A Guide to Summer Picnics
The first day of summer is only a few weeks away, and we're all ready for summer fun. A trip to the beach or the countryside wouldn't be complete without a picnic. No matter what the setting, a picnic meal can be either high calorie, or it can be an opportunity to serve interesting, healthy foods. We'll present a picnic menu that is sure to please, and will give you some tips to make the meal easy and trouble-free.
Picnic food can include just about anything. With modern coolers, refrigeration isn't a problem. There are, however, some food safety tips that must be followed. Food should not be left at room temperature for more than 2 hours. If the day is hot, the time would be shorter. Hand washing before meals is just as important outdoors as in, so if running water isn't available, carry along a wash up kit of sanitizing wipes and make sure to clean your hands. And when you're done with your meal, a rule to follow is to leave nothing but footprints at your picnic site. Plan to carry trash out with you to be disposed of where animals and insects won't be attracted to it.
When planning your menu, keep a few things in mind. The food served shouldn't be messy or drippy to eat, and it shouldn't be anything that will stain clothing if dropped. So forget the pickled beets and juicy deli sandwiches for this meal. You want food that is easy to eat and doesn't require much in the way of utensils. Everything should be prepared ahead of time so, the cook can enjoy the meal and the company.
We've combed the Calorie Count recipes database for dishes, created by Calorie Count members, that can be easily carried and served. We hope you like them.
- Vegetarian Caprese Paninni - A grilled sandwich that can be made ahead of time and served cold. We suggest cutting this big sandwich into 2 servings for a lower calorie offering.
- Zesty Tomato Salad - Make the night before to allow the flavors and juices of the vegetables to meld. Serve chilled as the perfect, refreshing side dish.
- Parmesan Eggplant Appetizers - Baked ahead of time, these can be served at any temperature. The light breading and subtle parmesan flavor are a real hit with everyone.
Comments
Those are some great suggestions, Claire. My favorite picnic fare are simple finger foods. Steamed shrimp, cantaloupe, strawberries, blueberries (etc), whole grain crackers, and a spreadable lite cheese. And of course a glass of red wine...just for health reasons of course! lol!
Ah, picnics... I love them. Gone on a few already this year. I love bringing a cut up pineapple to share and a big ol' jug of water. Strawberries, turkey sandwiches. Sweet potato fries. Grapes. Nuts. A whole roasted chicken (the kind the grocery store has hot) is fun to dig into (sharing, of course!).
Now all I need is a red and white checkered blanket that the little ants can march across to steal my food!
I saw this awesome old-fashioned picnic basket with a little cooler inside...but it was too expensive. Darn.
The best picnic is where you have a light lunch and then go hiking to work it off a bit. Fun!! I can't wait for the weather to clear up so I can go on a picnic!
Thanks for sharing the cake recipe!!! I've been wanting to make one with applesauce in it.. :D
I love outdoor picnics and the recommended recipes sound good, I do think that they go against the article's advice to not bring messy foods, and foods that do not require utinsels ...juicy tomato salad is not a finger food :-)
Either way I am ready to pack up a picnic lunch and enjoy the outdoors!!
Nope, not a finger food, and neither is the Jicama Slaw, but both are so good! We have to live a little! Have a great picnic, and feel free to put links to your recipes right here!
One of my picnic staples is fruit kabobs. I firmly believe that any food becomes more delicious and fun if you eat it off of a stick. I make melon kabobs and tropical kabobs and bring them on every picnic. They have all the goodness of fruit salad, without needing bowls and utensils.
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Here are the other recipes featured in this week's newsletter
Jicama Slaw CaribeA great picnic dish. Use a food processor to save time when making this crunchy, naturally sweet slaw. If you aren't familiar with jicama (pronounced hicama) ask your produce manager... continue reading
Wacky CakeA healthy version of an old fashioned chocolate cake. This is a fat free cake that replaces oil w/applesauce. It contains no eggs or dairy. Sugar can be replaced with Splenda to reduce calories... continue reading
Ginger Iced TeaRefreshing and different, you'll love this beverage. Make it ahead, sweeten to taste and serve ice cold... continue reading