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Host an Epic Early Summer BBQ

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Skip the same old, same old burgers and hot dogs at your Memorial Day BBQ this year. Instead, go big or go home with incredibly easy recipes with ingredients straight from the local commissary!

Host an Epic Early Summer BBQ

These are some of my own go-to recipes for my own BBQs and cookouts. As a busy mom with two little kids, I default to things that I can make super quickly and easily, even sometimes with a little slow cooker support.

Easy Baked Beans

You’ll need:

  • one can each beans: kidney, black, navy
  • molasses to taste
  • 1/4 cup brown sugar
  • 1/4 cup apple cider vinegar
  • 1/2 lb bacon or salt pork
  • 1 onion
  • 1 red pepper
  • 1 clove garlic
  • spices: paprika, salt, pepper to taste

How to:

First, brown the bacon, let cool and roughly chop. Dice the onion and red pepper. Quickly saute in a hot pan. In a crock pot set on high, combine the beans, onions, red pepper, bacon, sugar, vinegar, molasses, garlic and spices.

Mix to combine. Cook on high for 1-2 hours, then turn to low or warm until serving.

Simple Juicy Ribs

You’ll need:

  • rack of ribs
  • brown sugar
  • spices: salt, pepper, cinnamon, paprika, chili powder, nutmeg, cloves

How to:

Combine the brown sugar, amounts will vary but start with 3/4 cup, with the spices. Vary the amounts based on what spice to sweetness ratio you prefer. Add more paprika and chili powder for spicier ribs; pump up the cinnamon and sugar for sweetness.

Before you add the rub to the ribs, preheat the oven to 400. Now, spread the sugar mix over the ribs, over both sides, in a foil lined rimmed baking pan.

Pop the ribs in the oven for about 10-15 min to develop a crust. Then drop the heat to 350 for about an hour. At the end of the hour, preheat the grill.

Through the ribs on the grill for about 20 minutes to finish, flipping at least once.

Chop into individual ribs and serve hot.

Berry-licious Salad

You’ll Need:

  • blackberries, blueberries, raspberries, strawberries
  • granny smith apple
  • pecans or walnuts
  • loose leaf spinach
  • lemon juice, olive oil, salt, pepper

How to:

Rinse and roughly chop the apple. Rinse the berries and spinach, too. Chop the nuts. Toss the spinach, apple, berries and nuts in a large salad bowl.

Mix the lemon juice, oil, salt and pepper in a small container until combined. When ready to serve, add the dressing to the salad.

Yummy Peach-Berry Pie

You’ll need:

  • 2 Pilsbury prepared pie crusts
  • 1-2 bags frozen peaches
  • 1-2 bags frozen berries of choice
  • 1/4 cup brown sugar
  • cinnamon, nutmeg, ginger, cloves, allspice to taste

How to:

Defrost the peaches and berries. It’s okay if they’re not 100% thawed out. Combine the fruit in a large bowl with the sugar, cinnamon, and spices. Mix well.

In a pie pan, unroll one pie crust and pat down gently. Spoon the fruit mixture into the pie crust. Top with the second crust. Use a fork to poke holes into the upper crust.

Bake for 10-15 minutes at 400. Lower the heat to 350 and keep baking until the top crust is golden brown and crispy, about 45-60 min.

Photo Credit: © exclusive-design /Adobe Stock

Mix Up the Sides

You don’t need to DIY or homemake every single item at your epic BBQ. Far from it! With yummy pre-made sides and extras from the commissary, it’s simple to host a feast for your friends.

Add rolls baked fresh in the commissary bakery, plus some cold cuts and cheese from the deli, for an easy sandwich station. Spice it up with gourmet mustards, mayo, pickles, olives and sliced veggies for an extra dose of deliciousness.

Make your own chips and dips bar. Grab a ton of chips from the snack aisle. My faves are the Lime Tostitos and Lays Salt & Vinegar. My kids love dipping wavy chips into French onion dip! There are also a ton of options for salsa, guacamole and hummus.

You can also grab a ton of pre-made sides, like pasta and potato salads. It’s easy to add a little extra variety to your buffet with a few containers of these easy sides.

Don’t forget the produce section! Not everything has to be pre-packaged or made from scratch. Grab fresh veggies and fruits to make self-serve platters.

Make a fruit tray with sliced apples, pineapples, grapes and orange slices. You could make it more festive with a sweet fruit dip.

DIY a veggie platter with cucumber and carrot sticks, plus sliced bell peppers and broccoli. You could add some olives and cherry tomatoes, too.

