bowl with a lid, such as those made by Pyrex. If you'll be serving it to a large group, use two bowls for easy passing. Transport pretzels or breadsticks in their packaging and then place them in bowl at the picnic site, or transfer them at home to a Tupperware container and use that as a serving dish as well.

Frozen Watermelon-Lime Bars

For Watermelon Sorbet:
1 (2 1/2-pounds) piece of watermelon
1/2 cup sugar
2 tablespoons fresh lime juice
1 tablespoon tequila

For Lime Semifreddo:
1 (14-ounce) can sweetened condensed milk
1 teaspoon grated lime zest
1/2 cup fresh lime juice
1/2 cup chilled heavy cream

Equipment:
An ice cream maker

Make watermelon sorbet:
Line a 9-inch square baking pan (2 inches deep) with plastic wrap or parchment paper, leaving a 2-inch overhang. Put lined pan in freezer.

Coarsely chop watermelon flesh (leave seeds in), then purée enough to yield 2 1/2 cups in a blender.

Add sugar, juice, and tequila to purée and blend 30 seconds.

Freeze sorbet in ice cream maker. Transfer to lined baking pan, smoothing top. Put in freezer to harden, at least 1 hour.

Make lime semifreddo:
Whisk together condensed milk, zest, and juice. Beat cream until it just holds stiff peaks, then gently fold into condensed-milk mixture.

Spread over sorbet, smoothing top. Freeze until solid, at least 2 hours.

To serve, lift dessert from pan using plastic wrap. Cut into 12 bars and serve on chilled plates.

Chocolate Rice Krispies

5 tablespoons unsalted butter
3 tablespoons light butter
1/3 cup unsweetened cocoa powder
2 bags (10 ounces each) mini-marshmallows
10 cups crisp rice cereal
1/2 cup semisweet mini chocolate chips
Vegetable oil cooking spray

Combine butters and cocoa in a large saucepan over medium-high heat. Melt butter, whisking until mixture is well combined. Stir in marshmallows, melting them completely. Remove pan from heat and stir in cereal, working quickly before marshmallow mixture sets. Stir in chocolate chips. Coat hands with cooking spray and shape mixture into about 80 walnut-sized balls. Place balls on a baking sheet and let harden for about an hour. Store in an airtight container in a cool, dry place for up to 3 days. (Do not refrigerate.)

Turtle Bars

(makes 8 dozen)

Ingredients
2 cups all-purpose flour
1 cup packed brown sugar
1/2 cup butter or margarine, softened
1 cup pecan halves

Topping
2/3 cup butter or margarine
1/2 cup packed brown sugar
1 cup (6 ounces) semisweet chocolate chips

In a mixing bowl, beat flour, sugar and butter on medium sped for 2-3 minutes. Press firmly into an un-greased 13x9x2-inch baking pan. Arrange pecans over crust. Combine butter and brown sugar in a heavy saucepan. Bring to a boil; boil for 1 minute, stirring constantly. Pour over pecans. Bake at 350 degrees for 18-22 minutes or until bubbly. Sprinkle chocolate chips on top; let stand for 3 minutes. Spread chocolate but allow some chips to remain whole. Cool completely; cut into small squares. Enjoy!

Strawberry Delight

(makes 6 - 8 servings)

Ingredients
1 package vanilla instant pudding
1 package strawberry gelatin
2 ½ cups water
1 container Whipped Topping
1 cup sliced previously sweetened strawberries

Combine pudding mix, gelatin and water in saucepan. Cook and stir over medium heat until mixture comes to a full boil and is clear. Chill until slightly thickened. Blend Whipped Topping into chilled pudding mixture. Chill until firm (about 3 hours). Spoon into individual dessert glasses. Top with strawberries and enjoy!

