MORE GRILLED PICNIC FOOD RECIPES

 

 

RANCH/ITALIAN MARINATED CHICKEN BREASTS

1 - 2 and 1/2 pound bag of  boneless chicken breasts
1 - 8 oz. bottle ranch dressing
1 - 8 oz. bottle zesty Italian dressing
Thaw chicken and place in a large bowl. Cut chicken breasts in half  and pour the Ranch and Italian dressings over the chicken. Cover and let sit in refrigerator for one hour.  Remove from refrigerator  and slowly mix the chicken around to get both flavors though out the breasts.
Return to the refrigerator for at least another hour or two. (MAY be done overnight, it gives  more flavor).
Turn up your grill,  add the chicken and watch the magic.
The combination of both the Ranch and Italian gives a unique, wonderful taste to these tender breasts.

 

GRILLED RIBS WITH BBQ SAUCE

4# of lean pork ribs
Black pepper and salt
1 bottle favorite BBQ sauce  
On a nicely heated charcoal grill (or gas grill), place the ribs and cook evenly and well browned, turning over often. Season as desired after the ribs have been turned once.
Make sure they are nice and browned and starting to tenderize. Now, preheat your oven to 350 degrees and place the ribs on a cookie sheet cover with the BBQ sauce and tent aluminum foil over them and seal the edges. Bake for an additional 30 minutes and turn oven to low and keep warm covered until ready to serve. You get the best of grilling and baking and very nice and tender ribs.

 

BEEF OR CHICKEN KABOBS
 

2# boneless chicken breasts
OR 2# boneless lean tender sirloin
Fresh whole mushrooms
Green, yellow, red pepper chunks
Onions cut into chunks
Zucchini, chunked
Grape or cherry tomatoes
Any other vegetable you may want to try
Italian dressing

Whether you choose chicken or steak is of course, up to you. They should be cut into 2 inch chunks or squares and put into a medium sized bowl to which you will add the Italian Dressing.  Marinate at least 2 hours or overnight.
Cut up all the vegetables you would like to use on your kabobs and alternate with the meats onto the skewers so you can evenly distribute for as many kabobs as you wish to make.
Heat your grill to a nice charcoal glow covered all in white ash...or use your gas grill and keep at medium heat.
Place the kabobs on the grill and cover (if you have a lid or kettle), and cook for at least 10 minutes. With tongs, turn them over and cook another 15 minutes. As they cook, the veggies will get soft and sometimes fall off so be careful as you pick them up to turn. Repeat on both sides as you did the first time 10 to 15 minutes each side. Remove them from the grill and put into a 300 degree oven and cover lightly with foil. Cook an additional 20 minutes and turn down to low to keep warm until serving.

 

FOIL-GRILLED POTATOES

(4 servings or adjust to as many as you need)
4 LARGE Idaho or Russet potatoes
1 large onion
Garlic salt
Pepper
Margarine spray
Aluminum foil

Tear enough aluminum foil to hold your potatoes and onions. Thinly slice each potato (with skin on and cleaned, of course) onto the foil… slice enough onion to lightly cover the potato...

Add garlic salt and pepper to taste... and spray margarine generously...

Close and seal each pouch so there a little room for the steam and flavors to mix.

Place the potatoes preferably on the top rack while the chicken or other meats are cooking. You may want to place them directly onto the main rack after the meat is done and keep an eye on it so it doesn't burn.

Total cooking time shouldn't be over 45 minutes.

MEMORIAL DAY PICNIC/ 4TH OF JULY MENU AND RECIPES

Variety Sausages, hot dogs and/or hamburgers
Baked Beans
Potato Salad OR
Pasta Salad
Assorted Veggies/Dip
Foil-Grilled Potatoes
Deviled Eggs
Mallow Fruit Salad

GEORGIA'S BAKED BEANS

4 - 16 oz. can pork and beans
1 medium onion, chopped
1 small green pepper, chopped
1/2 pound bacon, cooked medium well, cut into pieces (save some bacon grease)
1/4 pound ground chuck, cooked and drained
Ketchup
Brown mustard
Brown sugar

In a medium frying pan, saute the chopped onion and green pepper in the bacon grease until limp.

In a large bowl, mix the pork and beans, onions, green pepper, chopped up bacon, cooked ground chuck, 1/4 cup ketchup, 2 Tablespoons brown mustard, and about 1/2 cup brown sugar.