Don’t make everything yourself. Ask your friends and family to pitch in and make it a potluck! You’ll be able to try some of their favorite BBQ dishes while sharing your specialties, too.

What are your go-to BBQ dishes to make, take or share during the summer? We’d love to steal your recipes!

The Sweetness of Red, White & Blue

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Top 10 delicious recipes for Fourth of July

Red, white and blue desserts are guaranteed to impress your guests.

Red. White. Blue. These 3 simple colors put together evoke emotions of the American spirit, ignite the passions of a patriot and the need for a mouth to chant U-S-A. This week we celebrate Independence Day.

More than 326 million Americans will commemorate the birth of our nation by waving handheld flags at community parades, grilling hamburgers and hot dogs with their neighbors and under the darkness “oohing” and “ahhing” at the bright flashes of fireworks.

I always associate the Fourth of July with flag-themed desserts.

The dessert doesn’t necessarily have to be an edible flag, but if you want to impress your guests, it helps to be creative. Thankfully strawberries and blueberries are in season this month and make flag creation affordable and delicious.

Here are my top 10 recipe recommendations for red, white and blue treats.

Fourth of July JELL-O

Using a package of berry blue gelatin and a package of strawberry gelatin, you can easily create blue and red JELL-O cubes. This dessert is perfect for a party with lots of little fingers. JELL-O is especially delicious when it’s cubed. One note: Plan ahead to have enough time to allow the JELL-O to set.

Patriotic Gelatin Salad

We all know that Independence Day is July 4th, but I don’t limit the festive food to one single day. My family enjoys eating Fourth of July desserts throughout the entire month. For that reason, I skip on making Patriotic Gelatin Salad on the holiday, but make it for a neighborhood potluck on a week when I have extra time and the patience for the steps of dissolving gelatin, placing that layer in the fluted tube pan and then chilling it for more than 30 minutes before adding another layer.

Firecracker Red, White and Blue Cake

This cake is red, white and blue on both the inside and out. You prepare the cake batter as directed on the box before dividing it into 3 bowls (one for red food coloring, one for blue and the other is the white batter). Once the cake is baked and cooled completely, you drizzle the white frosting back and forth around the cake in a striping pattern before drizzling blue and red frosting on it. Make sure all 3 colors of frosting can be seen on the cake.

Red, White and Blue Strawberry Shortcake

My childhood best friend Kelly’s birthday is July 3. Guess what type of birthday cake she had every year? This Red, White and Blue Strawberry Shortcake. I always liked how the sliced strawberries are arranged as the stripes to create the American flag. Always serve this cake chilled from the refrigerator.

Patriotic JELL-O Cake

Another cake that is served chilled is this Patriotic JELL-O Cake. In this recipe, you prepare and bake 2 round white cakes as directed on the box. Once the cakes are cooled, you pierce each cake with a fork. Then take 2 boxes of dissolved JELL-O (red and blue) and pour one type of JELL-O over one cake. Repeat with the other type of JELL-O on the other cake. Refrigerator at least 2 hours before assembling and spreading frosting between the layers and on the outside of the cake. Expect your friends to be impressed with the swirls of red and blue inside the cake.

Easy Strawberry and Blueberry Dessert

This easy and beautiful dessert is perfect for the Fourth of July. It takes minimal prep time, yet it will taste delicious. Note: It makes 4 to 6 servings, so be prepared to double the recipe if you are entertaining friends.

Top 10 Fourth of July desserts

Strawberries add the flare of red to any Fourth of July dessert.

Red, White and Blue Banana Split

Another cool dessert is the Red, White and Blue Banana Split. It’s a refreshing dessert that using strawberries, blueberries, pineapples and bananas. Perfect if you are celebrating the holiday in Hawaii.

These final 3 recipes are equally delicious and patriotic.

JELL-O Easy Patriotic Pie
The Flag Cheesecake
Patriotic No-Bake Cheesecake

Now that you have the makings for a festive dessert, the only thing missing is the sparklers.

What’s your favorite dessert to serve on the Fourth of July?

12 Days of Holiday-Inspired Cocktails

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′Tis the season of holiday parties and office gatherings. Along with the shrimp cocktails and plates of holiday cookies, now is the time of year when a special holiday cocktail can make those celebrations with friends and family something memorable.

Inspired by the song “The Twelve Days of Christmas,” here are 12 drink recipes to try this holiday season.

12 Days of Holiday-Inspired Cocktails

A Partridge in a Pear Tree

Ahhh, pears. They are often forgotten about when it comes to holiday entertaining, but they offer a nice alternative to apples and pumpkin. Together with ginger and bourbon, pears are the featured flavor in this holiday beverage that is just sweet enough to be something special. Here’s the recipe for a Ginger & Pear Bourbon Cocktail.