Strawberry Blossoms

(makes 2 servings)

Ingredients
12 large, fresh strawberries, washed
3 oz cream cheese, softened
2 T confectioner's sugar
1 T sour cream
Fresh mint leaves for garnish (optional)

Remove stems from strawberries to form a flat base. Place berries on cutting surface, pointed end facing up. With a sharp knife, carefully slice each berry in half vertically to within a 1/4 inch of base. Cut each half into three wedges to form 6 petals. (Don't slice through the base.) Pull petals apart slightly. In a small bowl, combine cream cheese, powdered sugar and sour cream; beat until light and fluffy. With a pastry bag and star tip or small spoon, fill strawberries with cream cheese mixture.

Notes & Options: A plastic zipper sandwich bag can be used instead of a pastry bag by filling with cream cheese mixture and squeezing out excess air before sealing. Carefully cut one corner off of the bottom of the bag and squeeze mixture out through the cut. For added sweetness, you can use strawberry flavored cream cheese instead of plain.

Cream Cheese with Fresh Fruits

(makes 2 servings)

Ingredients
4 ounces cream cheese
¾ teaspoon of vanilla
3 teaspoons of fresh lemon juice
3 teaspoons of honey
1/16 teaspoon nutmeg, or mace
1/16 teaspoon cinnamon
2 tablespoons of cream or milk
2 tablespoons diced toasted almonds

In a bowl, blend all of the ingredients together, except the almonds. Chill it until you are ready to serve. Put into a bowl and top it with almonds. Place the bowl on plate and surround it with assorted fruits such as banana slices, strawberries, grapes, melon cubes, and peach or nectarine slices.

Salad Pizza

(makes 6 servings)

Ingredients
1 ready made pizza crust
4 ounces mixed salad greens
10 ounces cooked, boneless chicken breast halves, diced
1/4 cup Caesar salad dressing

Place the pizza shell on a pizza pan or platter and top with the greens. Place the chicken over the greens and drizzle with dressing. Slice and serve.

More Picnic Game Ideas for the Grown Ups

Opposites Attract
If you're having a rather large event of say, 20 or more people, this is a great game to play so everyone is introduced. Before hand, cut out as many small pieces of card paper as you have guests and write a color, adjective or object on half of them, making sure the word you choose has a complete opposite. For example, the words black, on, above, pretty, light, high, fun, and big are great words because they each have opposites which would be white, off, below, ugly, dark, low, misery, and little.

As each guest arrives, give them one of the cards and tell them they must find their opposite when he or she arrives and learn 5 things about that person. Once each person has arrived and the guests have become familiar with one another, give each person a moment to tell everyone who they met (their opposite) and the 5 things they learned about that person.

Merry Go Around
This is a hoot, especially for guests who have ever played acting warm ups in drama classes for school. Have all your guests sit or stand in a circle and have the first player (anyone) start the game off with a word. The word can be anything like zebra, can, cat, dog or understanding. The first player says their word and motions throwing the word at any other player. That player must then say the first word that comes to mind after hearing the first player's word. For example, when someone says cat, usually the first thing the next person thinks of is dog or meow. Whenever a player pauses or hesitates for more than 5 seconds, they are out! The last one standing wins!

Family Feud
If your picnic party has a majority of married couples or adult families, Family Feud is a great game to play. Whether you play the old fashioned board game version or the DVD version on a portable DVD player, this trivia guessing game is a genuine good time for adult picnic goers.

Assassin
Cut a small piece of card stock for each player and mark just one of them with an X. Fold the cards in half (make sure they are relatively small) and place them in a canister or can. As each guest arrives, let them choose a piece of paper but tell them not to look at it yet. When everyone has arrived assemble them in a group and explain the game to them. Then, on your mark have everyone quickly look at their card...and NO PEEKING at anyone else's card! The person who has the X on their card is the Assassin.

During conversation throughout the day, the assassin will wink secretly at people. When a person is winked at, they must declare that they've been hit! If another player thinks he's caught the assassin winking, they must declare the one they suspect! They only get one guess, and if they're correct, they win. If not, they are declared dead. The first person to guess correctly or the last person "alice" wins the game!

Entertain the Crowd!
We hope these fun games for adults add some spice to your picnic party. Whether it's for a birthday, anniversary, shower of some sort or just a fun picnic you've put together for the bonding and coming together of a group of friends, have a great time and be sure to take along the perfect picnic basket.

