Monday, June 11, 2012

Summer Entertaining with a Kraft Backyard Party {Prize Pack Review & Giveaway}

I blinked and it's summer.

Both of my kids are out of school, the weather has warmed up for good, and the sun doesn't go down until late enough that, without a watch, I can never judge the time.

Another benefit of summer and warm, light evenings? The inspiration to turn our deck into a party space for the perfect backyard celebration with Kraft Foods. With one phone call, email or text to friends, we can all gather for a relaxing, laughter-filled good time for adults as well as kids with many of Kraft's new and delicious foods.

Kraft backyard party

First up? Refreshing cold drinks, of course! When I first saw the Country Time Half & Half Lemonade Drink Mix, I was reminded of my waitress days in college when customers would ask for me to fill a glass halfway with lemonade and halfway with iced tea. Now fans can have this mix right at home – and it's a delicious combination!

For a drink that the whole family is sure to enjoy, we were stirred up Kool-Aid's New Unsweetened Strawberry Kiwi Drink Mix because it's a new favorite! This isn't the sugary sweet Kool-Aid of your youth (you can determine the sweetness simply by adding more or less sugar), this tastes like a strawberry lemonade that kids as well as adults will like. We have been big fans of how it is the perfect mix of subtle yet savory.

Kool-Aid strawberry lemonade

Even better was being able to use our Rubbermaid Carafe and know that it would provide a chic, beautiful and stylish look with a comfortable grip for easy pouring. It is leak-proof, has a dual pouring sprout, fits well in your hand, and is even dishwasher safe!

Of course it didn't hurt to serve the glasses on the Colorwheel Serving Tray, which added a festive, modern, stylish touch to the meal. I plan on using this bright, vivid, colorful tray outside as well as inside, as the convenience (I love handles!) and appearance adds a kick to the atmosphere no matter what.

serving drinks

For food, the Kraft Sizzling Salads Southwest Chicken Dinner Kit takes all of the work out of seasoning your next green or pasta salad, as you simply toss your chicken with the Zesty Fajita cooking sauce and pair it with the Barbecue Ranch dressing for your salad. The combination ends up sweet and spicy – with hardly any work!

Around here we are always sure to have some sort of salad at our gatherings and the Chill Salad Bowl with Salad Servers has proven to be just as convenient and durable as I thought it would be. The addition of the removable ice pack underneath the bowl ensures that your salad will always stay cold and having the salad servers right in the lid is perfect for at home or on-the-go!

chilled salad bowl

For the main dish, Kraft provided a recipe that would take a traditional burger and shake it up a bit that we definitely wanted to try:

Vel Slices Queso Blanco Burger

Prep Time: 30 min. | Makes: 4 servings.

Ingredients:

2 Tbsp. Kraft Sandwich Shop Chipotle Flavored Reduced Fat Mayonnaise
1 plum tomato, seeded, finely chopped
2 Tbsp. finely chopped red onions
1 Tbsp. chopped fresh cilantro
1 lb. lean ground beef
4 Velveeta Slices Queso Blanco
4 hamburger buns

Instructions:

Heat grill to medium heat.
Combine first 4 ingredients.
Shape meat into four ½"-thick patties. Grill 7 to 9 min on each side or until done (160 ºF).
Top with Velveeta; grill 1 min or until melted.
Fill buns with cheeseburgers and mayonnaise mixture.

Unfortunately, we have yet to find the Velveeta Slices Queso Blanco in a store near us, but we're still on the hunt for them! From what I have heard, they melt very well and really give a unique and tasty flavor to burgers as well as dips, sauces and more.

However, that didn't mean that our regular burgers still didn't turn out delicious!

fancy burger
Mental note: next time don't get buns so large that you can't even see the burger. It's in there!

Finally, what's a party without dessert? Honey Maid Lil' Squares Honey Grahams are a must-have snack because they can be enjoyed by all ages in just about any location. They have the same delicious flavor of classic Honey Maid Graham Crackers, but the smaller size makes them less messy and more fun!

In fact, just seeing graham crackers and knowing that we were going to be eating outside led to the immediate conclusion that there must be s'mores. Due to the size of the Lil' Squares, we went with miniature marshmallows and a chocolate bar chopped into little pieces...

mini s'mores

...and the results (around 15 seconds in the microwave) were just as delectable but without quite so much oozing and dripping and all-out mess that traditional s'mores entail. Bite-sized yum!

mini s'mores recipe

All in all, it was a great backyard party thanks to Kraft! We were thrilled to try out these new products from five our our favorite brands and the full party kit really had all of the summertime essentials that we could ask for when it comes to enjoying our time entertaining with family and friends.

