EDIBLES
Five ways to up your summer get-together menu

(BPT) – Neighborhood cookouts are quintessentially summer, and totally fun. Because of that, it’s no surprise that you may want to host them as often as possible, even every weekend if you could. But that introduces a new challenge – how do you keep your events fresh and interesting for your guests?
Multiple events allow you the opportunity to switch things up and make your individual get-togethers more special. So with that in mind, here’s a list of five ways you can up your game and take your cookouts to the next level this year.
* Smoke your meat without the smoker. Not only is this possible, it’s quite easy to do. Clean out a used metal can – the larger the better – and remove its label. Once the can is ready, fill it half full of wood chips – try apple wood for a more mild smokiness, or hickory for something a bit stronger. Cover the lid with foil and poke three to four holes, each about half an inch in size. Finally, place the can on your grill; you should start to see smoke rising from the holes in 10 minutes or less. Cook your meat around this can and keep the grill closed whenever possible to lock in that smoky flavor.
* Refresh old classics. The cheeseburger is a summer event mainstay and one you don’t need to sacrifice simply because you’re trying to switch things up. Instead of abandoning the cheeseburger altogether, why not give it a distinctly new taste instead? Castello Burger Blue Cheese is conveniently sliced and made to melt on any burger. Its creamy and characteristically tangy notes of blue feature balanced sweet and salty undertones, making it a good match for everything from traditional beef burgers all the way to Portobello veggie burgers. And if crumbles are more your thing, the Castello Burger Blue Cheese Shaker will turn your traditional cheeseburger into a delicious crumble creation in no time. All you have to do is shake and enjoy.
* Theme your get-together. This one could mean different things to different groups, but determining the best theme for your guest list is half the fun. If your guests are well traveled, host an “around the world” party and ask each guest to bring a dish from a different country. Or try a nostalgic approach with a summer camp theme featuring rustic picnic spreads, a campfire and games. Find a theme that matches the interests of your group and everyone will be excited to jump on board.
* Change up the menu. A cookout can have a very unique feel – and taste – simply by altering the side dishes you offer. This is a wonderful opportunity to show off your creative side and replace those same-old sides with new flavors like macaroni with blue cheese with bacon or baked sweet potatoes loaded with pulled barbecue chicken and Castello Extra Mature Cheddar cheese. You can find these and many more recipes on Castello’s website, so take the time to explore and discover the perfect solution to tantalize your guests’ taste buds.
* Shift the timeline. Cookouts are generally seen as an afternoon event, but you can always switch things up by adjusting the timeline. Invite friends and family over for a brunch cookout to enjoy before spending the day at the beach or ball game. Think pancakes, bacon and eggs on the grill using a cast-iron skillet, fresh squeezed orange juice and frozen melon balls for cooling down. Mix it up and your group is sure to appreciate the change.
The sooner you plan, the sooner you can celebrate
No matter the theme, time or menu for your event, a little planning goes a long way, so don’t delay. Your next-level summer get-together is just waiting for you to bring it to life, and once you finish your first cookout, there will be no stopping you from planning your second … and third … and … more!
EDIBLES
Elevate your menu for a legendary backyard barbecue

(Family Features) Summer is here and it’s time to hit the grill. Take at-home entertaining to the next level by upgrading everyone’s favorite cheeseburger with ground pork.
Family and friends will love this elevated twist on a summer favorite that is oh-so-deliciously different than the traditional beef patty. These Pork and Bacon Burgers are made with Heritage Duroc pork, known for its rich flavor and juiciness, and will be a hit at your next barbecue. The crispy bacon adds another level of texture and flavor, making these juicy burgers a gourmet treat that rivals any takeout burger. Celebrating 150 years as the premium all-natural meat choice for families, Coleman All Natural Meats offers a variety of products that are sourced from American family farmers who humanely raise livestock with no antibiotics ever and no added hormones.
Find more recipes to elevate your grilling experience at ColemanNatural.com.

Pork and Bacon Burgers
Prep time: 10 minutes
Cook time: 10 minutes
Servings: 6
- 2 pounds Coleman Ground Pork
- 1/4 pound ground pork chorizo
- 1 medium onion, diced
- 2 cloves garlic, minced
- 1 teaspoon pepper
- 1 teaspoon salt
- 6 cheese slices (optional)
- 6 hamburger buns
- 6-8 strips Coleman Hickory Smoked Uncured Bacon, cooked
- tomato slices (optional)
- red onion slices (optional)
- lettuce (optional)
- ketchup (optional)
- mayonnaise (optional)
- Preheat grill to medium heat.
- In large mixing bowl, combine ground pork, chorizo, onion, garlic, salt and pepper.
- Gently mix ingredients, being careful not to overwork meat.
- Divide meat into six burger patties.
- Cook burgers 3-4 minutes per side until internal temperature reaches 145 F or desired doneness.
- During last 2-3 minutes of cooking, place cheese slices on top of burgers to melt, if desired.
- Transfer burgers to platter. Assemble burgers with buns, bacon, tomato slices, red onion slices, lettuce, ketchup and mayonnaise, as desired.
Tip: Burger patties may be frozen up to 1 month. Fully defrost before cooking.
SOURCE:
EDIBLES
Tackle your family’s hunger with a touch of heat

