Picnics are a cheap way to get out of the house and eat. Here are 26 things you can bring.
Having a picnic? Not sure what to bring? Here's a list of dishes from A- Z that should help to get you started.
Just remember the summer safety tips, use a proper insulated picnic container. Bring ice if you won't be eating right away.
A - Asparagus - steam it until just tender, put them in an airtight plastic container and serve with a dip.
B - Bean Salad- so easy to make, just get a tin of mixed beans add chopped parsley , tinned baby corn and spring onions with just a bit of olive oil. It's a meal all by itself.
C - Couscous salad - another real easy salad, put a cup of couscous (small Moroccan pasta) at the bottom of the bowl, add a row of chopped tomatoes then sprinkle with salt, add another row of cucumber, top with a row of chopped parsley. Leave in the fridge overnight or for at least two hours then mix.
D - Dolmades , stuffed grape leaves sold at most good delicatessens.
E- Egg salad cut the boiled eggs with an egg cutter add mayonnaise, spring onions and salt and pepper to taste.
F- Foccacia is the perfect picnic bread, wonderful for sandwiches. Fill them up with romaine lettuce, artichokes, anti-pasta, cheese or whatever you like.
I- Italian Salad bring a fresh taste of Italy to your picnic!
J - Juice yes you can just bring or buy pop but this is so much healthier and tastier to make your own and fill up thermoses with added ice cubes.
K - Kurobuta pork for a meat that's really different.
L- Lychee nuts are small, sweet, highly portable, taste just like candy but aren't. Trust me kids will love them. Usually sold at Chinese grocers.
M-Muffins they're just great for dessert or for snacking.
N- Nectarines, they don't have all the fuzz that peaches have, so they're just right.
O- Orzo is also called Israeli pasta or couscous, it looks like rice but it's a pasta. While it's normally eaten hot, it still tastes good cold. Fry it up in a deep saucepan with olive oil, when it's all brown, pour water or soup stock over it, and let boil. Keep putting more water on it until it's down. You can then add chopped vegetables, mushrooms, or spring onions and then fry it up again. Pack in an airtight container.
P - Potato Salad no picnic is complete without one. There are various ways to make it here is a a potato salad recipe from the party editor. If potato salad has too many carbs for you, try a cauliflower salad make it the same way you would a potato salad, boil the cauliflowers until just tender.
Q - Quinoa is a South American high protein grain. It cooks just like rice but its not, it great for anyone with a wheat allergy, and it has a wonderful nutty flavor if you have a taste for something different.
S- Strawberry salad. Either bring all the ingredients and pack separately and assemble there or transport in an airtight container surrounded by ice.
T- Tomato- cherry or grape varieties are best for picnics they're also great for salads. If you're going to make sandwiches, use beefeaters or plump field tomatoes.
U- Umbrella in case of rain- If you can think of something else please tell me in the discussions.
V- Valencia Oranges the best kind of snacking or juice oranges. Just for fun, take along a juicer and have everyone make their own fresh orange juice.
W - Watermelon remember the best ones, have a hollow sound. Don't forget to bring along a good knife and board for cutting. Or get a melon baller and scoop it out and put it in an airtight container.
X - Xtra virgin olive oil - just drizzle it on the roasted red peppers, or over bread or on salad or... (thanks to the suggestion in the discussions)Y- Yogurt, pack surrounded by ice if you're not going to eat it right away. Bring those little individual portions containers.
Z- zucchini- grill with Italian herbs, salt and pepper before the picnic, squirt lemon on top just before eating.Also don't forget the sunscreen and to have a good time!
The copyright of the article Picnic A to Z in Summer Recipes is owned by Devorah Stone. Permission to republish Picnic A to Z in print or online must be granted by the author in writing.