Mix well til completely blended. Bake in a 350 degree oven for about one hour uncovered. Turn oven down to 300 degrees, cover and bake for another hour at least. Shut off oven and allow to sit an additional hour covered to get the full flavor of all the ingredients...

GEORGIA'S POTATO SALAD

5# potatoes, boiled, skinned, and cubed
3 eggs, boiled and cut up
32 oz. jar Mayonnaise
Italian dressing
Yellow mustard
Green onions (bunch), chopped
Carrots (baby), about 5 cut up
1/2 stalk celery (including leaves), chopped
Garlic salt
Ground black pepper

Cook the potatoes and after they are cool (or easy enough to handle by hand), peel the skins and cube and place into a large bowl. Add the cut up hard boiled eggs at this time. Sprinkle approximately 4 oz. of Italian dressing and a large squirt of yellow mustard on the potatoes. Shake and mix and let sit for at least a half hour (enough time to cut up veggies).
In the meanwhile, chop all the vegetables (not too fine) and mix very carefully with a heavy duty spoon (preferably wooden). Start with about two cups of mayonnaise, 1 tablespoon garlic salt, and 1 heaping teaspoon of black pepper. Again mix very carefully, but thoroughly. You want to be sure to mix all the flavors, but not to mash up or break up the potatoes.

At this time, taste the mixture and see if the flavors have mixed and if there is enough salt and mayonnaise. If not, add more a little at a time until the flavor and consistency match.

Cover and set in the refrigerator to chill at least two hours. The longer it sits, the better it tastes. Again this will make everyone come back for seconds. I guarantee it!!!

 TUNA/CHICKEN PASTA SALAD

1 pound cooked, cooled pasta---any kind
1 can water-packed tuna or chicken, drained
2 eggs, hard boiled and cut-up
1 large onion, 1 green pepper, 2 stalks celery, 1 carrot, 4 radishes, 1 cucumber, 1 large tomato, 1/4 head of lettuce (finely shredded)....(all vegetables chopped)
4 - 6 oz. bottled Italian dressing
Mayonnaise
1 tsp. yellow mustard
1 tsp. garlic salt
1 tsp. black pepper

Pour Italian dressing over cooked pasta, toss and set aside. After 15 minutes, add black pepper, garlic salt and yellow mustard and toss again to mix flavors. Put in refrigerator, covered, and allow 30 minutes to marinate.
At that time, add the chopped eggs, vegetables, and tuna or chicken. Start with at least 1 cup of mayonnaise and toss well. Mixture should be a creamy consistency. Add more mayo and salt to taste, a little at a time.

Cover and refrigerate for at least one hour before serving.

 FOIL-GRILLED POTATOES

(4 servings....adjust to as many as you need)
4 LARGE Idaho or Russet potatoes
1 large onion
Garlic Salt
Pepper
Margarine Spray
Aluminum Foil

Tear enough aluminum foil to hold your potatoes and onions. Thinly slice each potato (with skin on and cleaned, of course), onto the foil.. slice enough onion to lightly cover the potato...

Add garlic salt and pepper to taste.. and spray margarine generously..

Close and seal each pouch so there a little room for the steam and flavors to mix.

Place the potatoes preferably on the top rack while the chicken or other meats are cooking. You may want to place them directly onto the main rack after the meat is done and keep an eye on it so it doesn't burn.

Total cooking time shouldn't be over 45 minutes.

DEVILED EGGS

Ingredients:
1 dozen eggs (hard boiled, cooled, and peeled)
Light mayonnaise
Yellow mustard
Ranch dressing
Garlic Salt
Pepper

Slice the eggs in half lengthwise. Put the cooked yolks into a bowl and place the white halves on a plate. After all the eggs have been cut and separated, mash and mix up the yolks until they are as fine and smooth as possible. To this add about 4 heaping tablespoons mayonnaise, a hefty squirt of yellow mustard, and two tablespoons of ranch dressing. With a mixer, blend these all together until smooth and creamy. Add just enough garlic salt and pepper to taste.

With a teaspoon drop enough mixture into the center of the whites to make it look full and rounded (not flat). For an added touch, (if you like, you may add a shake of paprika or some finely sliced green olives). If not, just leave them plain, cover with plastic and refrigerate until needed.
 

