Summer is here for many of you in our audience, which means it’s time to get your picnic on! It’s the perfect way to enhance a special date, hiking with friends, family get-togethers, a trip to the lake – enjoying a meal outdoors adds a special nuance to any gathering. When it comes to picnic must-haves, Oprah.com recommends these essentials from Wendy Weston, found of Perfect Picnic NYC.
- Flavored water
- Salad with substance
- Trimmings for the sandwiches
- Something to satisfy your sweet tooth
- Condiments with versatility
- Planet-friendly cutlery and plates
- And don’t forget your picnic basket or tote!
When it comes to ideas for what to eat, we’ve got you covered. Bring your own special touches to your picnic feast and don’t be afraid to experiment. Be aware of food safety and proper food-handling techniques to help avoid foodborne illnesses, which can escalate during the warm summer months. For guidelines from the experts, visit FoodSafety.Gov, which aggregates guidelines and tips from several Federal agencies.
Hero photo by Bonnie Kittle on Unsplash.
Skinny Poolside Dip
Skinny Poolside Dip from The Lighten Up Cookbook. Photo: St. Martin’s Griffin.
A lighter take on the traditional corn and cream cheese dip from Addie Gundry’s latest tome, The Lighten Up Cookbook. Recipe here.
Honey-Glazed Sweet Potato Chips
Honey Glazed Sweet Potato Chips by National Honey Board
How about this for originality in your picnic basket? Honey Glazed Sweet Potato Chips – they’re easier to make than you think and make the perfect sweet snack for your outing. Recipe here.
Honey Ginger Pecan Snack Mix
Honey-Ginger-Pecan-Snack-Mix courtesy of American Pecan Council.
Sweet? Meet savory – with a touch of ginger and honey. Nutritious, portable and full of flavor. Recipe here.
Green Pea and Edamame Hummus
Green Pea Edamame Hummus via Ritual Wellness curated by Project Juice.
The edamame packs huge flavor while the peas add a hint of sweetness, balanced by garlic and a bit of tahini. A generous helping of cilantro and a squeeze of lime add freshness and a bright finish. Recipe here.
Mini Chicken Sliders
Mini Chicken Sliders. Photo by Lance Mellenbruch.
Looking for something a little different for your picnic basket? Give these Mini Chicken Sliders a try. They’re both tasty and trendy – and quite portable. Recipe here.
Avocado Ranch Club Sandwiches
Avocado Ranch Club Sandwiches. Photo: Lance Mellenbruch.
Fresh and healthy avocado club sandwiches are perfect for an impromptu afternoon picnic on the front porch or back yard swing. Wrap these easy-to-assemble sandwiches in wax paper, pile into a basket with tall glasses of lemonade served in old fashioned mason jars and enjoy the day. Recipe here.
Homemade Samoas. Photographer: Victor Protasio, Food Stylist: Mary Claire Britton, Prop Stylist: Thom Driver.
Pack some scrumptious Homemade Samoa Cookies with a recipe from Siri Daly, Today Showfood contributor and author of the delightful new cookbook Siriously Delicious. Recipe here.
Avocado Buttercream Cupcakes
Avocado Buttercream Cupcakes. Photo: Lance Mellenbruch.
Just when you thought buttercream couldn’t be any creamier, we go and introduce avocado to the mix. The perfect mini-dessert for any picnic. Sweet, portable and not overwhelming! Recipe here.
Fresh Peach Sweet Tea
Peach Sweet Tea. Photo: Lance Mellenbruch.
For this Southern sweet tea recipe, we used a simple syrup infused with sweet ripe peaches to flavor our fresh brewed tea. Recipe here.
Watermelon Infused Water
Watermelon and Basil. Photo: Lance Mellenbruch.
Serve this spa-inspired fruit-infused water at your next picnic or gathering. It’s a refreshing sugar-free alternative to lemonade. Recipe here.
Comments