Two Turtle Doves

I’m not really sure what a turtle dove is, but I when I hear the word turtle, I automatically think chocolate and caramel. This drink has it all, complete with a pecan glass rimmer and topped with whipped cream! Let me introduce you to the Turtle Caketini.

Three French Hens

Even hens are fancier in France, so is it any wonder that a French cocktail could be just what you need to give your holiday party some pizazz? Here’s a whole list of French cocktails, but my favorite is French 75. You can’t go wrong when champagne is involved.

Four Calling Birds

Whether you are flocking together with family or friends, a drink inspired by calling birds is sure to please even the sourest humbug. Here’s the recipe for The Jungle Bird Cocktail.

Five Golden Rings

Be it 24 karat or 100 proof, gold for the holidays is always in style.

This one takes a little work, but oh, it’s so worth it. Take the bright, sweet flavor of pineapple and marry it with traditional holiday spices like cinnamon and clove. Served hot, this drink will warm you inside and out!

12 Days of Holiday-Inspired Cocktails

Now is the time of year when a special holiday drink can make those celebrations with friends and family something memorable.

Six Geese A Laying

What do you get when you’ve got six geese a laying? A whole lot of eggs. And while this drink recipe doesn’t actually contain any eggs, a spiked egg cream will bring back memories of yesteryear while helping you create new memories in the present.

Seven Swans A Swimming

Graceful and beautiful, but have you ever wondered what a swan who took a dive on the dark side would look like?

If you ask this mixologist, that bird would be purple, and both sweet and tart. Try a Seductive Swan for an afternoon get-together or your holiday book club.

Eight Maids A Milking

Where there is milk, there’s cream. And nothing says holiday cheer like the creamy, dreamy flavor of a peppermint patty. Here’s how to make this favorite seasonal drink three different ways.

Nine Ladies Dancing

If you’re not exactly a twinkle-toed ballerina, consider substituting killer dance moves with this killer drink. The Nine Ladies Dancing Cocktail is aptly named and just as impressive as any chorus line.

Ten Lords A Leaping

On this side of the pond you’re not likely to run into too many lords, but I imagine if you saw ten of them leaping, you’d probably take notice.

Inspired by Lord Stanley of the famous Stanley Cup this holiday punch packs a…well, a punch! Plus it makes enough to serve the entire hockey team!

Eleven Pipers Piping

Piping…piping…piping hot! With the cold winter weather, libations served warm are a must. And Hot Buttered Rum is a long-standing favorite.

This recipe makes it super easy to have Hot Buttered Rum pretty much on demand. Click the link for the batter recipe, then prepare your rum to be buttered.

Twelve Drummers Drumming

Stop and think for a moment what twelve drummers drumming would sound like. This final drink will help you celebrate the season with the kind of bang those drummers would be proud of.

Got a favorite recipe? Enter your holiday drink recipe in the MilitaryShoppers recipe contest. One winner every month. Click here to enter your recipe today!

21 Delicious Recipes to Try This Thanksgiving

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Thanksgiving is quickly approaching. Are you prepared?

Soon friends and family will be gathered around your table ready to feast on delicious food, chat with loved ones and make holiday memories.

For those of us in the kitchen, Thanksgiving can be a time of stress. There are so many wonderful items that make up a Thanksgiving dinner. You simply have to choose which ones you want to make.

We gathered 21 of our favorite Thanksgiving recipes to help you make your holiday meal decisions this year.

Some of these great recipes come from readers and can be found on MilitaryShoppers.com. Did you know MilitaryShoppers has a monthly recipe contest? You can add your favorite recipes and be entered to win a $50 gift card.

21 Delicious Recipes to Try This Thanksgiving

Thanksgiving guests are usually divided between pumpkin and pecan pie. Which one is your favorite?

Our Favorite Thanksgiving Recipes From MilitaryShoppers

Appetizers

Start your Thanksgiving off right with some delicious appetizers. The holiday salsa will spice up your evening for sure. If you’re looking for a more traditional start though, go for the deviled eggs. I wouldn’t pass up a chance to try the mouth-watering stuffed mushrooms or slow cooker cranberry BBQ meatballs.

All 4 of these dishes are sure to please a hungry crowd while your Thanksgiving meal is being prepared.

Deviled Eggs

Mouth-Watering Stuffed Mushrooms

Slow Cooker Cranberry BBQ Meatballs

Holiday Salsa 

Main Dishes

The center of every Thanksgiving dinner is the turkey and for some, it is also a juicy ham. My family serves both, although we have a cold ham.