MALLOW FRUIT SALAD

2 cans (11 ounces) mandarin orange segments, drained
1 can (20 oz.) pineapple chunks, drained
1 jar(4 oz.) maraschino cherries
3 cups miniature marshmallows
1 cup broken walnuts
1 - 12 oz. Cool whip

Toss orange segments, pineapple, cherries, marshmallows and walnuts.....Fold cool whip into the fruit and cover and refrigerate at least one hour...Dreamy and creamy...(Serves 10)

MICROWAVE ICED TEA
     Using an empty gallon milk/water container, place 6 tea bags (without tags) in the bottom and fill about 1/4 full of water. Place in microwave and heat on high for 5 minutes.
     Let stand for about 10 minutes to steep and add enough water to about 7/8 of the way to the top.
     If Mom likes the tea unsweetened, then just refrigerate it. If she likes it sweetened, add 1 and 1/2 cups of sugar, place lid on and shake until the sugar is dissolved.
     Then chill in refrigerator till you need it. (A nice touch would be lemon cut on the side or fresh mint, if it's available).

Memorial Day AND Veteran's Day/ Never Forget!!

 MEMORIAL DAY AND VETERAN'S DAY

May We Always Remember

MEMORIAL DAY 
May 30, 2022

This is the day we set aside to remember those who  died while bravely serving our country to give us our liberty.  These men and women gave the ultimate sacrifice with their lives. I always feel that Memorial Day and Veterans’s Day go hand in hand,  but also their differences, that’s why I have them together.  

There is a difference between them all, so here's a good way to remember all these holidays.

Memorial Day History

Veteran's Day

On November 11th  we remember the veterans who have served our country everywhere, at home, on the sea and in the air.   But we especially remember the Armistice which was signed in the Forest of Compiegne by the Allies and the Germans in 1918, ending World War I, after four years of conflict.

Veterans Day|Military

to view an informative page about this special holiday.  This day was formerly named "Armistice Day". Both of these special holidays honor our veterans and those who gave the ultimate sacrifice, that's why I have them both on here today.

And we must remember that freedom is NOT free

We remember those who served and gave their lives in World War I

World War II remembered

From the Pacific campaigns to France, Germany, England and beyond, our men and women fought this war and did not come home til it was over.

Til they saw our flag flying...they fought on.

Then came the Korean War from 1950 to 1953.

 

 This is the Korean War Memorial In Washington, D.C,.

23,615 killed in action

And, let's NEVER forget the brave women who fought, nursed our men to health, and provided moral support to all those who serve.  God bless you!!!

33,000 served in World War One and almost 500,000 took part in World War Two.  During the Korean era 120,000 women were in uniform. An estimated 11,500 American women served in Vietnam, about 90 percent of them as medical personnel. During Desert Storm seven per cent of the total U.S. forces deployed were women - over forty thousand of them. At this time, I do not have the current number of women who have served in Aghanistan and Iraq, but 200,000 women in total serve with the armed forces.

The military provides for the spiritual needs of its personnel by offering religious services, moral guidance, and counseling. Chaplains conduct worship services for military personnel and perform other spiritual duties covering the beliefs and practices of all religious faiths. They sometimes also put their lives on the line.  Thank you!

Then, there was Viet Nam.  The war that no one wanted and that no one accepted.   Those brave men and women who fought did so because they were there to help free the people and for our freedom ultimately.   A total of 58,178 were killed either in action, died of their wounds later, died while in captivity and illness.  My husband proudly served with the 3rd Marine Division at Da Nang Air Wing, MAG 11- AW 232 from 1965 - 1966.   I am so very proud of him and thankful to God that He brought him back home to me.

Sgt. Thomas L. Sawhook

Semper Fi!

From Khe Sahn to Drang Valley to  the Gulf of Tonkin to the Tet Offensive, our men fought strong and hard.

During Viet Nam as in other wars, another unsung hero were the K-9 War Dogs.

Perhaps the most unsung heroes are the K-9 Dogs Of War. Their natural instincts for love and loyality for their masters is boundless. American War Dogs that have been trained for combat have proven time and again they are man's best friend especially in the trenches. These dogs are also trained for parachute landings.

These 4-legged angels lived, bonded and fought side-by-side with our soldiers...our veterans...our POW/MIA's.

"America's war dogs were trained to recognize booby traps, mines tunnels and weapons caches. They warned troops about ambushes. They saved lives by dragging wounded soldiers to safety.

America's war dogs prevented over 10,000 casualties in Vietnam alone and bravely served our country in Operation Desert Storm, as well as WWII."

