Seven Tasty Recipes to Spruce up Your Picnic
By Whitney Saupan
Spring has arrived! It's time to go outside and enjoy the beautiful weather. What better way than by packing up some delicious food and enjoying a picnic with your loved ones. When I think of the picnics I had as a child I remember the classic peanut butter and jelly sandwiches, the potato salad, cookies and juice boxes. As much as I enjoy those foods, I'm grown up now and I want a picnic that is a bit more sophisticated so I've found some good recipes that can take your picnic from bland to grand.
Try these two recipes as a main dish.
Avocado and Ham Sandwiches
So you still want to have a traditional picnic food. No problem use this recipe to give your taste buds a break from the classic Pb and j sandwiches.
Calories per serving: 325
2 loaves French bread (about 18 inches each). Regular sandwich bread would work just as well.
1/4 cup butter, softened
2 tablespoons Dijon style mustard
1/8 teaspoon coarse black pepper
3/4 pound Virginia ham, sliced
3 large avocados, peeled and sliced
Directions:
Step 2: Stir the butter, mustard, and pepper together until smooth, and spread on both sides of the bread. Layer with the ham and avocado, and sprinkle with the sea salt.
Step 3: Wrap the sandwiches with parchment, and tie with a string to secure. Keep chilled and serve within 3 hours.
Recipe formatted with the Cook'n Recipe Software from DVO Enterprises.
Southern Fried Chicken
If you're looking for something a bit fancier than sandwiches, then give this fried chicken recipe a try; it's sure to be a crowd pleaser.
Ingredients:
1 3-pound whole chicken, cut into pieces (buy pre-cut chicken breasts would work as well)
1 cup all-purpose flour
salt and pepper to taste
1 teaspoon paprika
1 quart vegetable oil for frying
Directions:
Step 2: Add 1/2 to 3/4 inch oil to a large, heavy skillet. Heat to approximately 365 degrees. Place chicken pieces in hot oil. Cover, and fry until golden, turning once (15 to 20 minutes). Drain on paper towels.
Recipe formatted with the Cook'n Recipe Software from DVO Enterprises.
Every meal needs something to wash it down with. Try the recipe below.
Rhubarb Lemonade
Serving size: 6
Calories per serving: 217
2 or 3 stalks rhubarb, chopped
1 1/2 cups sugar
5 cups water
1 1/2 pounds strawberries, stemmed and crushed
1 cup freshly squeezed lemon juice, about 5 large lemons
Directions:
Step 1: Bring rhubarb, sugar, and water to a boil. Remove from heat and stir in strawberries. Let steep and cool for 30 minutes
Step 2: Strain mixture through a fine sieve, discarding solids, and refrigerate to chill. Stir in lemon juice. Serve over ice.
Recipe formatted with the Cook'n Recipe Software from DVO Enterprises.
Don't forget the sides. Get creative! Maybe use one of the recipes below.
Broccoli Pasta Salad
Leave the potato salad at home! Give this light salad that can be served both warm and cold a try.
Calories per serving: 261
1 (8-ounce) package linguine pasta
1 (12-ounce) bag broccoli florets, cut into bite-size pieces (or you could chop your fresh broccoli)
1/4 cup olive oil
4 teaspoons minced garlic
1/2 teaspoon red pepper flake
1/2 cup finely shredded Romano cheese
2 tablespoons finely chopped fresh flat-leaf parsley
1/4 teaspoon ground black pepper
salt to taste
Directions:
Step 2: Place a steamer insert into a saucepan and fill with water to just below the bottom of the steamer. Bring water to a boil. Add broccoli, cover, and steam until tender (3 to 5 minutes).
Step 3: Heat olive oil in a small saucepan over medium heat; cook and stir garlic and red pepper flakes until garlic is fragrant (1 to 3 minutes). Add garlic mixture and broccoli to linguine; gently toss to coat. Add Romano cheese, parsley, black pepper, and salt; toss to combine.
Recipe formatted with the Cook'n Recipe Software from DVO Enterprises.
Bell Pepper Slaw
This side is a perfect combination of spicy and cool and will heat up your picnic.
Calories per serving: 176
3 tablespoons sugar
Kosher salt
1/2 cup apple cider vinegar
1 1/2 teaspoons celery seeds
1 1/2 teaspoons mustard seeds
freshly ground pepper
6 red, orange, or green bell peppers, cut into thin strips
2 stalks celery, finely chopped
4 scallion s, chopped
1/2 head green cabbage, thinly sliced and roughly chopped
3 tablespoons whole-grain Dijon style mustard
1/2 cup mayonnaise
Directions:
Step 2: Add the celery seeds, mustard seeds, 1/2 teaspoon pepper, the bell peppers, celery, scallions and cabbage, and toss to combine.
