Stuffed Eggs.

Funny Stuffed Eggs
Now with the Easter approaching this picnic food idea becomes even more topical. Once the eggs are hard-boiled and cooled let your kids help you in cracking, peeling, mashing yolks, preparing filling, etc. You can experiment with fillings and flavors. This is an easy to do and quick recipe. A few minutes of preparation and 10-15 minutes for cooking – that’s all the time required. Yields: 24 stuffed eggs.

Ingredients:
12 (1 dozen) large free-range eggs
0.25 cup of mayonnaise
2 tbsp mustard
1 tbsp sweet well-drained pickle relish
Seasoning: salt and black pepper to taste
Paprika (to sprinkle)

Instructions:
Eggs
There are different methods of egg cooking. You can either place them in a pan add enough water to cover, bring water to the boil and allow the eggs cook for 10-15 minutes on a medium-low heat. Then set aside the pan, remove the eggs from the hot water and place them in cold running water for 5 minutes or in a bowl with cold water (also with ice).

Or, you can do it the other way. Once the pan with the eggs boils, set it aside, cover with lid, and allow eggs harden for 15 minutes. Then remove the eggs likewise and allow to cool. Of course this part with boiling the eggs is not the kids’ part. Tip: some people add salt in the boiling water to prevent cracking.

Drain the eggs. Slightly tap the plump ends of the eggs over the table surface of with a butter knife just to crack. Then peel the eggs removing the membrane but keeping the whites intact.

You may need to rinse (and then drain) the eggs to make sure there are no stuck shell bits on them.

Cut the eggs lengthwise, carefully remove the yolks. Place the yolks in a medium bowl. You can have the egg halves either on the table or better to lay them on a baking sheet (or a jelly roll pan) in advance covered with paper towel, and set the halves aside while you are preparing the filling.

Funny Stuffed Eggs.

Filling
Mash the yolks, add the mustard, mayonnaise, sweet pickle relish, and salt and black pepper to taste and stir till well combined. Scrap the mix from the bowl sides if needed.

Plentifully fill the eggs with the mixture. Use a spoon, butter knife for that or do it the other way. Fill a (zip-lock) plastic bag with the filling, make a small hole in the corner fill the eggs squeezing the piping the mix out. Set the eggs to cool completely, then drizzle paprika just before serving on the plates with lettuce.

For decoration use dill, parsley, onion sprigs, or slices of olives, radish, carrot, pepper, etc. Use the recipe as a practical game with your kids. You can experiment with different decoration for the stuffed eggs, make chick eggs, red devil eggs, or basket eggs.

Cheese Stuffed Bread

Cheese Stuffed Bread
This picnic food idea can be a perfect alternative to picnic pizza. The recipe is healthy. Fill free to experiment with ingredients. You can add chicken meat, mushrooms or whatever your kids prefer. Prepare the picnic food together with your kid/s. Preparation time 15 mins, cooking – 30 mins. Yields: 4-6.

Ingredients:
pizza dough (better to have homemade)
3/4 cup of Italian tomato sauce (quick marinara sauce)
1.5 cups grated cheese
1.5 cups sliced precooked sausage or finely chopped broccoli florets

Instructions:
Divide the dough, make 2 oval pieces, roll each till 6 to 9 inch size. Brush one half of the dough with tomato sauce, drizzle cheese, add sausage or broccoli (or what else is to your taste). Have the ingredients equally for the both dough rolls.

Apply some water all over the dough edges to allow good sealing as you cover one side over the filling and press the ends. Press the pastry slightly leveling it. Also you can make ornaments to decorate it as you wish.

You may wish to lightly oil the baking sheet before laying the breads in it. Try not keep the breads maximally far from each other. Cover with plastic or towel and allow to rest till oven is preheated to 400F (200C, Gas 6). Make small cuts for ventilation in the breads. Bake in the breads for about half an hour till golden-brown. When done allow to cool on the wire rack for 15 mins. Serve the picnic food with sour cream and fresh juice. Bon Appétit!

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Children and Pregnancy Friendly Picnic Food Ideas

Healthy and Quick Picnic Recipes for Kids

Lamb Cutlet with Wine Sauce.

Lamb Cutlets in Dough Cases with Wine Sauce

You may give the tender cutlets to your children without the wine sauce. Preparation time: 40-50 mins, the same for cooking; yields 4.

