In your own backyard or at a favorite picnic spot, now's the time to enjoy good
times and good food in the great outdoors. Just like any meal or gathering, organization
is the key to a relaxing get-together, so let's start planning.
Pick Your Place
Who says you have to pack everyone into the car to enjoy a meal outdoors? Your own
backyard could be the perfect venue for a grill-side gathering. Or, consider a nearby
park, community landmark, or sports field for your picnicking—these places come
with entertainment, built right in.
Just remember, always show respect for your surroundings. Obey local laws regarding
open campfires. Don't bring anything to a public site that you can't take away with
you when you leave. Remove all trash, including any leftover food.
Keep it simple, yet special
Create a menu with something for everyone. Grilled hot dogs and burgers are perennial
crowd-pleasers enjoyed by adults and kids alike. Try enhancing these traditional
favorites with a little something extra—like Coney Island Dogs topped with Hormel®
Chili, or Bacon Blue Cheese Burgers with Hormel®
Bacon Toppings. Or how about a fast and tasty Grilled Pepperoni Pizza made with
the Hormel® Pepperoni that pizza-lovers prefer? Inventive twists like
these can really up your grilling game.
The same goes for packing a picnic. Give the standard sandwich a little more heft
with hearty bread such as a baguette, since softer breads can get soggy over time.
Our Avocado Ham Sandwiches begin with small
loaves of French bread filled with delicious slices of Hormel® Natural Choice®
Cooked Deli Ham, Pepper Jack cheese, and toppings. Yummm!
Grilling, well-done!
Did you know that, according to experts, the best barbequed meat does not require
a barbeque sauce to improve its flavor? The smoked quality of the meat, plus the
herbs and spices that are added to the meat before cooking, provide ample flavor.
Barbeque sauce can be used sparingly to further enhance the flavor—it's all up to
you!
Hormel® Always Tender® meats are all pre-marinated for
superb tenderness, juiciness and flavor, so there's no prep time and no cleanup
required. You can choose from more than 40 varieties, all grill-ready and ready-to-go.
Waste Not
You can find 100 percent biodegradable paper and plastic tableware out there—some
actually made from corn and potatoes!—but it can be a little more costly. Look for
sales, or better yet, serve foods that can be eaten without knives and forks. Here's
a delicious "kebab" style recipe for Pork and Pepper Skewers with Chile-Lime Sauce
that can be served on pita bread—hands only needed to enjoy!
Safety first
"Preparing and serving grilled entrees and side dishes in warm weather can be tricky,"
says Hormel Foods' test kitchen director Joan Hanson. "Keeping food safe should
be a top priority." Here are some food safety tips:
- Keep it cool: To prevent
bacteria growth, keep perishable foods, like potato salad, in the refrigerator or
a cooler until just before serving. Also, always thaw meat in the refrigerator or
cooler, never at room temperature or in the sun.
- Trust the temp: Bring your
meat thermometer; cook hamburger and pork to 160 degrees F. and chicken and turkey
to 165 degrees F. Here's a good rule: if the juices do not run clear, keep cooking.
- When in doubt, throw it out:
After the meal, throw away any leftovers that have become wet or have been left
out for one hour on hot days.