Step 3: Refrigerate at least 1 hour to allow the flavors to develop
Step 4: Add the mustard and mayonnaise to the slaw and toss to coat.
Step 5: Refrigerate until ready to serve.
Recipe formatted with the Cook'n Recipe Software from DVO Enterprises.
Finally no picnic is complete without a little dessert. Give the recipes below a try.
Tiny Fudge Tarts
These mini desserts are easy to pack and easy to eat.
Serving size: 15
Calories per serving: 141
1 1/2 cups all-purpose flour
1/4 teaspoon salt
1/2 cup butter, softened
3 tablespoons water
2 teaspoons vanilla extract, divided
1 egg yolk
1/2 cup white sugar
1/4 cup unsweetened cocoa powder
1/2 cup flaked coconut
Directions:
Step 2: Sprinkle the water and 1 teaspoon vanilla over the mixture and mix well using a fork. Set aside.
Step 3: In a small bowl, mix together 1/4 cup butter, egg yolk, and sugar until smooth.
Step 4: Beat in 1 teaspoon vanilla, cocoa and coconut until smooth. Set aside.
Step 5: Use 1/2 of the dough at a time. On a cloth-covered board, dusted generously with sugar, roll dough out to 1/16 inch thick.
Step 6: Cut the dough into 2 1/2 inch squares. Spread 1 teaspoon of filling onto each square, bring the corners to the center, and press lightly to seal.
Step 7: Place the squares onto an ungreased cookie sheet, about 2 inches apart. Bake for 15-20 minutes, or until edges are golden.
Step 8: Cool for a few minutes on the cookie sheets before removing to wire racks to cool completely.
Recipe formatted with the Cook'n Recipe Software from DVO Enterprises.
Strawberry Hand Pies
Although this dessert may take a bit more time, this is the perfect dessert for a picnic. It’s a pie you eat with your hands! What could be better?
Serving size: 6
Calories per serving: 382
2 1/3 cups all-purpose flour (you might need a little more for dusting)
1 teaspoon baking powder
1 1/4 teaspoons salt
1 stick cold, unsalted butter, cut into small pieces
2 large egg yolks
1 teaspoon vanilla extract
3/4 pound strawberries, cut into 1/2-inch pieces
1/2 cup confectioners' sugar
3 tablespoons strawberry jam
1 tablespoon sanding sugar
Directions:
Step 2: Meanwhile making filing: In a medium bowl, combine strawberries, confectioners’ sugar and jam, plus remaining flour, vanilla, and salt. Set aside.
Step 3: In a small bowl, beat remaining yolk and 1 tablespoon water for egg wash; set aside. On a lightly floured surface, roll out dough to 1/2 inch thickness. Using a 3 inch round cookie cutter cut dough into 6 rounds.
Step 4: Roll 1 round into a 6 inch circle. Spoon a heaping 2 tablespoons filling onto half of circle, leaving 1/2 inch border. Brush the edges with egg wash, and then fold dough over filling. Using a fork, crimp the edges to seal hand pie. Transfer to a parchment-lined baking pan. Repeat with remaining dough rounds and filling.
Step 5: Using a toothpick, poke a few holes in the top of each pie. Brush with remaining egg wash and sprinkle each pie with 1/2 teaspoon sanding sugar. Bake until golden brown, 30 to 35 minutes. Transfer to a wire rack to cool.
Recipe formatted with the Cook'n Recipe Software from DVO Enterprises.
- https://www.delish.com/recipefinder/strawberry-hand-pies-recipe-clv0712
- https://www.delish.com/recipefinder/rhubarb-lemonade-recipe-clv0510
- https://allrecipes.com/recipe/broccoli-pasta-salad/detail.aspx
- https://www.delish.com/recipefinder/avocado-ham-sandwiches
- https://allrecipes.com/Recipe/Southern-Fried-Chicken/Detail.aspx
- https://www.foodnetwork.com/recipes/food-network-kitchens/bell-pepper-slaw-recipe/index.html
- https://www.recipe4living.com/recipes/tiny_fudge_tarts.htm
Whitney Saupan
Weekly Newsletter Contributer since 2013