Picnic Anyone?

Do you go on picnics and take your picnic basket?  I admit that I love to picnic but seems like every time I do I forget that I even own a picnic basket or picnic backpack.

I received a very special gift from my friend when I got married that was a very nice picnic satchel so to speak.  It has everything you could imagine from the silverware, to plastic wine glasses to a cutting board for cheese.

I haven't taken any picnic baskets or picnic backpacks out other than a paper bag or a cooler is because it's too of a nice set.  Also because we normally just run down to the park so it's not like the beach that has some romantic appeal or anything.  I guess I should really get to using it!

I'd really like to make an effort and enjoy things like that.  Do you picnic a lot?  If you are planning a special one, what are some of your favorite foods/drinks to take?

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Apple Dumplings

This is a delicious must try dish!!  This works well for breakfast or desert.  The pictures do not do it justice.   It's a big hit in our house and I hope it will be at yours;) 

Ingredients

4 apples (peeled and cut into 6 slices)

1 can 10 count biscuits (cut in half)

2 sticks margarine or butter

2 cups white sugar

3 to 4 Tbsp of Cinnamon (to taste)

1 cup chopped pecans

1/2 cup of Mt. Dew or generic soda

Directions
Preheat oven to 350.  Wrap each apple in a biscuit half.  Place in a casserole dish.  Combine and melt butter, sugar and cinnamon in microwave or stove top.  Pour over apples.  Top with pecans then pour Mt. Dew over the top of your dish.  Bake  uncovered about 45 minutes or until nice and brown.

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Menu Plan Monday

Here's what's on the line up this week!  My line up last week failed miserably.  I had a root canal last week and so it was applesauce, mashed potaoes, and can soups for me.  The family made out okay eating well...mostly junk..lol


Monday - Creamy Ham/Potato Soup and Salad

Tuesday - Charleston Style Red Rice W/ Smoked Sausage

Wednesday -  Sliced Chicken Breast Spinach Salad

Thursday - Cheesy Enchilada's

Friday - Leftover Party ;)

Saturday - open

Sunday - open

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School Lunch Ideas

It's back to school in our area so I thought I'd share with you some ideas to keep a little variety in the school lunch box if you pack yours. Some of these I do now and some I grew up on. Of course it all depends on what your little ones likes and what your personal tastes are. I for one don't send something that needs to keep it's temperature unless I have an insulated lunch box or thermos to keep it in. I hope you enjoy the list and feel free to leave your family favorites in the comments and I will add them to the list as well!

Image by eeds_sf via Flickr

School Lunch Ideas

Fruits and Veggies
Cut Strawberries - A personal favorite at our house!
Blackberries
Pickle Slices
Carrots or Broccoli W/ Ranch
Cherry/Grape Tomatoes
To-Go Fruit cups
Grapes
Fruit Salad
Applesauce
Oranges
Lemon Slices - My little one likes these!
Mandarin Slices - Another favorite of ours!
Clementines
Raisins

Main
PB and J
Tuna Sandwich
Chicken Cesar Salad Wraps
Turkey Sandwich
Peanut Butter, Mayo and Banana Sandwich - I grew up on this!
Pasta
Pizza Slice
Hot Dog - I save little Ketchup and Mustard packets from fast food
Corn Dog
Meat and Cheese Cubes W/ Crackers
BLT
Mac N Cheese W/ Tuna and Peas
Subs
Soup and Crackers - if you have a Thermos
Chicken Nuggets

Extras
Brownie
Cookie
Fig Newtons
Chips, Pretzels, Goldfish
Yogurt (can be frozen to maintain cold)
Boiled Egg
String Cheese
Granola Bar
Trail Mix
Slim Jim

Drinks
YooHoo
Yogurt Drinks
Milk from School or Home
Gatorade
Water - Plain or flavored - Also if it's a hot day, I may freeze these so they are nice and refreshing
100% Fruit Juices

And of course if you really want to make your little one special you can always add a little post it note inside of the lunch!!

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Judy's Meatloaf

Judy used to be a neighbor of mine and when she cooked you could smell the goodness seeping from her house!  This is one of her meatloaf recipes.  Origionally she gave it to me without measurements. Over the years I have added "suggested measurements" according to my taste.   Hope you enjoy!

Ingredients

1 lb to 1 1/2 hamburger

1/2 small onion chopped

1Tbs garlic (chopped fresh or minced)

5 Tbs thick worchestershire sauce

1/2 cup Italian bread crumbs

1 tsp steak spice

1 tsp seasoning salt

2 eggs
ketchup

Directions
Preheat oven to 350.  Mix all together except the ketchup. Bake about 50 minutes until grease is running off the sides and is getting firm.  Then add ketchup and broil for about 10 minutes.  (Check with a thermometer to make sure its finally done) Let sit for a few minutes before cutting. 
Tip 1 - Add more worchestershire sauce if not moist enough for you
Tip 2 - I spray Pam on my dish so the juices don't stick too bad
Tip 3 - This makes great meatloaf sandwichs too!