Do you have your next outdoor celebration planned? Whether or not you do, one person will be sure to be in the mood to throw a shindig soon, because...

One lucky person will win a Kraft Backyard Party Prize Pack*!


*Prize Pack includes: Rubbermaid Carafe, Chill Salad Bowl with Salad Servers, Colorwheel Serving Tray, Kool-Aid New Unsweetened Peach Mango and Unsweetened Strawberry Kiwi Drink Mixes, Country Time Half & Half Lemonade Drink Mix, Velveeta Slices Queso Blanco, Kraft Sizzling Salads Southwest Chicken Dinner Kit, Honey Maid Lil’ Squares Honey Grahams

(Enter with the Rafflecopter form below. If you have any questions or problems entering, there is a video tutorial found here that can help.)

a Rafflecopter giveaway

Kraft Foods is providing the prizes for this program at no cost to me and has provided me with a gift of equal value for review. This program is not administered or sponsored by Kraft Foods or its affiliates, but solely by Thanks, Mail Carrier.

374 comments:

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Suburban prep said...

I usually bring Lemon Squares

Sippy Cup Mom said...

Chips and Dip!

wigget said...

fruit salad is always a hit

Nancy said...

I like to serve icy cold melon slices!

Nancy
allibrary (at) aol (dot) com

LissaDora said...

Hummus with vegetables!

Jaime Nicole said...

I love to serve hamburgers and hot dogs!

akronugurl said...

i love fruit salad

freebiel0ve@yahoo.com

Wild N Mild $$$ said...

Potato salad
Jennifer Rote
wildnmild4u at yahoo dot com

Fari said...

I love making Chicken Salad Tostadas

Patricia said...

I take Hawaiian pulled pork in my cockpit to summer potlucks. Easy to make and transport

Jackie said...

I like to bring deviled eggs.
Thanks!

Brandi Elam said...

Chips & Dip or Veggies & Dip.

Kathy Murphy said...

I am in charge of bring Ugly Salad - also known as Chinese Coleslaw. Everyone asks for it!

JC said...

We like fruit salad.

Daisy said...

love fruit salad

jayedee said...

love to bring deviled eggs, fresh fruit salad and corn on the cob...wrapped and ready for the grill!

JC said...

I love to bring my homemade potato salad.
Chavonne H.
chavonne.harvey@yahoo.com

jbmthill said...

7-up mixed with mango/strawberry juice! The kids love it.

like2sweep@gmail.com
jbmthill

KayeDean said...

I usually bring fruit salad and a dessert.

KayeDean said...

I usually bring fruit salad and a dessert.

lorialcorn2006 said...

I usually brink a side dish like pork and beans or a salad

Ashley said...

My favorite item to serve is grilled corn on the cob.

Ashley said...

GFC follower canastaxyz

Elaine said...

Fvaorite food to serve would be grilled sausages w/ onions and peppers

Jessica Allen said...

I usually make Fruit Pizza! :)

apple blossom said...

water melon and strawberries.

apple blossom said...
This comment has been removed by the author.
Unknown said...

My favorite outdoor food is corn on the cob with plenty of butter, yum!

jessicabanks1721@yahoo.com

chadro said...

Grilled beef kabobs!
retirenavalflyer(at)gmail.com

shaunie said...

bean dip

Stephanie - Couponing Momma said...

I usually make a homemade mac n cheese.

April Yedinak said...

Fav picnic food- cold fried chicken
fav drink- strawberry punch

Sarah said...

When I do drinks, I brind the ades..lemonade, limeade,orangeade.

s said...

Potato Salad.

Elizabeth G said...

Strawberry Fluff!

Lori Thomas said...

taco dip, potato salad

ctymice at gmail dot com

Jennifer Irving said...

I love cheeseburgers, but hubby loves brats!

Valerie Taylor Mabrey said...

Love lemonade and burgers on the grill
vmkids3 at msm dot com

Linda W. said...

I usually bring a pasta salad or a cold dessert.

B. Wilson @ Windy {City} Wilsons said...

Anything lemon! I love lemon sorbet, lemonade, strawberry lemonade... you name it!

bayctygrl said...