Picnic Games for the Adults!

Picnics are definitely a great time for kids. The food, the atmosphere, the parents being too engaged in conversation to see where they've flung their dessert--it's all part of the wonderful memories that children keep with them when they've grown. But picnics can also bring a sense of peace, tranquility and fun to the adults as well. This is especially true when you've chosen a location that isn't open to family activities, like coastal areas with beach bars on the sand or a country club with fresh open space for you to romp in. Some camping resorts have gorgeous back country to picnic on and usually don't allow young children in these areas so you're almost certain to have peace and quiet. So pack your picnic basket and call your closest friends. Here are some entertaining ideas from Picnic-Basket.com to make your adult picnic everything it can be.

Act the Part
This is a fun game where each player is out for himself. Silently, each player must choose a celebrity to give an impression of in under 15 seconds. He must act him or her out, whether as the celebrity or a character played by that celebrity. For example, Johnny Depp or the pirate he plays. A stop watch is required for this game but it's worth the trinket. Every player can take as many turns as he wants to gain more points. The opposing players and by-standers must guess at which celebrity or character is being acted out. The player who succeeds in being guessed the most times, wins!

Guess That....
Old fashioned blind-folded guessing games are making a come back amongst party goers and picnickers alike. Simply put, blindfolding guests and having them identify what they are drinking, holding or smelling can be a very interesting and exciting time. Have your guests guess which soda or alcohol they are drinking or which kind of pie they are eating. Make them keep eating until they guess! Some other fun choices would be which brand of hot dog is that? The possibilities are endless! Let's us know what you come up with!

Old Fashioned Pie Eating Contest
Line them up on your picnic tables and have your participants clasp their own hands behind their backs! These pies must be eaten in the messiest way! Give each player a helper as well, to remove the pie they've cleared and hand them the next. Be clear on your rules, however, to eliminate people from cheating by "smooshing". This is when a player makes their pie look like it's been eaten by smooshing it onto their faces and the table. This is wasteful, so be sure that pie eaters know that they have to eat every bite of the pie before moving on. To help the contest move forward with fun and resolution, make the pies shallow and smaller than a traditional pie. Only place a small amount of tasty filling in the bottom and leave most of the pie as cream. Banana, peach, vanilla cream and chocolate cream are great for pie eating contests.

Murder Mystery Picnic
Give your guests a great time by putting together a murder mystery for them to act out and guess over like the board game Clue. These are especially popular at Hollywood parties and clubs so why not your picnic? You can go to Host-Part.com and choose from many different murder mystery dinner games.

Poker for Lolly Pops
Using candy, tequila shots or liquor filled chocolates as your poker chips, play as many rounds of 3 and 5 card poker as you can. Dedicate the driver of the bunch, for drinkers, as the dealer and rules keeper of the games. The determined poker champion should win a jar for his winnings of candy or some other prize...be creative!

Shot Glass Checkers
For those who like to cut loose with the liquor, a Shot Glass Checkers Set from ShockinFun.com is just perfect. Whether your opponent has to drink when he loses a piece or you do, this great game can pass the time and make way for boisterous fun. If adult beverages are too strong for you, then substitute with your beverage of choice!

Outdoor Picnic Games For Children

A hilarious picnic game to play that is perfect for medium to large size groups is called "Blind Shoe Shuffle." The game begins with players standing in a circle. Each player is instructed to take off his or her shoes and throw them in the middle of the circle. Next, players are blindfolded, and the referee jumbles the heap of shoes into a large and disorganized pile. When the referee says, "Go," the players must begin to locate their shoes in the pile by using only their senses of touch and smell. The first player to locate their own shoes and place them on his or her feet wins the game.