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Easy Peach Cake

Ingredients

White cake mix

can of peaches chopped and drained

Tub of Whipped Topping (Cool Whip or generic)

Directions

Make your cake mix according to box directions except you will add the peaches to your mix before baking.  (Don't forget to use only egg whites!)  Bake according to box directions.   I bake this in 2 separate cake pans.  When they are done and cooled completely I  layer them with whipped topping in between.  I also frost with the entire outside of the cakes with whipped topping.  Refridgerate and enjoy!!

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McCormick Steak Marinade

I was out grocery shopping the other day and came across a McCormick Grill Mates Brown Sugar Bourbon Steak Marinade.

It sounded so good that I thought I would try it.  All you do is mix a little oil and water with the mix and pour over your meat.

You don't have to let it sit on there that long like other marinades.  Thirty minutes seemed to do the trick. 

These turned out to be great!!  This is a marinade we will try to keep in mind.  I have since tried it on other cuts of steak other than the T-Bone and it was still pretty good.  Have you tried any of the McCormick marinades?

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Creamy Fettucini Alfredo

This is one of my favorite recipes.  If you are dieting, this may not be the recipe for you.  This is loaded with gooey fatty goodness!


Ingredients
1 (8oz) pkg. Cream cheese
1/2 cup Margarine or Butter
1/2 cup Milk or Half n Half
1 cup grated or shredded Parmesan cheese
8 oz. cooked fettucini

Directions
In a large saucepan over low heat, combine -  cream cheese, milk, parmesan cheese, and margarine.  Stir until smooth.  Once smooth, add your fettucini and toss. 

I often eat mine just the way it is.  But, for a complete meal you could add either chicken, shrimp, or veggies!
Garnish with chopped fresh parsley.

Reheat tips- Your sauce will thicken as it sits.  So, stir in a little milk to it when you reheat it!

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Country Fried Cube Steak

Can we say Southern Comfort Food here?  I grew up on cube steak and I throw it right in with my "country" food category.  I'm not sure why because they sell it pretty much anywhere but it's something about it that reminds me of back home. 

I basically start off with my favorite worchestershire sauce, some eggs - whisked with hot sauce with a touch of milk, flour - generously seasoned with salt/pepper and garlic powder, and cube steaks.

First I pour the worchestershire goodness over my cubesteaks.  I also from time to time add some Texas Pete in my eggs.  I then start getting my oil ready.

You don't need a lot of oil just enough to cover about a 1/2 inch of the bottom of the pan.  I have a gas stove so I basically put mine on high first and let my oil get hot then once I start cooking, I turn it down a tad so it won't burn up.

When the oils ready, I dip my cube steak in the egg mixture then in the flour.  Coating all sides well.

I fry mine for about 10 minutes on each side.  I only flip them once one side is nice and browned.  I lay them on a paper towel lined plate to drain the grease.

Serve as is or you can add a little bit of flour and some half n half or milk to the pan with all it's burnt looking flour pieces and whisk up a tasty gravy!

I find that with gravy it's not as "specific" with measurements as other things.  It's all a matter of how thick or runny you want it. I start off with just a little milk and flour and whisk.  I turn it down on a simmer and just keep whisking and adding until it's just how you like it.

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Menu Plan Monday

Well I've jumped on the band wagon and joined in on Menu Plan Monday.  Here's what I plan on making this week which of course is subject to change here and there ;)

Monday - BBQ Ribs

Tuesday - Baked Spaghetti

Wednesday - Leftovers

Thursday - Tacos or Burritos

Friday - Pork Chops (didn't have last week)

Saturday - Beef Roast in Crock Pot

Sunday - Steak on the Grill

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LunchSkins Review/Giveaway Closed

 

Whether you care about our environment, saving money, eating healthy, or looking stylish, LunchSkins are the answer to your plastic baggie blues -- they offer an environmental benefit (reduce landfill waste), a practical benefit (they can be used hundreds of times and save you money over the long run), and a healthy choice (food tastes better in a pastry bag). 

I had the opportunity to review this wonderful product.  What I found right off was that the velcro on the baggies are very strong.  I can see that these are quality bags made to last a long time!  They carry a variety of different styles and sizes to suit your needs. 

