Fall is one of my favorite seasons – it is one of the most gorgeous with leaves changing into brilliant colors all around us. It is perfect weather to get outdoors and have fun as a family too. Our beloved CVNP is closed but we are blessed to have the Metro Parks and so many city parks to enjoy during Fall. Today, we took advantage of the beautiful weather to enjoy a fall picnic, in our backyard.
We received a beautiful Spread a Little Sunshine Tasting Kit to aid us in our beautiful picnic and to facilitate this post – we are also giving one away below!
I have always enjoyed adding Smucker’s jelly, jams, and spreads to recipes. Last week, I had the privileged of visiting the Smucker’s headquarters in Orrville, Ohio for their #HolidayTips blogger event. I learned a ton about food trends, how to add the wow factor to meals, and even how Smucker’s creates about 5,000 new recipes a year in the test kitchens in Orrville. If you haven’t checked out the Smucker’s Recipe page, you should. They have many fresh recipes from appetizers to desserts with new ones added for every season.
The tasting kit came with one of my favorite line of product from Smucker’s, the Natural Fruit Spreads. The natural fruit spreads are made of ingredients from natural sources, and contain no preservatives or high fructose corn syrup. I reviewed the natural line this Summer with a couple dessert recipes. In the tasting kit, there are Strawberry, Red Raspberry, Orange Marmalade, and Concord Grape fruit spreads. It also came with a few recipe cards. I couldn’t wait to try the Fruit Salsa with Cinnamon Pita Chips recipe. It is a little different from the fruit salsa recipe I typically make, so I was eager to try.
Fruit Salsa with Cinnamon Pita Chips Recipe
I promise that if you take this recipe to any gathering, it will be devoured. People love fruit salsa and it couldn’t be easier to make!
Fruit Salsa with Cinnamon Pita Chips Recipe Ingredients
- 2 c chopped fresh strawberries – I used a 1 lb container
- 1 c fresh blueberries – I substituted 2 apples since blueberries are expensive right now
- 1 c chopped fresh pineapple – about 1/4 fresh pineapple
- 1/3 c Smucker’s® Natural Orange Marmalade Fruit Spread
- 1 TBSP Fresh mint, chopped
- Cinnamon sugar pita chips
Fruit Salsa with Cinnamon Pita Chips Recipe Directions
- Chop all fruit
- Combine fruit in a bowl and stir in fruit spread
- Chill
- Serve with cinnamon sugar pita chips or make your own cinnamon chips out of tortillas
Cheesy Chicken Sloppy Joe Sliders Recipe
While searching the Smucker’s recipes for our picnic, I came across the Cheesy Chicken Sloppy Joe Sliders recipe. It looked easy to make and perfect for a fall picnic. I cooked ground chicken (could use ground turkey or beef too) with bell peppers. Next, I added chili sauce and Smucker’s Natural Concord Grape Fruit Spread. I folded in cheddar cheese.
It was a delicious alternative to sloppy joes. It sort of reminded me of the meatball recipes that include grape jelly and chili sauce that is often found at parties.
After our picnic, we enjoyed playing a game of Bocce Ball. It was the first time my kids have ever played the game, they liked it. It was easy enough for a 6 and 8 year old to learn and play.
I must brag that I won the majority of the games! ha!
Being outside in nature and playing fun, some-what active games with your family is the best part of Fall. Year-round actually. Sometimes, we just need to carve out time from our busy schedules to enjoy the simple things in life like a hike in the park, backyard games, and picnics with great food. The forecast is calling for 70 degree days for the next 2 weeks – more or less. It is the perfect time to get outdoor and enjoy time with your family!
Win Spread A Little Sunshine Tasting Kit
You have the chance to win your own Spread A Little Sunshine Tasting Kit (ARV: $185).
This is an awesome prize. It includes everything you need to have a fantastic picnic with your family. It definitely adds a little sunshine to any picnic!
And I LOVE the picnic basket. It is high quality and gorgeous looking with an interior that is insulted and a space for dining ware.
The picnic blanket is amazing too with a foam back and fabric top. Use it on a picnic table or on the lawn.
- One each: Smucker’s Natural Fruit Spreads in Strawberry, Red Raspberry, Orange Marmalade, and Concord Grape
- Picnic basket (plates and utensils included)
- Picnic blanket
- Gingham spreader
- Bocce Set
- Frisbee
- $75 Amex gift card
a Rafflecopter giveaway
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30 Day Winning Rule applies. For complete contest rules, please see our Contest Statement and Blog Disclosure.
Contest ends at 11:59pm EST on October 21, 2013 when a winner will be drawn at random. I will notify the winners and they will have 36 hours to respond or another winner will be selected!
This was not a paid post. My own opinions were used based on my perceptions and experience. Thank you to Smucker’s who provided the products for review and giveaway.