Ingredients:
Lamb Cutlets
1 lamb rack
Seasoning: salt and black pepper
1 tbsp vegetable oil
plain flour
1lb 2oz (500g) puff pastry
4 tsp mint jelly
1 free-range egg

Note: trim the lamb rack (if needed) for cutlets, beat the egg. Use freshly ground black pepper.

Red Wine Sauce
5fl oz (150ml) red wine
7fl oz (200ml) lamb stock (either cube stock or fresh)
1 tsp cornflour
1 tbsp redcurrant jelly
Seasoning: salt and black pepper

Instructions:
Cutlets
Sprinkle the lamb cutlets with salt and black pepper. In a non-stick skillet pan-fry the cutlets for a couple of minutes per side. When done, set aside to cool.

Wine Sauce
Place the skillet over heat again. Add wine to deglaze meat segments for the sauce. Add the stock and the redcurrant jelly. Over low heat bring to the boil, simmer for some 5 mins to half boil out the amount.

In a small bowl mix 2 tsp cornflour with water until a paste. Add into the skillet continuously stirring. Also add any juices that are on the cutlet plate. Allow simmering for another couple of mins, sprinkle with salt and black pepper. Set aside till when serving.

Spread a piece of baking parchment on the baking tray. Slightly drizzle your workplace with flour. Roll out the dough till its 12in (30cm) square and ⅛in (3mm) thick. Make 8 square pieces of dough to wrap the lamb cutlets.

Add 0.5 tsp mint jelly at side on the dough, lay 1 cutlet above the jelly with the bone at one pastry corner.

Slightly brush the dough edges with the beaten egg; wrap the cutlet in the pastry square well sealing the corners firmly. Repeat with all cutlets. Place the parcels on the baking tray sealed sides down. It is safe to leave it in the fridge for several hours (even overnight) if needed.

If proceeding at once, have the oven preheated to 400F (200C, Gas 6); bake the parcels for 20 – 25 mins till golden-brown.

Return the wine sauce over the low heat till simmering; stir. Serve the sauce with the picnic food warm enough.

Pancakes with Filling.

Cheese and Asparagus Pancakes
Preparation time: 20 mins, cooking: 30-40 mins; yields up to 10.

Ingredients:
Filling
1 tbsp butter
1 tbsp oil
9oz (250g) leeks
9oz (250g) asparagus
4fl oz (120ml) boiling water

Note: wash and finely chop the leaks, trim asparagus ends.

Pancakes
3.5oz (100g) melted butter
14oz (400g) plain flour
Seasoning: salt
1.5 pints (800ml) whole milk
4 eggs
2fl oz (50ml) olive oil
oil (for frying)

Cheese Sauce
1¾oz (50g) butter
1¾oz (50g) flour
20fl oz (600ml) milk
5.5 (150g) grated cheddar

Note: it is recommended to use 1 tsp mustard to the sauce to add piquant flavor.

Asparagus.

Instructions:
Preheat the oven to 350F (180C, Gas 4).

Filling
In a saucepan melt the butter over low heat, add the oil. When hot add the leeks chops sauté for about 4 mins till just soft. Add asparagus, water. Increase heat to medium, cover with the lid; simmer for about 3 minutes; cool.

Pancakes
Sift the plain flour, sprinkle salt. Whisk together the milk with eggs then whisk in the flour. Add the cooled butter (melted) and the olive oil; whisk. Place in the fridge till when needed.

Cheese Sauce
Slightly heat the milk, set aside. Melt the butter in a saucepan; set aside. Add the flour, stir well, cook for a couple of minutes; set aside. Continuously stirring add the milk. Continue to simmer over low heat for up to 10 mins till smooth and thickened. Add the grates cheddar; set aside.

Place a slightly oiled non-stick skillet over the medium-high heat. Add a medium size ladle of pancake batter quickly swirling to equally cover the bottom. Pan-fry for about 1 min per side till golden-brown. Repeat with the whole batter. Cover a plate with a greaseproof paper when piling the picnic pancakes.

Tip: To prevent sticking you may layer the paper also between the pancakes.

Spoon the filling to the pancake center, add 1.5 tbsp cheese sauce; wrap. Repeat with all pancakes. Bake in the oven for 20 mins. Serve the picnic food idea either warm or cooled.

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Healthy and Quick Picnic Recipes for Kids

Budget-Friendly Picnic Food Recipes for Kids

A picnic is a special occasion for the family and especially for their kids. In the nature children run about full of energy and joy. Fresh air stimulated high spirits and good appetite. With so many positive emotions the consumed food indeed becomes wholesome for the entire organism. A picnic can be organized to celebrate special event, holiday, a weekend or just be the family get together. The article provides healthy and quick recipes for kids meals and gives important picnic tips.