This recipe below for a juicy Thanksgiving turkey is a no fail way to get everyone at the table asking for more.

If your family also enjoys a ham, this old-fashioned holiday glazed ham is well worth a try. The sweetness of pineapple is offset by cloves to make a perfect pairing.

Juicy Thanksgiving Turkey

Old-Fashioned Holiday Glazed Ham

Related: How to Host a Friendsgiving

Side Dishes

There are some sides that you just can’t have a Thanksgiving meal without. For me, it’s the stuffing. A good moist stuffing really makes a difference. My in-laws however are all about a Thanksgiving dressing.

The cranberry, sausage and apple stuffing recipe below sounds wonderful. I will be trying it this year. Which recipes below would you like to try?

Cornbread

Sweet Potato Casserole

Creamy Crock Pot Mac n Cheese

Cranraisin Croissant Stuffing

Orange Cranberry Sauce

Related: More than Turkey Sandwiches: 5 Recipes for Thanksgiving Leftovers

Cranberry Wobble Gobble

Cranberry, Sausage and Apple Stuffing

Green Bean Casserole

Unbelievable Rolls

Simple is the Best Dressing

Desserts

No Thanksgiving meal is complete without a wonderful dessert. The table is usually divided between pumpkin and pecan pie. Which way do you lean? I’m a pumpkin pie person hands down. Our readers submitted some fantastic dessert recipes that you should try.

This year I am going to attempt the pumpkin roll recipe listed below.

Dee Dee Pecan Pie Recipe

Pecan Pie Cupcakes

Pumpkin Cheesecake Pie

Pumpkin Roll

Libby’s Famous Pumpkin Pie

Do you have a favorite Thanksgiving recipe? Enter it in MilitaryShoppers recipe contest and you may be this month’s winner. Click here for more details.

5 Recipes Where Beer Makes It Better

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Did you know that humans have been drinking beer for nearly 7,000 years? And that nearly every ancient culture in the world, from ancient Mesopotamia to the Incas had some kind of fermented grain concoction as part of their diet?

Is it any wonder then that modern day beer-aficionados have finally given this glorious brew a day to call its own?

The first Friday in August is International Beer Day. So take a moment to pop the top and savor a glass, can or bottle of your favorite brew.

Maybe a pilsner is your go-to.

Maybe a hefeweizen or a stout is more your style.

Better yet, with Oktoberfest, football season, and the holidays fast approaching, I challenge you to embrace all the flavors beer has to offer by not only drinking it, but cooking with it too.

Here are a few of MilitaryShopper’s favorite beer-licious recipes and some tips for finding just the right brew to go with whatever happens to land on your plate.

Do you cook with beer? Here are our 5 favorite recipes that use beer.

Do you have a favorite recipe that uses beer as an ingredient?

5 Recipes Where Beer Makes It Better

OKTOBERFEST INSPIRED GRILLED BRATWURST

If there was ever 2 things that absolutely belong together it’s sausage and beer.  This recipe takes bratwurst to the next level. I can practically smell the sauerkraut and thyme from here.

Pairings: Just like the recipe, bratwurst, grilled pork, grilled chicken, seafood, and spicy foods pair well with a good lager. Just make sure you’ve chilled it perfectly. According to the experts over at Epicurious, for the best flavor, it should be served between 40°F and 50°F.

EASY BEER BREAD

Easy and bread don’t usually belong in the same sentence, but this recipe has just 3 simple ingredients. Is there anything better than the smell of freshly baked bread? Scratch that. Freshly baked BEER bread? I think not.

Pairings: Let it never be said that beer isn’t sophisticated enough for a cocktail party. Wine tends to be the go-to accompaniment to those fancy cheese trays, but it’s not your only option. Try a pale ale with sharp cheddar or a fruit beer with soft cheeses like mascarpone.

Need more ideas for great beer and cheese pairings? The folks over at BeerAdvocate have everything you need.

BELGIAN BEEF ROAST

The crockpot might be the working man’s (and woman’s) best friend. Let’s see, there’s beef, onions, garlic, butter, and yes….BEER! And did I mention, it practically makes its own gravy right there in the pot? Follow this easy recipe and your mouth will start watering the minute you walk in the door.

Pairings: Though the recipe isn’t specific, hearty roasted meats like a beef demand a full-bodied brew. Try a porter or a stout in the recipe, and then pour some in your glass to go with it.

Wondering what goes best with sushi or chicken wings? Check out this great article over on Men’s Fitness.