(Family Features) It’s easy to get into a recipe rut when every day feels the same – work, kids’ activities, social events and bedtime routines make it tough to experiment in the kitchen. If your family’s meals are growing boring, all you need is a touch of heat to bring new life to the menu.
Add a delicious blend of savory, sweet and a hint of spice to mealtime with Minute Hot Honey Chicken Seasoned Rice Cups, which are ready to serve fast for busy families. Packed with flavor, they complement main courses, snacks and sides without the hassle.
With just the right balance of heat and honey, they add delicious sizzle and mouthwatering flavor to recipes like Hot Honey Chicken Meatball Subs. Perfectly toasted hoagie rolls are packed with spicy, sweet chicken meatballs and smothered in melted provolone for a tough-to-top taste. Ready in 35 minutes, the subs offer a blend of convenience and gourmet flavor, making this meal an unbeatable choice at dinner time.
Sandwiches deliver an easy way to make mealtime customizable so all your loved ones are satisfied. Try topping your subs with coleslaw for a crunchy, creamy texture or pickled vegetables for an added touch of tanginess to complement the sweet, rich meatballs. For fans of spice, turn up the heat with extra hot sauce.
Solve afternoon hunger pangs with these Hot Honey Chicken Rice Crackers and Ranch Dip, loaded with the sweet heat of hot honey chicken and baked to crispy perfection. This inventive snack is uniquely crunchy and flavorful, blending fiery sweetness with savory chicken flavor as a convenient way to shake up snack time.
For the adventurous types, these homemade crackers pair with more than just ranch. Engage your taste buds further with these suggestions:
- Spicy cheese dip: Add a little extra kick with cheese dip that’s spiced up with jalapenos or chili flakes.
- Cucumber dill yogurt: A perfect match for the sweet heat of hot honey chicken with its refreshing, cooling effect.
- Barbecue sauce: Smoky and slightly sweet, it pairs well with the honey in the crackers.
- Garlic aioli: Rich and garlicky, this dip brings a robust flavor contrast to the table.
Discover more ways to shake up mealtimes by visiting MinuteRice.com.

Hot Honey Chicken Meatball Subs
Prep time: 5 minutes
Cook time: 30 minutes
Servings: 4
- 1 Minute Hot Honey Chicken Seasoned Rice Cup
- 1 pound ground chicken
- 1 teaspoon salt
- 1 teaspoon cayenne pepper (optional)
- 1/4 cup breadcrumbs
- 4 hoagie rolls
- 2 tablespoons butter
- 4 slices provolone cheese
- garlic sauce, for garnish
- Preheat oven to 375 F. Heat rice according to package directions.
- In large bowl, mix rice; chicken; salt; cayenne, if desired; and breadcrumbs.
- Use cookie scoop or hand roll chicken mixture into balls. Place on aluminum foil-lined sheet tray, leaving small space between each ball. Bake 25 minutes, flipping meatballs halfway through.
- Slice hoagies in half, lengthwise. Remove some bread from middle to make room for meatballs. Butter inside of each hoagie and place on sheet tray.
- Once meatballs are cooked through, turn broiler on high and place buttered hoagies in oven. Cook 1 minute, or until butter is melted and hoagie has browned.
- Remove hoagies from oven, place 3-4 meatballs inside (depending on size) and cover with slice of cheese. Broil on high 30 seconds to melt cheese.
- Drizzle garlic sauce on top.
Tip: Garlic sauce can be substituted with topping of choice.