I love sharing taco salad!

hippopurplemonkey at yahoo dot com
Jennifer B

Anonymous said...

I really like to make my famous chicken pasta salad.

scottysgirl4life@gmail.com

mar said...

my favorite food to bring to a summer outing is my watermelon that is cut out and filled with fresh fruit!

Anonymous said...

There's nothing like smokes for any kind of get together. dollmf@arvig.net

Kelly R. said...

Deviled Eggs!!
k.g.rogers72 at gmail dot com

amy beth marantino said...

fresh corn on the cob

Amy V said...

i love making our family's potato salad recipe and serving crystal light lemonade!

rene said...

sweet tea

renelmiller803@yahoo.com

Kelly N. said...

Leave a comment on this post telling me your favorite food or drink to serve (or bring to share) for outdoor entertaining during the summer.

hamvurger hot dod,chips and coca cola

Danielle Davis/Grady said...

Macaroni salad :)
Thank you!
Suchaproudmama @ yahoo.com

Timshaun said...

We love sweet tea!!!
Shaunda.Eppes at gmail dot com

blue65829 said...

my favorite thing to serve is grilled artichokes!

Anonymous said...

Veggies and Dip, Sweet Tea
repose4jr at gmail dot com

Jennifer Van Dahm said...

I like bringing my warm Buffalo Chicken Dip to snack on at get-togethers!
jennifer (at) jennifervandahm.com

jessica said...

corn on the cob

jek9880 at gmail dot com

debbie said...

I make a pizza pasta salad that everyone likes.

peg42 said...

I love making cole slaw. My recipe is always a hit.
Thanks so much.
rickpeggysmith(at)aol(dot)com

Sylvia said...

I love to bring Macaroni salad
sylviawhit@gmail.com

d schmidt said...

I love serving strawberry trifle

mummytotwoboys@yahoo.com

andra said...

cucumber salad or pink salad

amp said...

I usually bring cucumber dill salad and potato salad to summer parties


apoalillo {AT} hotmail dot com

Alyce Poalillo

carol lewis said...

I bring a raw salad of broccoli, red onions, black olives, mushrooms, and cherry tomatoes and then you pour over a bottle of Wishbone Dressing. Very tasty!
spcale at yahoo dot com

debijackson said...

chips and salsa

Mariee said...

I always bring my cardamom crumb cake.

Tabathia B said...

brownies
tbarrettno1 at gmail dot com

Karla said...

Pizza and beer.

Bethany C. said...

I like to make pasta salad.

Peggy Rydzewski said...

Taco salad is always a winner

Debi H. said...

I always bring chocolate chip cookies.
pizzanumber2 at yahoo dot com

Madelyn Sue said...

I like to make guacomole for outdoor parties.

Tanya M said...

Greek salad and Spinach dip. :)

Anonymous said...

I bring tons of water, some veggies and dip and some brownies.


Love3570@aol.com

Denise said...

I like to make Trifle with Strawberries and Blueberries, Vanilla Pudding, Cake Cubes, and Cool Whip.

Denise
stonemedic76@hotmail.com

ann said...

Lemonade and deviled eggs

♡♥♬ Carolsue ♡♥♬ said...

Potato Salad and Lemonade
Digicats {at} Sbcglobal {dot} Net

sottovoce said...

I like to bring spicy mac salad...my own creation. :-) Thank you.
jaquerichards at yahoo dot com

Anonymous said...

Baked Beans
alicia75136@yahoo.com

April said...

We like to bring pasta salad.

teenytig@sbcglobal.net

clynsg said...

I have a rice/sausage/hamburger casserole which people seem to love that I take quite often.

cgclynsg0 @ gmail dot com

Anonymous said...

Fruit salad!

leetaylor644 (at) hotmail (dot) com

randi oaklief said...

chips & salsa.

kellyr78 said...

I like to bring nachos & guacamole
KellywcuATyahooDOTcom

sue14625 said...

i like to bring fresh veggies and dip and my deviled eggs always a hit
sue14625@gmail.com

Christa said...

pasta salad!

Ann Fantom said...

I like to serve fruit salad in a watermelon

abfantom at yahoo dot com

Cody said...

I like to bring squeeky fresh cheesecurds! (not the fried ones)
cody_endres(at)hotmail(dot)com

danw78704 said...

twitted this, 12/6

ColleenMarie82 said...

watermelon

Unknown said...

Lemonade and watermelon
schueler.jessica@yahoo.com

DeeAnn S said...

