Picnics are a great way to enjoy the outdoors and spend quality time with friends and family. And what better way to make your picnic even more special than with some delicious homemade food? In this blog post, we will share some mouth-watering recipes that are perfect for a picnic. From savory sandwiches to refreshing salads and sweet treats, these recipes are sure to make your picnic a memorable one.
Savory Sandwiches
Sandwiches are a classic picnic food that is easy to make and transport. Here are two delicious sandwich recipes that are perfect for a picnic:
1. Caprese Sandwich
This Italian-inspired sandwich is bursting with flavor and is perfect for a summer picnic. To make this sandwich, you will need:
- 1 loaf of ciabatta bread
- 1 large tomato, sliced
- 1 ball of fresh mozzarella, sliced
- 1/4 cup of fresh basil leaves
- 2 tablespoons of balsamic vinegar
- 2 tablespoons of olive oil
- Salt and pepper to taste
Start by slicing the ciabatta bread in half and drizzling the olive oil and balsamic vinegar on both sides. Layer the tomato slices, mozzarella slices, and basil leaves on one half of the bread. Sprinkle with salt and pepper, to taste. Place the other half of the bread on top and wrap the sandwich tightly in plastic wrap. When you’re ready to eat, simply unwrap and slice into individual servings.
2. Chicken Salad Sandwich
This sandwich is packed with protein and is perfect for a more filling picnic meal. Here’s what you’ll need:
- 2 cups of cooked and shredded chicken
- 1/4 cup of mayonnaise
- 1/4 cup of plain Greek yogurt
- 1/4 cup of diced celery
- 1/4 cup of dried cranberries
- 1/4 cup of chopped pecans
- Salt and pepper to taste
- Bread or croissants for serving
In a bowl, mix together the shredded chicken, mayonnaise, Greek yogurt, celery, cranberries, and pecans. Season with salt and pepper, to taste. Serve the chicken salad on your choice of bread or croissants for a delicious and filling picnic sandwich.
Refreshing Salads
No picnic is complete without a refreshing salad to balance out the savory sandwiches. Here are two salad recipes that are perfect for a picnic:
1. Watermelon Feta Salad
This salad is a perfect combination of sweet and salty and is perfect for a hot summer picnic. Here’s what you’ll need:
- 4 cups of cubed watermelon
- 1/2 cup of crumbled feta cheese
- 1/4 cup of chopped fresh mint
- 1/4 cup of chopped red onion
- 2 tablespoons of balsamic vinegar
- 2 tablespoons of olive oil
- Salt and pepper to taste
In a large bowl, mix together the watermelon, feta cheese, mint, and red onion. In a separate small bowl, whisk together the balsamic vinegar, olive oil, salt, and pepper. Pour the dressing over the watermelon mixture and toss to combine. Serve it chilled for a refreshing and flavorful salad.
2. Quinoa Salad
This salad is packed with protein and is perfect for a healthy and filling picnic meal. Here’s what you’ll need:
- 1 cup of quinoa
- 1/4 cup of diced red bell pepper
- 1/4 cup of diced yellow bell pepper
- 1/4 cup of diced cucumber
- 1/4 cup of diced cherry tomatoes
- 1/4 cup of crumbled feta cheese
- 1/4 cup of chopped fresh parsley
- 2 tablespoons of olive oil
- 2 tablespoons of lemon juice
- Salt and pepper to taste
Cook the quinoa according to the package instructions and let it cool. In a large bowl, mix together the cooked quinoa, bell peppers, cucumber, cherry tomatoes, feta cheese, and parsley. In a separate small bowl, whisk together the olive oil, lemon juice, salt, and pepper. Pour the dressing over the quinoa mixture and toss to combine. Serve it chilled for a healthy and delicious picnic salad.
Sweet Treats
No picnic is complete without some sweet treats to satisfy your sweet tooth. Here are two easy and delicious recipes:
1. Chocolate-Covered Strawberries
These decadent treats are perfect for a picnic and are easy to make. Here’s what you’ll need:
- 1 pound of fresh strawberries
- 8 ounces of dark chocolate
- 1 tablespoon of coconut oil
Wash and dry the strawberries and set them aside. In a microwave-safe bowl, melt the dark chocolate and coconut oil in 30-second intervals, stirring in between, until smooth. Dip the strawberries in the melted chocolate and place them on a parchment-lined baking sheet. Let them cool in the fridge for 15-20 minutes before serving.
2. Lemon Bars
These tangy and sweet lemon bars are perfect for a picnic dessert. Here’s what you’ll need:
- 1 cup of all-purpose flour
- 1/4 cup of powdered sugar
- 1/2 cup of butter, softened
- 2 eggs
- 1 cup of granulated sugar
- 2 tablespoons of all-purpose flour
- 1/4 cup of lemon juice
- 1/4 teaspoon of baking powder
- Powdered sugar for dusting
Preheat your oven to 350 degrees Fahrenheit. In a bowl, mix together 1 cup of flour and 1/4 cup of powdered sugar. Cut in the softened butter until the mixture resembles coarse crumbs. Press the mixture into an 8×8 inch baking dish and bake for 20 minutes. In a separate bowl, beat the eggs, granulated sugar, 2 tablespoons of flour, lemon juice, and baking powder until well combined. Pour the mixture over the baked crust and bake for an additional 20 minutes. Let the lemon bars cool before dusting them with powdered sugar and cutting them into squares.
Summary
In conclusion, a perfect picnic is not complete without some delicious homemade food. These recipes for savory sandwiches, refreshing salads, and sweet treats are sure to make your picnic a memorable one. So pack up your picnic basket and head outdoors to enjoy these delicious recipes with your loved ones.