For an entertaining game that adults and children will both enjoy, try "Undisclosed Treasure." This game requires a little advanced planning, but it's well worth it. Before the picnic, place an amount of money or a gift certificate in a plastic container with a lid. Next, wrap up the container in newspaper and Scotch tape. Then, begin wrapping the container in layers of various types of heavy-duty tape. Use electrical, masking, or any other type of tape until you have created a good size ball of tape that cannot be easily unraveled. The game starts with all of the players in a circle, and the first player rolling dice. If the player rolls doubles, he or she sits in the center of the circle and begins to peel away the layers of the ball of tape with the intention of getting to the "undisclosed treasure." This person will continue to work on the ball of tape until the next player rolls doubles. Each time a player rolls doubles, they will have the opportunity to unwrap the "undisclosed treasure." The person who unwraps the container gets to keep the treasure.

Kids Games for Picnics

A true crowd pleaser is called "Blind Shooter." The only equipment that you need to play are four cones or flags and a water gun. To start, place the cones or flags in four corners so that you have a well-defined space for the group to run around. Next, designate one person the blind shooter and the others are to stand within the marked space. The game begins by blindfolding the shooter and spinning him or her around 5 times. Then, place the shooter in the middle of the square and announce, "Begin shooting." The shooter will begin shooting the water gun, and whoever gets hit is out of the game. The players can move around as much as they like within the circle, but they can't touch the shooter. The last player to not get shot wins the game.

Egg Roll is another game that is easy to set up and loads of fun to play. With several cones or other markers, designate a start and finish line. Next, give each player one egg, preferably hardboiled, and have the group divide into two teams. Have teams line up at the starting line, and the first two players are to place their eggs on the ground. At "Ready, set, go," players are to roll their eggs, using their feet only, to the finish line. Players can use bare feet if preferred. When the first player crosses the line, the next player begins. The game ends when one team has all of their players successfully cross the finish line.

Children's Picnic Game Ideas

Here are a few children's picnic game ideas for kids between the ages of 3 to 6. If you have a several kids around then a sack race is a good picnic game idea for children. It's an easy concept for them to master and kids that age tend love activities where they can be very active. Teddy bear picnics are another great picnic game idea for small children although some older kids may enjoy them a great deal as well. Face painting is also a good picnic game idea for small kids. If you really want to spent some time preparing, a pinata is a fun picnic game idea for small kids.

Kids from the age of 6 to about 12 tend to want to play more complicated picnic games. Games like water balloon tosses and spoon/egg races are great are great picnic game ideas for kids in this age group. Even something as simple as a frisbee can be a great picnic game idea.

An unusual but fun picnic game idea is bat-run. All you need is a baseball bat or a long stick and an open area to play. Take the bat into an open area and made a goal about 30 ft away. Place one end on the bat on the ground, bend forward and place the other end to your forehead. Then spin around the bat 10 times. The object then is to find your way to a goal but it very difficult to do because you will be quite dizzy. The fastest time wins. This is a great picnic game idea for all ages and can be loads of fun as a company picnic idea.

There are also quite a few great picnic game ideas for teenagers as well. Badminton, volleyball and even just a simple game of catch are some good time-tested picnic game ideas. Baseball and softball are also good picnic game ideas but tend to fit in more at barbecues (BBQ). Perhaps the best children's picnic game idea is to simply have your picnic near water. Kids of all ages love to swim and play in the water.

Big Foot Picnic Game

To setup, you will need a large pair of rubber boots for each team, like fishing waders, that are big enough for players to slip on over their shoes. As well, you will need to have markers for a starting and a finish line. The distance from start to finish can be any length desired depending on the age and fitness level of the group. Divide players into teams of equal number and have each team place half of its players at the start line and the other half at the finish line.

To begin, the first members of each team are to put on the rubber boots. When the referee shouts, "Go," the players are to run to the finish line and take off the boots. The next players then are to put the boots on and run back to the start line. This continues until all players have crossed the playing field.

Picnic Games and Activities For Adults

One picnic game that is perfect for all of the golf lovers is a round of Frisbee golf. To play, you will need four white or brightly colored beach towels, enough Frisbees so that each person has one, and a paper and pencil to keep score. Place the towels far enough away that there is plenty of room to throw the Frisbee towards them. The rules are similar to standard golf. Each player will "tee off" by throwing the Frisbee with the goal of landing it on the first towel. After each player has thrown once, continue to throw the Frisbee until it lands on the towel. The number of throws is the score for that "hole." Once every player has landed his or her Frisbee on the towel, continue on to the next "hole." You can add additional "holes" by moving the towels, and the game can be played with any number of participants. The winner is the player with the lowest number of throws.