I like to serve sun tea at picnics and family gatherings. Thanks.
sweepster49 at comcast dot net

Diana Lane Utley said...

I usually bring pasta salad or watermelon.

Allyson Bossie said...

I love hamburgers, yummo
masugr at yahoo dot com

Anonymous said...

a salad of tuna, olives, and shell macaroni.

crystletellerday said...

soda crystletellerday@yahoo.com

Jessica Rose said...

Always love to bring chocolate chip cookies! Can't go wrong with cookies :D

Christina said...

I always love bringing my Tortellini pasta salad. Yum!

latanya t said...

I like bringing fresh made lemonade

KAR said...

Squash casserole

EMMAHORTON said...

HORTON111@AOL.COM

NEW YORK CHEESECAKE

S Carter said...

I love serving fresh fruit salad

scarter305 at aol dot com

Anonymous said...

chips and seven layer salad dip
tcogbill at live dot com

Kelly Skibbe said...

Beer!!!!

skibmama23@gmail.com

Anonymous said...

sweet & sour kielbesa or pasta salad!

Holly Miller
Airfrcgrl87@aol.com

emeraldmaz said...

I like to serve iced tea

Anonymous said...

macaroni salad

susan1215 said...

fruit salad and lemonade

s2s2 at comcast dot net

slehan said...

lemonade with fresh mint from my garden.
Thanks for the contest.

lokigsd said...

Depends on what everyone else is bringing - usually Homemade salsa, Homemade Potato Salad, or some sort of other salad.

Unknown said...

Yummy chef salad :)

Dee said...

Love Smores

rparis said...

my favorite is ribs

LORI WOLFE said...

Always bring my Grandma's potatoe salad. I am the only one who is even close to hers.
rwolfe1071@aol.com

Maija M said...

I like cucumber salad! Maija pinkmaija at yahoo dot com

mogrill said...

Tortellini Salad!

Thanks for the chance.
mogrill12@gmail.com

Liz said...

All Beef Hot Dogs!

melsywsou said...

Iced tea

Diane said...

Lemonade with UV Blue Raspberry Vodka - obviously adults only!

llinda29 said...

We like ribs

Meaghan F. said...

Definitely potato salad.

Anonymous said...

My husband and I love strawberry daiquiris for the summer, but when we are going to a party, we sometimes make vegetarian spring rolls.

Julie B. icedmorrison@aol.com

lana said...

I like hot dogs, hamburger & coke

Whitney said...

Sangria is my specialty!

Mps5732 said...

Sweet Tea, Lemonade or mint julips

julis55 said...

cold fried chicken

Kimberly M. said...

I love to serve fresh fruit and homemade fruit dip.

Crystal said...

I'm all about frozen drinks in the summer!
CrystalW07 at aol.com

freddie said...

I usually bring a 7 layer dip. dwelchert@yahoo.com

Tracey said...

I bring 7 layer salad.
traymona[at]aol.com

Selinda said...

Anything that can be put on the grill!

thanks,

selinda_mccumbers at yahoo.com

polly said...

i have a wonderul oriental salad recipie that i bring! delicious
pkeintz@gmail.com

Miss Sarah said...

A veggie tray and some kind of a dessert. :)

Thanks for the giveaway!

ohstac said...

I like fresh strawberries with cream cheese dip.

Kristy said...

I like to serve Lemonade and Iced Tea, and bring out flavors for the guests to use, like Lemon or Strawberry!

Anonymous said...

We enjoy watermellon at our back yard picnics.

astormer at comcast dot net

Ann Hoag said...

Everyone wants me to make potato salad for our backyard barbecues.

Growl Tiger said...

I love to serve sweet tea with my hubby's famous grilled burgers

Laurel said...

Hawaiian Pudding!
alwaysneedhim4evr@yahoo.com

Colleen said...

watermelon

Maryea said...

fruit like strawberries, blueberries, watermelon etc.
magloro@gmail.com

Anonymous said...

fruit salad

sweetmelbelle31 said...

cut seedless watermelon and potato salad.

Jean said...

potato salad

wildcat32 said...

I love to serve brownie trifle.

diesel51 said...

fruit on a kabob

skbaron said...

I love to bring jello cake!

Melissa said...

Pasta salad is always a hit.

Anonymous said...

Pasta salad, natbelinsky@verizon.net

The Studio said...

strawberry margarita pie with pretzel crust.
rendancechick at yahoo dot com

Brittani said...