AMERICAN BEER BATTER FRIED VEGETABLES

Cooking with beer isn’t just reserved for meat-eaters. If you prefer a lighter fare, or just like a little veggie with your meat, try this smorgasbord of beer battered veggies. Even the kids will love these!

Pairings: For strong, earthy vegetables like mushrooms and potatoes, try an earthy brew with lots of good hoppy flavor. For sweeter root vegetables, try a caramel porter.

Craving onion rings? Nothing goes better with them than a spicy aioli and a nice, cold pale ale.  Get even more great vegetable and beer pairings from Food and Wine (who knew they knew beer too?)

 CHOCOLATE GUINNESS CHEESECAKE

Who said you can’t have beer for dessert? Ready to absolutely knock the socks off your dinner guests? This recipe takes a little bit of work, but the payoff is so worth it. Chocolate and beer? Yes, you really can have it all.

Pairings: Picking the right brew to have in or with your dessert can be a bit tricky. Strong flavors like dark chocolate pair well with stronger flavored beers. Sweeter dessert can make your favorite brew taste more bitter than usual, so try something fruit-based or look for beers that tout fruity undertones.  Get more dessert and beer pairing from Serious Eats.

Do you have a favorite recipe that uses beer as an ingredient? Share it with MilitaryShoppers for a chance to win a $50 commissary shopping spree.

 

10 Recipes to Savor the Flavor of Seafood

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Ahhh, summer! The sun is warm, the water is cool, and seafood is in season.

10 Recipes to Savor the Flavor of Seafood

Do you have a favorite seafood recipe?

Growing up in a New England fishing town, summer meant freshly dug clams in chowders or steamed, lobsters from the family down the street, and so much fish on the grill. The tastes of all different seafood screams “summer” to me!

With amazing reader-submitted recipes, you and your family can also experience the joy of a tasty seafood feast! Let us know which recipes are your favorites or submit your own recipe for a chance to win a $50 commissary gift card.

10 Recipes to Savor the Flavor of Seafood

1. Thai Shrimp Kabobs with Spicy Ginger Sauce

Let’s get things heated up right away, with these spicy grilled shrimp. Featuring fresh grated ginger and hot ginger sauce, these kabobs are sure to please the heat-seekers in your house. They also make an easy grilled appetizer for parties or barbecues. To help everyone enjoy the dish, you could also opt to omit the spicy ginger from the marinade and serve the hotter sauce recipe as a dip on the side.

2. Lobster Bisque

This creamy soup is packed full of lobster and is a great comfort food for cooler summer evenings or rainy days. When I make lobster bisque, I like to serve it with DIY croutons made from day-old sourdough bread and a BLT. Or just gobble up a huge bowl alone before anyone else arrives on scene!

3. Ceviche

The tangy bite of citrus combines with imitation crab and shrimp for a delicious seafood medley. For a deeper crab taste, use freshly cooked or canned crab meat instead of the imitation crab. For serving, pair with tortilla chips and salsa or add a big scoop to your favorite salad greens.

4. Caribbean Grilled Tuna

Add a little tropical flavor to your menu with Jamaican jerk spices and lime juice! This recipe is super easy to prep, with just a dash of the spice blend and squirt of lime juice, but packs incredible flavor. Serve with red beans and rice and grilled pineapple slices.

5. Louisiana Crawfish Etouffee

Etouffee is a fabulous one-pot meal that you can tweak to suit your family’s tastes. Crawfish might be easier to find on the Gulf Coast, but you can certainly sub in other seafood local to your area. Add shrimp, lobster, crab or even chicken to this meal for slightly different flavors.

6. Seafood Enchiladas

Chicken enchiladas are so winter! Mix it up by trying this crab and shrimp variety. Add seasoned rice, beans or slices of your favorite fresh local veggies to complete the meal.

7. Tom Yam

We head back to Thailand for this flavorful seafood soup. It is creamy, citrusy and absolutely delicious. This soup is also great for people on a dairy-free diet who still crave the creaminess of chowder. Tom Yam uses coconut milk instead of cream!

8. Crab Cakes

This is a Maryland specialty enjoyed around the country! Featuring fresh or canned crab and very little else, the flavors of the seafood really shine through. Enjoy your cakes on a salad, alone or as part of a complete meal. I like to pair my crab cakes with fresh broccoli, corn on the cob and coleslaw.

9. Ginger Glazed Mahi Mahi

The sweet honey and the savory ginger combine with the mahi mahi perfectly. This baked fish recipe would also be great on the grill. Serve with a side salad, fresh steamed or grilled veggies and roasted potatoes for a delicious dinner.