I received the  Fruit Series Sandwich Bag and a Snack Bag.  The Sandwich Bag is very durable.  The key points that I like about it besides the cute designs are dishwasher safe, quick drying, and hand sewn in the USA.  I got many ideas from the LunchSkins Website on what other items to use the Sandwich Bag on besides fruits and sandwiches.  Here are a few:  Cosmetics, Dog Treat, Crayons, Toys, etc.  These are absolutely wonderful multi functional bags!  

The Yellow Striped Snack Bag I received has the same great quality and characteristics as the Sandwich Bag only smaller.  I packed these in school lunches with grapes and other little goodies.  These are much better than plastic baggies and my family really loves them.  They make lunch or snacking fun.  

Seen in Oprah Magazine 
You can find and purchase Lunchskins and other green products at their website. 

GIVEAWAY Winner

#13. vicky said...

I follow via Google connect! Vicky vmccarville@hotmail.com

One lucky reader will win a $10 Gift Certificate for use on the LunchSkins website!

Mandatory Entry - Please visit Lunchskins and leave a comment telling me what your favorite design is!

Extra Entries

-Follow Time 2 Eat Yall via GFC
-Tweet about this giveaway!! 1 per day
-Blog about this giveaway!! 

-Subscribe to Time 2 Eat Yall via a Reader
-Subscribe to Time 2 Eat Yall via email and verify

That's it!!  GOOD LUCK!!

Giveaway ends September 28, 2010 at 11:59 pm EST.  Winner will be chosen at random and will have 48 hours to respond. 

There was no compensation for this review. The opinions expressed are my own and I was not swayed by the items mentioned above.

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Grilling Zucchini

I absolutely love grilled zucchini!  This is another of my favorite produce stand finds.  However, what I've learned about these is that the bigger they are the bigger the seeds.  I try to pluck them out if I'm able before grilling if they are big.  Basically I just layer them up on some aluminum foil and sprinkle with salt, pepper, a few dollops of butter and some onion sliced up.

I wrap it up with the aluminum foil (loosely) and place on a hot grill.
These do not take long at all and are great side items.  I cook them until they are soft. 

Serve them up in a bowl and Enjoy!

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Summer Watermelon

If you ever have the time to stop off at a produce stand at the side of the road do it!  They have the best home grown fruits and veggies around.  Most of the time the prices beat any grocery store as well.  Here's a watermelon that I picked up locally.

As I cut it, the fruity watermelon scent went right up my nose.  It was so ripe and ready to be eaten!

I sliced it into chunks and tossed it in my watermelon bowl.  We like ours with a dash of salt.  How about you?

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Menu Plan Monday

Well I've jumped on the band wagon and joined in on Menu Plan Monday.  Here's what I plan on making this week which of course is subject to change here and there ;)

Monday -??  Our kitchen is being repainted today so dinner is up in the air right now. 

Tuesday - Chicken Alfredo W/ Broccoli

Wednesday - Spaghetti W/ Garlic Bread

Thursday - Fried Pork Chops W/ Potatoes and Green Beans

Friday - Tacos or Burittos

Saturday - Open

Sunday - Open

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CSN Stores $35 Gift Certificate Giveaway CLOSED

Have you ever heard of CSN Stores?  They are a collection of over 200 online stores where you can find nearly anything whether it be a dining sets, cookware, tools, cribs, lighting, bedding, kitchen aprons, briefcases, and tons more!   Whatever your needs I'm sure you can find what your looking for at CSN Stores.

CSN Stores has also offered one lucky reader from Time 2 Eat Yall a chance to win a $35 Gift Certificate!!  

WINNER

150. Ardy22 said...

FOLLOW YOU GOOGLE FRIEND ARDY22 ardy2.........

US and Canada ONLY.  


Mandatory Entry - Please visit CSN Stores then come back and tell me what you would use your gift certificate on!   Leave your email with your comment ex time2eatyall at gmail dot com so I can notify you if you win!


Bonus Entries:

-Follow Time 2 Eat Yall via GFC
-Tweet about this giveaway!! 1 per day
-Blog about this giveaway!! 

-Subscribe to Time 2 Eat Yall via a Reader
-Subscribe to Time 2 Eat Yall via email and verify

That's it!!  GOOD LUCK!!

Giveaway ends September 25, 2010 at 11:59 pm EST.  Winner will be chosen at random and will have 48 hours to respond. 

There was no compensation for this review. The opinions expressed are my own and I was not swayed by the items mentioned above.