Sweet tea!

Rebecca Orr said...

Watergate Salad and Key Lime Bars!! bekki1820cb at gmail dot com

Unknown said...

fruit salad
Thanks a ton! Janna Johnson jannajanna@hotmail.com GFC: janna@feedyourpig

Lane Nichols said...

I bring the noize...and chocolate chip cookies.

Terra Heck said...

We like to bring Snicker Salad or Pineapple Fluff when we go to a party. Thanks.
partymix25(at)hotmail(dot)com

Unknown said...

Ice cold watermelon. :)
Sherry Conrad
discriminating_diva at yahoo dot com

Flowerg said...

Potato salad is my favorite to bring for a outdoor party. Thanks!

romapup at gmail dot com

Unknown said...

watermelon

kport207 at gmail dot com

mverno said...

i live to barbarque chicken
mverno@roadrunner.com

Kelly g said...

hot dogs, chips, soda

puye said...

I like to serve icy cold melon slices
agnesye@hotmail.com

Kayla said...

Lemonade for sure!

Ellie Wright said...

Grilled chicken wings.

toughturtles said...

sausage /beer

LaurKnotter said...

Smores!

Retta69 said...

kool-aid

carlaboo11 said...

lemonade :)

Unknown said...

Pasta Salad

adamsfam2004@gmail.com

Anonymous said...

Pasta Salad with Fresh veggies
marypopmom@yahoo.com

Laura said...

Bush's beans

Stephanie said...

I like to bring fresh fruit. It feels like there are so many other unhealthy things, that at least I can provide a little in that area.

Sunnymay said...

I like to bring deviled eggs to picnics along with tabouli.

Deb K said...

I bring potato salad

crankyyanky1 said...

I make chicken burgers and I love smores

Think about it said...

i always make/bring macaroni salad.

Sherry said...

Hamburgers and chips

Allison Downes said...

Potato Salad!

lola_violets_2010[at]yahoo[dot]com

Unknown said...

Roasted Corn

Leslie Galloway (LesGalloway //at// hotmail //dot// com) www.facebook.com/GallowayLeslie

Pricousins said...

I love to serve lemonade

pricousins at aol dot com

Julie said...

Everyone always asked for my baked beans - I use yellow mustard, spicy bbq sauce, green peppers, onions, and butter and brown sugar in a crockpot (with Bush's baked beans) - lots of raves and it's always all gone!

Thanks for the chance to win!

knittingandsundries(at)gmail(dot)com

Unknown said...

I love making strawberry lemonade for a picnic!

Caroline B said...

Melon!!!!

gatsby1981 at gmail dot com

Kimberly said...

Baked Beans
Kims2312@verizon.net

Wendy ArtsyChaos said...

Everyone always wants me to bring my potato salad. :)
hiwendyhi at yahoo dot com

GpTpRiNcEsS said...

potato salad is always a hit

Julie G. said...

Everyone loves my taco dip :)

Anonymous said...

I guess the easy answer would be beer, but my wife also makes a wonderful homemade lemonade so we usually bring that too.
-Mike S.

Savor The Days said...

I always have lemonade and iced tea for drinks. Food could be chips and dip, fruit tray, or swedish meatballs!
kim(at)kimberlychance(dot)com

Kristy Thiel said...

definitely baked beans. Thanks for hosting!

Yona Williams said...

I love lemonade and Cheese Doodles. Email: yona(at)pricelesswriters.com

Michelle said...

I usually bring some kind of dessert. Thanks for the chance to win!
mrsmchappell at gmail dot com

Anonymous said...

7 layer dip!

Kelley F said...

I always bring the dessert and the sweet tea!!!

Francofamily4@aol.com

Kelly C said...

Taco dip, or watermelon

Jay said...

I like to serve fruit salad or yummy dessert

LesleyfromWI said...

Fresh lemonade

Sherry Compton said...

Hamburgers and chips

k. said...

I like to make limeade.

Jennifer T. said...

I like to bring deviled eggs.
jtmagmom73(at)gmail(dot)com

KirbeeLee said...

It's always a toss-up between my favorite potato salad variations - one with a simple cider vinegar and olive oil with fresh parsley dressing, or the classic gotta-love-it mayo dressing with lots of eggs :) Either has to be icy cold to be its tastiest though.

Time To Save Change said...

Fresh veggies and dip

lyndsey said...

i do pasta salad!

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