Enjoy A Picnic With These Great Recipes

Click here for recipes for a perfect picnic!

by Anne Middleton, on May 3rd, 2016

When the weather is gorgeous, and you have the day off, there's nothing quite as delightful as a picnic. It doesn't take much to put one together, and you'll have a great time with family and friends. There are a multitude of picnic recipes that are easily manageable, and don't require a lot of setup at the picnic grounds.

A picnic is defined as, “excursion at which a meal is eaten outdoors, ideally taking place in a scenic landscape such as a park, beside a lake or with an interesting view and possibly at a public event such as before an open-air theatre performance, and usually in summer.”  It sounds simply magical and picnics can be memorable with just a little planning and a lot of spontaneity.

All of these dishes play nicely with blankets and sunshine:

A Picnic at the Beach

The perfect seaside meal is made up of picnic recipes that can last packed in ice in the cooler all day. Spicy Cold Chicken and a Bitter Orange Crostata (a yummy and flaky Italian tart) are foods that can stand up to the sand and the heat of waterside picnics. Plus these are tasty foods everyone will devourer.

Playdate Picnic

Whether you are having a picnic in the back yard or a playdate at your local park, finger foods can be a flavorful and healthy option.  Wraps and sandwiches can be made in advance and they travel with ease. Plus, they keep picnic clean-up to a minimum. Try this Turkey Wrap Recipe that has become a favorite for kids of all ages.

Concert in the Park Picnic

A sophisticated occasion calls for a meal that can go from the refrigerator to a blanket on the lawn. Skip the boring  baguette and cheeses and try this upgraded simple and delicious take on a picnic recipe for pasta salad featuring eggplant and penne pasta.

More Picnic Perfect Recipes:

Oven-Fried Chicken 

No picnic is truly complete without fried chicken.  But try this healthier option for your summertime event and eliminate the greasy feeling on your fingers and in your tummy. The chicken in this picnic recipe is oven-fried, removing grease (and calories) while still producing an extra-crunchy crust. It allows you and your family to enjoy a guilt-free summer picnic.

No Mayonnaise Potato Salad

This unique picnic recipe for a traditional picnic food is made without mayonnaise to reduce the concern about serving it outdoors on a hot summer day. It takes less than 25 minutes to make and can be prepared in advance for a picnic dish that will become a favorite.

Tequila Lime Black Bean Salad

The unexpected burst of flavor that comes from this picnic Mexican salad includes a mix of spices, vegetables and citrus flavor. This is one of those easy salad recipes you're not going to forget about anytime soon.

Cool Cucumber Salad

A chilled dish is a comforting addition to any picnic whether you are by the pool, inside a screened porch or at the playground. This easy cucumber salad recipe uses only five ingredients to create a refreshing and quick-to-prepare addiction to your picnic menu.

Two Minute Coleslaw

A classic, quick and ingenuous recipe that will add crunch to your picnic and provide you with a scrumptious favorite.

Dessert – The Perfect Picnic Ending:

Watermelon Pie

Fruit is always a nice ending to a summer picnic, but you can raise your game to a higher level with this no-bake pie that features fresh and refreshing watermelon. This picnic recipe is creamy, cool and full of fun summer flavors.

Easy Peach Cake

When we say easy, we really mean this picnic recipe is easy! All ingredients are mixed into one bowl in this simple recipe that is perfect for a warm summer day outdoors.

Finally....

Just a few more tips for a perfect picnic:

• Play! Bring a softball, or a board game. Frisbees are fun, always. Have activities that everybody can be involved in.

• Don't forget the plates, napkins and plastic utensils!

• Think comfort as much as food. Picnics are fun, unless you are sitting on soggy or rocky ground, on a blanket that's too small.

Picnics are awesome. Warmth, good recipes and the great outdoors – what could be better?

 

 

 

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1. https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Picnic