Information for this subject was found on

K-9 War Dogs.... American Heroes

Let's NEVER forget those that were left behind in the harshest of circumstances.  May they live on in our memory forever.

We miss those who gave their all.

Iraqi Freedom and Afghanistan

And now to all our troops who have served and continue to serve in the Middle East, Afghanistan, and Iraq from Desert Storm to Iraqi Freedom.  We lift our hearts to you and pray your safe return. And for those who continue to fight the war on terror all over the world. 

I do not have the current number of fallen heroes in Iraq and Afghanistan.

One thing about America is

MEMORIAL DAY LINKS

A Day Of Remembrance, by my friend Peggie

At Barbara's Entourage, a friend from Alabama

Annie's Memorial Day Page

MOTHER'S DAY REMEMBRANCES

Her Children Arise Up And Call Her Blessed

"In the Beginning...."

Far, far away and long ago, there was a little girl who once dreamed and shared her dream with her mother that one day, when she was all grown up, she was going to get married and have five babies just like her mother and grandmother both had.  She also was very determined as she grew older that she was going to have them all "natural" and breast feed every one.  Some plan, eh?


  Yes, and, she was going to be a secretary or an interpreter in Washington, D.C.  What an adventurer and what a dreamer!  This little girl loved to climb trees, build cabins (based on her favorite series of books from "The Boxcar Children"), draw landscapes with pastels or charcoal on the hill behind her house, and sing like an opera singer.  She was the youngest of five children and had quite an astounding imagination (which on occasion would get her into trouble).  She was her Mom's "tonic for her old age" and her Daddy's little "princess" and "pumpkin."  She could also talk her way out of most situations with that big smile and those big brown eyes.


     It's amazing what dreams and plans become as we move from childhood to adulthood.  Well, that little girl was "ME" and it's something how we can look back on  55 years of life and see where those dreams have taken us.
  

      I DID have those five children ...plus two more.   I  DID have them all (except the first one) natural childbirth.  I DID breast feed every, single last one of them.  A total of 63 months (or 70 lunar months or six years and ten months) of pregnancy.   An approximate total of 49 months (or four years and one month) of breast feeding.  That making a grand total of  TEN YEARS AND 11 MONTHS of the first 18 years of our marriage either pregnant or nursing!!!   I know that this is NO world record.   But, baby, that's a lot of dirty diapers down the road!   Wouldn't you say?

     I  don't climb trees anymore (really... I probably can't).  Haven't built any clubhouses or cabins lately.  I DO draw occasionally (usually when coloring in a coloring book with the kids or grandkids).   The one famous picture I draw is a landscape with a lake and mountains and a setting sun with some foliage and a couple birds flying around. This picture has been handed down already from my daughter to her son.  What a heritage!

   Now..I  DO  sing and every so often a chorus from "Phantom of the Opera"  sneaks out, but most of my singing is done is church where I LOVE  to share about my precious Lord.  I WAS a secretary for the year after I graduated from high school until the day I married my Marine Corps hubby, Tom.
 And, NO I never did make it to Washington, D.C. to be an interpreter for some foreign diplomat. I HAVE interpreted more baby talk than I care to talk about....And I will sing  "The Via Dolorosa" at Easter time and an occasional Ukrainian song.   This,  my family just loves to hear.   Smile..

      I may have not achieved all my childhood plans and dreams, but I know that I've experienced a lot more than any one person could have ever wanted or asked for in the life of this "little girl from Butler, Pennsylvania."

(Excerpts from  "Potty Training To Puberty....The Pits..(With Hugs Along The Way)"  by Georgia Sawhook)

A Mother is the one through whom God whispers love to his little children.


DEAR MOM,
Thank you.....
Thank you for rocking my cradle.
Thank you for changing my diapers..often.
Thank you for potty training me and for being so proud when I got it right.
Thank you for playing This Little Piggy with my little piggies.
Thank you for letting me sleep with blankie.
Thank you for keeping your cool through my terrible twos, and my tiring threes and my fearsome fours, and....
Thank you for tucking me in at night and wishing me sweet dreams....and for promising not to let the bedbugs bite
Thank you for praying with me and teaching me HOW to pray
Thank you for chasing me around with a tissue to wipe my nose so that I wouldn't use my sleeves...or yours..
Thank you for reminding me to change my underwear...in case I'd get into an accident.
Thank you for checking under the bed when I swore there was a monster there.
Thank you for saving the toilet paper rolls for my mice, Minnie and Magic.
Thank you for packing my lunch every day for school.
Thank you for making my favorite dinners for my birthdays.
Thank you for waking me up when I slept in.
Thank you for being there, no matter how late it was, so that when I beeped the horn, I wouldn't be afraid to get out of the car.
Thank you for "NOT" lying for me when I WAS home.
Thank you for loving me.