Hot Honey Chicken Rice Crackers andRanch Dip
Prep time: 5 minutes
Cook time: 20 minutes
Servings: 2
- 1 Minute Hot Honey Chicken Seasoned Rice Cup
- 1 cup sour cream
- 1/2 packet ranch dip seasoning
- Preheat oven to 400 F. Heat rice according to package directions.
- Lay rice on parchment paper. Place another sheet of parchment paper on top. Use rolling pin to roll out rice into thin layer.
- Bake 20 minutes.
- In medium bowl, mix sour cream and ranch seasoning.
- Once crackers are cooked, cut into squares while still hot. Allow to cool.
- Serve crackers with ranch dip.
Tip: Ranch dip can be substituted with hummus or any flavored dip.
SOURCE:
Minute Rice
EDIBLES
Create fresh, filling springtime salads

(Family Features) When the crisp air of spring tickles your face and sunrays splash you with warmth, you know salad season has arrived. With fresh flavors abounding this season, the options are nearly endless – just choose your favorite base, toppings and dressings and you’re set with a delicious first course or hearty meal all on its own.
Not every salad requires leafy greens for the base, however. Consider this Greek Beet and Watermelon Rice Salad, a Greek-inspired Jasmine rice dish loaded with fresh, tangy flavors that are sure to please your taste buds. Made with Success Boil-in-Bag Jasmine Rice that cooks up soft and fluffy every time, this recipe offers a hint of floral, sweet flavor to keep you feeling full. In just 10 minutes, you can have sweetly aromatic Jasmine rice that’s perfect for your lifestyle needs – it’s naturally gluten free, non-GMO Project Verified and free of MSG and preservatives.
Fruit salad may be nothing new, particularly when using fruits like oranges, cherries or grapes, but watermelon may be the fun new spin you need at your next cookout. The pairing of sweet watermelon, tangy feta cheese, refreshing mint, earthy beets, nuts and fluffy rice offers a winning combination. Quick tip: Make sure the rice is fully cooled after cooking to avoid a warm, watery result.
Fresh herbs, tomatoes, corn, basmati rice and a simple vinaigrette make Spring Corn and Rice Salad another delicious seasonal side that’s ready in just 15 minutes. Step out of your salad comfort zone with this refreshing solution that makes it easy to add veggies to your diet. When you’re drawing up weekly meal plans and tired of relying on traditional lettuce-based salads, consider rice salads as an alternative for enjoying chopped vegetables – plus, hearty rice can help keep you full longer.
Better yet, you can make this rice salad your own by experimenting with the ingredients. Try adding shredded chicken, hard-boiled eggs, fresh mango, ground cumin, fresh grated ginger, grilled corn or any other springtime flavors.
Remember, high quality doesn’t have to be high maintenance. Aromatic, premium long-grain Success Boil-in-Bag Basmati Rice is a no measure, no mess option that cooks up perfectly every time. Aside from being naturally gluten free, it’s also free of preservatives and MSG and is non-GMO Project Verified. It’s no stranger to versatility either – in 10 minutes, you can enjoy basmati rice’s subtle, nutty flavor and unique texture alongside other warm-weather favorites.
Find more ways to enjoy spring salad season by visiting SuccessRice.com.

Greek Beet and Watermelon Rice Salad
Prep time: 15 minutes
Cook time: 10 minutes
Servings: 4
- 1 bag Success Jasmine Rice
- 1/4 cup olive oil
- 2 tablespoons lemon juice
- 1/4 teaspoon salt
- 1/4 teaspoon black pepper
- 1 cup thinly sliced, cooked golden beets
- 1 cup thinly sliced watermelon
- 1/4 cup feta cheese, crumbled
- 1/4 cup pitted black olives, halved
- 1/4 cup red onion, thinly sliced
- 1 tablespoon fresh mint, thinly sliced
- 2 tablespoons walnuts, toasted and chopped, for garnish
- Prepare rice according to package directions. Allow to cool completely.
- In medium bowl, whisk oil, lemon juice, salt and pepper.
- Add rice to bowl with dressing and stir to combine. Let stand 5 minutes.
- Transfer rice to serving platter. Lay beet slices down one side of rice. Lay watermelon slices down opposite side. Top with feta, olives, red onion and mint. Garnish with walnuts.
Tips: Substitute capers for olives, if preferred.
To diminish “raw” flavor of onions, soak in ice water at least 5 minutes before using in recipe.
Use roasted, boiled, steamed or grilled beets.

Spring Corn and Rice Salad
Prep time: 5 minutes
Cook time: 10 minutes
Servings: 4
- 1 bag Success Basmati Rice
- 1 cup frozen corn, thawed
- 2 Roma tomatoes, seeded and diced
- 1/2 cup minced fresh basil
- 1/2 cup diced red onion
- 1/2 cup vinaigrette dressing
- 2 green onions, chopped
- 1/2 teaspoon salt
- 1/2 teaspoon black pepper
- Prepare rice according to package directions. Allow to cool completely.
- In medium bowl, combine corn, tomatoes, basil, red onions, vinaigrette and green onions. Fold in rice, salt and pepper.
- Serve salad at room temperature or chilled.
SOURCE:
Success Rice
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