10. Clam Bake

For a complete, one-pot seafood feast, try a clam bake or boil. Loaded with clams, mussels and shrimp, this is a great way to feed all of the seafood lovers in your life. For a clam boil, simply add halved onions, breakfast sausage, hot dogs and corn on the cob.

Do you have a favorite seafood recipe? Enter it at Military Shoppers today for a chance to win a $50 commissary shopping spree.

Military Shoppers Recipe Contest in August

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And the August Military Shoppers Recipe Contest Winner Is…

ice cream with slices of banana in ceramic bowl

Healthy Banana “Ice Cream”

Keri Kendall

Rhine Ordnance Barracks/Ramstein

Keri is the lucky recipient of a $50 Commissary Gift Card for her recipe for Healthy Banana “Ice Cream”

Ingredients:

3 Bananas (Frozen)

Water or Milk or Milk Substitute (as needed)

Optional Add-Ins:

Peanut Butter

Fresh Fruit

Vanilla Extract

  1. Peel and freeze bananas ahead of time
  2. Slice bananas into ¼” pieces
  3. Blend with food processor or blender
  4. Add water/milk/milk substitute for desired consistency (1/4 c. at a time)
  5. Add in your favorite treat, peanut butter, fresh fruit or vanilla extract and stir
  6. Serve in a bowl and enjoy as a cool, healthy and delicious treat

Don’t forget to enter the Military Shoppers recipe contest for your chance to win a $50 Commissary Gift Card!

 

Making Jam Is a Simple Way to Preserve Summer’s Flavors

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Making Your Own Jam, Jelly & Relish

August is rich with fresh fruits perfect for turning into delicious jams and jellies. Homemade jam by Whitney via Flickr

August is here and that means it’s officially jam, jelly and relish-making season.

Are you Suzy Homemaker who whips up a great jam each year or will this be the year you make your first batch?

Either way, MilitaryShoppers has everything you need to know about making your own jam, jelly and relish.

First of all, what’s in season? Make sure you know which fruits and vegetables are in season before you start looking at recipes and head to the commissary.

August is rich with fresh fruits perfect for turning into delicious jams and jellies.

Blackberries, blueberries, apples, peaches, pears, plums, raspberries and strawberries are all ripe and ready for you. While apple season is just kicking off, blueberries are on their way out. If you plan on canning blueberries, this might be your last chance this year.

The two most popular fruits, strawberries and raspberries, will be around until November so there is plenty of time left for them. Blackberries will be in season through October, but the big juicy ones that grow in the south are already gone. Don’t worry; you can still find great ones from Oregon (the leading blackberry producer in America).

Making Your Own Jam, Jelly & Relish

Instead of picking the berries yourself, you can pick up a pint at your military commissary. Photo by Jared Smith via Flickr

My parents own Blackberry Hill Alpacas farm in Alabama and while it is an alpaca farm, there are numerous wild blackberry bushes growing (hence the name). My mom dons jeans, long sleeves, gloves and lots of sunscreen to venture into those prickly bushes each June to collect blackberries for her jam.

I recommend skipping the torment of sweating in the heat, being bitten by who knows what, poked with thorns and sunburned and just go to the commissary and buy a few pints to make your jam.

Everyone has their own story to tell about their jam, which makes it that much more special. Whether it’s how you handpicked the berries, the mischief the kids got into while you were mashing them or the mess you made while doing it, there’s always a story behind the jam. That’s probably one of the reasons why it has become so popular to make your own these days.

You can venture out with your own recipes, try one passed down from grandma or go with a new one from your fellow MilitaryShoppers readers.

Making Your Own Jam, Jelly & Relish

Do you like to make your own jam, jelly or relish?

Interested in freezing jam? Brandi Thomas submitted her recipe for freezer jam. Strawberry jam is by far the most popular; there’s nothing quite like the aroma of strawberries in the kitchen. Try this strawberry jam recipe for something new.

Making Your Own Jam, Jelly & Relish

My challenge to you is to submit your canning creation’s recipe to MilitaryShoppers recipe contest.

Looking for something to do with the jam you make, besides spreading it on toast? Put a smile on your family’s face with a jam cake topped with brown sugar icing. They will thank you for making such a treat. All jams and jellies aren’t sweet though. Nicole Cloutier has a great recipe for raspberry jalapeno jelly that will get you going in the morning.