A Mom's gift is always the best because it's wrapped in love and tied up with heartstrings....

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Have you given mom a hug today?..Stop by this special Hug page..

Hugs, Hugs, Hugs

An angel paused in his downward flight
With a seed of truth and love and light,
And he said, "Where must this seed be sown
To bring most fruit when it is grown?"
The Master heard what he said and smiled,
"Go plant it for Me in the heart of a child."
-----Selected.

BIBLE BITS..

Who was the mother who sacrificially hid her child then gave him up? Exodus 2:1-9 and Exodus 6:20

Who was the kind, hospitable mother who gave Elisha room and board and ultimately was blessed by the miracle of her son's being brought back to life?  2 Kings 4:8-37


A SPECIAL REMEMBRANCE

This remembrance is in honor of my own precious mother.....Anne.  My mom was born December 20, 1913 in Butler, Pennsylvania.  Her parents came from Ukraine and Poland in the early 1900's and settled in Western Pennsylvania where Granpa opened a grocery store and bakery. Mom quickly learned the trade and she and my father took over the business before I was born.
She was an awesome cook and baked the best bread.  Every Saturday, you could smell cinnamon rolls or doughnuts and fresh bread baking in our small kitchen.  In the summer, she would can pickles (yummy..) and all sorts of goodies that were kept in the basement.
 Mom always said..."Waste not..want not".. and she was very careful to provide handmade dresses for her four daughters and we were always neat and clean. We also had an older brother, Chuck or Charles (as she would always call him).
  She taught us respect of the elderly and to be kind and always to speak to people.  As we grew and left home, Mom and Dad had so much fun just shopping together and bowling and especially playing Scrabble.  The saddest day of Mom's life was when my Dad, Mike, died after a long battle with cancer.  Mom didn't think she could go on.. But she pushed on and became more involved with her volunteer work with United Cerebral Palsy and working in the Hospital Gift Shop once a month.  She continued her bowling too.  As a matter of fact, in April 1995, Mom bowled the highest on her team and they won the tournament.  She was 80 years old.
  Within the next two months, we knew something was wrong with Mom.  We found out at the end of June, she had cancer. She was admitted to the hospital July 1, 1995 and stayed until August 2, 1995 when our precious Lord Jesus took her home.  My fondest remembrance of her in the hospital was my last visit...when I sang "My Jesus I Love Thee" to her. I'll never forget it!! I love you and miss you, Mama.   See you later.

IN MEMORY OF.
Eleanor Sawhook....May 2, 1923 to May 4, 1999


This is a special token of my love to my mother-in-law, Eleanor, who went  home to be with the Lord today after a 12 year battle with breast cancer....she lived a very rich and full life and the Lord was definitely merciful to her in her last weeks...Thank you Lord for giving her the strength...You are truly so wonderful...We miss you!!!!

Definitions From a Mom's Perspective

Terrible Two's - Having both kids at home all summer.
Panic- What a Mom goes through when her baby's wind-up swing stops.
Walls - Complete set of drawing paper for kids that comes with every room.
"I said so" - Reason enough, according to Mom.
Pets - Small, furry creatures which follow kids home so Mom will have someone ELSE to clean up after.
Maybe - "NO"
Cook- An act of preparing food for consumption .....(or Mom's other name).
Quiet - A state of household serenity which occurs before the birth of the first child and again after the last child has left for college.
"When your father gets home..." - The standard measure of time between the crime and the punishment.
Jackpot - When all the kids stay at a friends' home for the night.

BIBLE BITS

What mother and grandmother were instrumental in leading a young boy to the Lord with the early knowledge of the scriptures?  II Timothy 1:5
 What mother-to-be was shocked that she was having a baby at her age?  Genesis 18:11-15

"The father of the righteous shall greatly rejoice: and he that begetteth a wise child shall have joy of him.  Thy father and thy mother shall be glad, and she that bare thee shall rejoice."

Annie's Mother's Day Page

A Tribute To Mothers with Barbara

Peggie's Place Mama Quest