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Potato Taco Casserole

Ingredients
1 cup Pepper Jack Cheese Shredded
1 Cup Cheddar Cheese Shredded
1 Bag Ore-Ida Potatoes O Brien thawed
1 lb or so of cooked Taco meat seasoned
4 oz Cream Cheese Softened mixed with about 1/2-1 cup of Salsa


Directions
Preaheat oven to 350. Combine all of your ingredients reserving some of the cheese for the top.
Place in a greased casserole dish and bake for about 45 minutes until your potatoes are nice and soft.

Add the rest of your cheese to the top the last 10 minutes it's in the oven.

We like to top ours with a load of sour cream!

Enjoy!

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Ideas For Left Over Pasta Sauce

We've all been there, you've had your fill of eating left over spaghetti and need a way to use up the left over sauce!  Or, as usual you have more sauce than you boiled noodles!  Instead of "forgetting" about it in the back of your fridge, go ahead and freeze it or try some of these ideas to get that sauce used up - thinking outside of the box!

• My fav - Stuffed bell peppers!  Take the sauce add some cooked rice to it and use for filling in your green peppers.  Bake until peppers are soft.
• Marinara Sauce - This one is great for the kiddos!  Use this for cheese sticks or french bread.  Here is a quickie recipe - Cut up some mozarella cheese, dip in egg, then in italian bread crumbs and fry til golden brown!  Also, you could use it with fried mushrooms and calamari.
• Use as pizza sauce or baked ziti sauce
• Make homeade "bagel bites" - Use a plain bagel, add sauce, cheese and your personal toppings.
• Make a quickie mini pizza (great for kids) - Use refrigerated biscuits, mash down flat, add sauce, cheese and personal toppings and bake as directed for your biscuits!
• Use in soup!  A lot of vegetable soups have a tomato base anyway.  It could be a veggie/beef soup.
• And last but not least, if you don't want to freeze it,  how about a meatball sub!

These were just some random ideas I'd thought I'd share with ya because that's what I'm doing today!  If you have ideas you would like to add, please drop a comment in the comment section!

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CSN Review

Have you ever heard of CSN Stores? They are a collection of over 200 online stores where you can find nearly anything whether it be a dutch oven, tools, cribs, lighting and tons more! Whatever your needs I'm sure you can find what your looking for at CSN Stores.

For review I initially was going to pick a dutch oven!  I really liked the Le Creuset ones they have on their site especially the red ones.  However, since we we're in the heat of Summer I chose the Coastal Skewers.  I've always used the throw away sticks so this was a nice treat!

For starters the Coastal Skewers I wanted were out of stock.  But, CSN emailed me as soon as they we're available which was nice.  I probably waited a week or so for them to become in stock.  Furthermore, placing my order was easy and I was immediately updated on the shipping status along with a link to check daily if I so choose.  They arrived in excellent condition.

The Coastal Skewers I received are wonderful!  They have two slim metal prongs so that you can grill something small like shrimp or big like steak kabobs.  They come in a set of four and hold a lot of food!  Over all I am very ecstatic about my new set of skewers and my first CSN ordering experience.

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Menu Plan Monday - Late Edition

Well I've jumped on the band wagon and joined in on Menu Plan Monday.  Here's what I plan on making this week which of course is subject to change here and there ;)

Monday - Labor Day - We grilled Steaks

Tuesday - Leftover Chili from our 60 degree day this past Saturday

Wednesday - Chicken Breasts W/ green beans and bread

Thursday - Baked Pork Chops with Apples and Stuffing HERE - Thursday kicks off football season!

Friday - Grilled Blue Cheese Burgers and Hot Dogs  - weather permitting

Saturday - Open

Sunday - Open - Maybe football foods!!

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Tuna Roll-Ups

This is a yummy little snack that's really super easy to make.  I only use 4 ingredients.  The first time I had this years ago it was made with liquid smoke.  You can find that near the worchestershire sauce at your grocery store.  But ever since these Tuna Creations packets came out I have found that you really don't need that to get the flavor.  Everytime I make these they are gone before the evening is over!  I am usually HUNGRY when I make these so I don't take the time to chill them so that the cream cheese firms back up.  That's why they are not perfect little circles.  However, if you want presentation and less mess it's best to chill your rolls before slicing them.

Simple Ingredients

1 pack Tuna Creations Hickory Smoke Flavor

1 8 oz Cream Cheese - Room Temperature

3 Flour Tortillas

Sliced Green Onions - I like a lot but taste as you go!

Directions

Simply Mix all your ingredients together.  Lay a generous layer of your mix on each Tortilla shell.  Then roll each up and wrap with plastic wrap and refrigerate until firm.  After, take them out and remove the plastic wrap and slice up your rolls into little pinwheel bite size pieces and enjoy!

Also, don't take the time to cut your green onions - just use a pair of scissors to cut the ends off it's a lot quicker that way!

 Enjoy!

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