This season isn’t entirely about the fruit though. Once you’ve made jam or jelly, try relish. Did you plant a vegetable garden this year? If you’re tired of making salads, use your abundance of cucumbers for relish. Patti Osteen has a recipe that uses 24 cucumbers. That will take care of most of your harvest or at least a good bit. If you want to get a head start on holiday planning, test out some fall recipes now. Spicy cranberry relish is a great starter.

Wondering how these readers got their recipes on MilitaryShoppers? Did you know you can submit your own recipe? You can post them and one winner is chosen each month to receive a $50 commissary shopping spree. How sweet is that? My challenge to you is not only to make your own jam, jelly or relish this year, but to post your creation to the site and share with others tips for making it.

If you’re looking for visual help and step-by-step instructions on how to make jam, Allrecipes has a great tutorial.

Are you a DIY guru? Share your favorite canning recipes with MilitaryShoppers. Don’t forget, there’s one winner every month.

4 Cool Desserts Your Family Will Melt Over

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Summer is here and if it hasn’t started getting hot where you are, it will soon. When I think of the summer heat I think of a lot of water play and frozen treats. Anything cool that will help keep the summer fun going.

Cool Desserts Your Family Will Melt Over

What could be better than a homemade popsicle?

There are a lot of different types of treats you and your family can make and enjoy.

You can create something just for a day at home or bring a dessert to a barbecue or pool party. We, at MilitaryShoppers, have a database of recipes submitted by you, our readers.

Here are 4 cool desserts your family will melt over.

Fast and Easy Juicy Popsicles

What could be better than a homemade popsicle? The easiest way to do this is to take an empty ice cube tray, pour in your favorite juice, add the popsicle sticks and freeze. You could have even more fun with it, add fruits or even candies depending on how healthy you wanted to make your popsicles.

Frozen Fantastic Banana Bites

  • 4 bananas
  • 10 ounces baking chocolate
  • 1/4 cup peanut butter

This recipe is like making your own ice cream without all the calories. Start by slicing bananas into 1/2-inch rounds. Place in a single layer on a parchment lined baking sheet. Next, apply about a 1/2 teaspoon of peanut butter on each banana slice. Top one with another banana slice, making a small banana-peanut butter sandwich. Place in the freezer for about 1 hour. This firms up the bananas and allows for easy dipping.

Right before you remove the bananas from the freezer, melt your baking chocolate in the microwave. Microwave for 45 seconds on medium power and stir. Repeat this until your chocolate is fully melted and smooth in texture.

Remove bananas from the freezer and quickly dip each one in the melted chocolate. You need to move fast before the bananas start to defrost and become mushy. I used 2 forks to help dip the bananas. Place dipped bananas back onto the baking sheet lined with parchment paper.

Return to the freezer and chill for another 2 hours or until chocolate is firm.

Cool Desserts Your Family Will Melt Over

What cool dessert does your family devour on hot days?

No Bake Cookies

  • 2 1/2 cups sugar
  • 1/2 cup evaporated milk
  • 5 tablespoons cocoa
  • 1 1/2 sticks margarine
  • 1 teaspoon vanilla
  • 1/4 teaspoon salt
  • 3 cups oatmeal & 1/2 cup peanut butter; set aside in a separate bowl

This one would be great to bring to a picnic or neighborhood barbecue. A yummy dessert without having to bake anything.

Bring to boil the first 6 ingredients on high, stirring constantly. Boil for 1 minute from center. Add oatmeal and peanut butter, mix well. Spoon out on wax paper, let cool and harden.

Super Cool Summer Slushie

  • 1 cup cold water
  • 1/3 cup Kool-Aid Island Twists Ice Blue Raspberry Lemonade Flavor Sugar-Sweetened Soft Drink Mix
  • 1 tray prepared Kool-Aid Soft Drink Cool Cubes

This would be a great treat to make during a day at home. The kids will love it. Pour water into blender container. Add drink mix and Kool-Aid Soft Drink Cool Cubes; cover. Blend until smooth. Serve immediately.

What cool dessert does your family devour on hot days? Share the recipe with MilitaryShoppers and you could win a $50 commissary shopping spree. One winner every month.

5 Simple Recipes for Your Summer Camping Trip

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My husband and I love to camp. The smell of wood burning, sound of birds chirping and the most exciting part, the taste of campfire food!

5 Simple Recipes for Your Summer Camping Trip

What do you like to cook when camping?

As soon as the weather warms up, we plan at least one trip out to the woods a year. It’s also a great way to explore the area around your duty station!

ReserveAmerica is a great site to find the local campsites in your area. Most (all of the campsites I’ve visited), use that website to place reservations of the actual campsites too (I’ve camped in New York, Texas and Virginia).