Another activity that is loads of fun and ideal for all of the wanna-be actors and actresses is a game of "Guess the Animal." Played like charades, the animal theme is ideal for the outdoors. Each player writes down the name of an animal on a small piece of paper and places it in a hat or bowl. Shuffle the pieces of paper, and let each player select one animal to act out. The players are not to share with anyone beforehand what animal they have chosen. Each player will take a turn pretending to be the animal that he or she has chosen, and they are forbidden to speak during their performance. However, they can nod or shake their head as the other players try to guess the animal. The player who guesses the animal first is the next one to present their animal to the group.

Thursday, April 9, 2009

PICNIC CORN SQUARES

1 can creamed corn
1 can corn, drained
1 (8 oz.) carton sour cream
1 stick butter, melted
1 box Jiffy corn bread mix
2 eggs
1 c. sharp Cheddar cheese, grated

Mix all ingredients except cheese until blended. Bake 30 minutes at 350 degrees in 9 x 13 inch pan. Top with cheese and bake 5 to 10 minutes more, just to melt cheese. Let cool slightly before cutting into squares. These are great for picnics as they serve like brownies.

Nutty Chocolate Chip Picnic Cake

1/2 cup miniature semisweet chocolate chips
1/3 cup packed brown sugar
1/3 cup chopped pecans
1 box Betty Crocker® SuperMoist® devil's food cake mix
Water, vegetable oil and eggs called for on cake mix box

1. Heat oven to 350°F (325°F for dark or nonstick pan). Mix chocolate chips, brown sugar and pecans; set aside.
2. Make and cool cake as directed on box for 13x9-inch pan--except sprinkle chocolate chip mixture on batter in pan before baking.
3. Store tightly covered.

Marshmallow-Granola Brownies

1 box (1 lb 6.5 oz) Betty Crocker® Original Supreme brownie mix
1/3 cup water
3 tablespoons vegetable oil
3 eggs
1 1/2 cups granola, slightly crushed
2 1/2 cups miniature marshmallows

1. Heat oven to 350ºF. Grease bottom only of 15x10x1-inch pan with shortening or cooking spray.
2. In medium bowl, stir brownie mix, pouch of chocolate syrup, water, oil and eggs about 50 strokes with spoon or until well blended. (Mixture may be lumpy.) Spread evenly in pan; sprinkle granola over batter.
3. Bake about 20 minutes or until toothpick inserted 2 inches from side of pan comes out clean or almost clean.
4. Sprinkle marshmallows over granola. Bake about 5 minutes or until marshmallows are golden brown. Cool completely for easier cutting, about 1 hour. For 45 bars, cut into 9 rows by 5 rows.

Watermelon and Strawberry Lemonade

INGREDIENTS
8 cups cubed seeded watermelon
1 cup fresh strawberries, halved
1/2 cup fresh lemon juice
1 cup white sugar
2 cups water

DIRECTIONS
Combine the watermelon, strawberries, lemon juice, sugar, and water in a blender. Blend until smooth.

Old Fashioned Potato Salad

INGREDIENTS
5 potatoes
3 eggs
1 cup chopped celery
1/2 cup chopped onion
1/2 cup sweet pickle relish
1/4 teaspoon garlic salt
1/4 teaspoon celery salt
1 tablespoon prepared mustard
ground black pepper to taste
1/4 cup mayonnaise

DIRECTIONS
Bring a large pot of salted water to a boil. Add potatoes and cook until tender but still firm, about 15 minutes. Drain, cool, peel and chop.
Place eggs in a saucepan and cover with cold water. Bring water to a boil; cover, remove from heat, and let eggs stand in hot water for 10 to 12 minutes. Remove from hot water, cool, peel and chop.
In a large bowl, combine the potatoes, eggs, celery, onion, relish, garlic salt, celery salt, mustard, pepper and mayonnaise. Mix together well and refrigerate until chilled.