I grew up a city gal and the closest thing to camping I’ve ever experienced was a tent in my backyard. We even brought out an extension cord to watch TV, which is completely cheating!

Now, I’ve found that the great outdoors is a great way for my husband and I to disconnect and enjoy each other’s company, uninterrupted by technology. For the duration of our time in the woods, we cook and prepare meals on the open fire. We wrangle together our mess kit, which includes a couple of travel pots, pans, dinnerware and utensils–as well as our camping gear for a fun and delicious camping adventure.

At first, cooking real food might be a little intimidating. But, with the right preparation beforehand, it can be easy to throw together hot and tasty meals for your family. For example, combine all dry ingredients and spices per recipe in a Ziploc bag. Also, chop and mince all appropriate veggies (like onions) and place them in Ziploc bags as well.

5 Simple Recipes for Your Summer Camping Trip

Cooking food when camping might be a little intimidating. But, with the right preparation beforehand, it can be easy to throw together hot and tasty meals for your family.

Here are my 5 absolute favorite and simple campfire recipes.

You can’t go wrong with chili! It’s great by itself or you can pour it on top of a hot dog that’s heated by the fire.

Black Bean Chili

  • 1 tablespoon vegetable oil
  • 1 onion, diced
  • 2 garlic cloves, minced
  • 1 lb ground turkey (I use beef)
  • 3 (15-ounce) cans black beans, undrained
  • 1 (14 1/2-ounce) can crushed tomatoes
  • 1 1/2 tablespoons chili powder
  • 1 tablespoon dried oregano
  • 1 tablespoon dried basil leaves
  • 1 tablespoon red wine vinegar

Heat the oil in a large heavy pot over medium heat; cook onion and garlic until onions are translucent. Add turkey and cook, stirring, until meat is brown. Stir in beans, tomatoes, chili powder, oregano, basil and vinegar. Reduce heat to low, cover and simmer 60 minutes or more, until flavors are well blended.

To adjust the heat, I use oven mitts to move the grill gate close to or away from the fire. That’s the easiest way for me to manipulate the temperature.  Or, you can scooch the pot away from the direct flame. It really depends on the type of grill your campsite provides. We typically bring another grill plate with handles, so it’s easy to lift the cooked food off the camp grill.

Grilling Potato Wedges

  • 3 large russet potatoes, scrubbed and cut into 1-inch thick wedges
  • 1/3 cup olive oil
  • 1 teaspoon cumin
  • 1 teaspoon of ancho or regular chili powder
  • 1 teaspoon kosher salt
  • 1 teaspoon freshly ground black pepper

Mix together the dry ingredients. Then, brush the potatoes all over with olive oil and place over the hot side of the grill and cook until browned and crisp on both sides. Move the potatoes to the cooler side of the grill, cover and continue to grill until cooked through, about 5 to 10 minutes longer (test with a fork). Remove the potatoes from the grill to a large bowl and sprinkle with the spice mixture to taste and toss to coat.

BBQ Chicken Kabobs

  • 1 lb. boneless skinless chicken breasts, cut into 1 1/2-inch pieces
  • 6 cups assorted cut-up vegetables (bell peppers, mushrooms, onions and zucchini)
  • 1 cup barbecue sauce

To prep at home, arrange chicken and vegetables alternately on 8 skewers. On the hot grill, place the kabobs to cook 10 to 15 minutes or until chicken is cooked through (170°F), turning after 8 minutes and brushing frequently with the 1/2 cup of the barbecue sauce. Use the leftover barbecue sauce to serve.

Juicy Ranch Burgers

All you need is about a pound of ground beef and 1 or 2 packets of ranch seasoning mix (depending on your taste) to make this recipe. Before you leave, mix together the ranch seasoning and beef. Then, separate the beef into 4 patties and now it’s ready for the fire.

I also use onion soup mix as another flavor variety.

My favorite campfire recipe is PIZZA!

Yes, it’s pretty simple to make on the open fire. I grab a roll of refrigerated pizza dough (or you can make your own) and roll it out onto a cast iron grill or our removable camping grill (so it’s easy to take off the fire), but you put it directly on the grill rack if the dough is thick enough. Make sure the grill is hot before putting the dough on it though.

Pour on about ¼ cup of tomato sauce, as much mozzarella cheese you think is necessary and then your favorite pizza toppings. Cook until dough is done and cheese is melted through.

Don’t forget to include snacks to munch on while hiking. Piece together the perfect trail mix recipe or try out my favorite granola bar recipe too!

What’s your favorite food to make when camping? Share the recipe with MilitaryShoppers and you could win. One winner every month.