You may want to make preparations in advance of the al fresco event however if you do not have time for that you need not worry. Classical (or bagel) sandwiches with cheese, ham and lettuce, as well as biscuits, fruits, crisps will always taste perfect when dining outdoors on a picturesque site. Also you might want to have the barbecue must – the hotdogs, especially, that they are so easy to grill. If you wish to have special meals for the picnic the special and mouthwatering recipes listed below will be a perfect match for the family picnic with focus on kids.

Tortilla Wraps

Quick recipes

Wraps. Fill in tortilla wraps with ham and cheese or tuna. Sweet corn will also go well with it. You may use the spiced precooked chicken meat also known as the “Coronation chicken” as a tasty filling. Apart from tortilla for fillings you may have bagels, croissants, pitta (or pita), or paper thin lavash.

Dressed Apples. Make apple slices or cut it in two halves. Remove the apple core part with seeds. Spread some jelly, honey or peanut butter on each piece.

Best Toffee Sauce for Kids

Ingredients:
1½ oz of brown sugar
1½ oz of butter
1 tbsp of golden syrup
2 oz of corn (unpopped)

Instructions:
Let the butter melt in the pot and on the slow heat. You may wish to slightly heat the tablespoon to let the syrup slide off smoothly. Pour the syrup and sugar into the melted butter. Stirring leave the liquid on the high heat for about 2 minutes. As per the instruction on the popcorn packet pop the corn. Then add the sweet sauce to coat the popcorn well. As it cools for 10 – 15 minutes you may serve it in paper cups.

Tip: to have the popcorn more savory, coat it with melted butter (1 oz) and some sea salt.

Dry Fruits and Nuts

Healthy snacks for kids

Healthy Pitta Pocket. Fill in the pitta bread with shredded lettuce, cooked meat and low-fat grated cheese. Top it either with tomato slices, non-spicy tomato ketchup or a salsa sauce.

Nutritious Trail Mix. This recipe is for the five and above year-old kids. In same proportions mix dried fruits, nuts and crispy (whole wheat) cereal flakes. The dried fruits may include the traditional prunes, raisins, dates, as well as dried peaches, bananas, apples, pears, apricots, figs, cherries, cranberries, kiwifruit, persimmons, pineapples, mangoes, and other. Use airtight bags or paper cups when serving the trail mix to the children.

Picnic / Lunch Box

Picnic Boxes
A very convenient option will be to take the basic picnic food boxes stuffed with ready-to-use food. Nevertheless you should have extra sandwiches, fruits and other products with you as in the open air small kids have big appetites. Preparing the picnic boxes may be enjoyable also for your kids. Do it together, let the children draw on the boxes, decorate them with stickers, etc. According to food preferences or diet you may put names on each box as you stuff it accordingly.

All supermarkets and party shops sell cardboard boxes. Buy the medium size party ones. Decorate them with fruit and vegetables stickers. The picnic box should contain: sandwiches made according to the kids’ tastes and diets, popcorn, crisp, and dried fruits (optional) packets, a box of juice, paper cups, and napkins. Due to that most kids have a sweet tooth you may prefer to serve sweets afterwards so that they will eat the snacks first.

Things to remember when on picnic with children
Take easily transportable food and products.
Have cold and hot food options.
Make sure you have enough of food, drinks (sweet, carbonated), water, plates, cups, cutlery, napkins, bin-liners, wet wipes, and blankets.
When dining out keep sweets and biscuits in plastic boxes or bowls instead of plates.

Important (!): Before offering food made according to our healthy and quick recipes for kids instructions make sure the children do not have allergies or particular diet. You should always read the food packet labels to make sure the product does not contain the allergic ingredients. The list of most common allergy reactions are triggered by: milk, eggs, nuts, fish, and wheat.

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Budget-Friendly Picnic Food Recipes for Kids

Picnic Food Ideas for Children

Kids are the easiest to please because they like picnic foods that are bite-sized, delicious—and sweet. Packing the picnic basket with goodies for kids is such a breeze and not so expensive. Just make sure that the kiddie foods are colorful and appetizing to look at.

Picnic food dishes for kids need not be expensive and elaborate to prepare. Just throw in lots of munchies in the picnic basket and cold drinks in the ice chest, the tykes should be chirpy and happy. Children love to play picnic games so don’t forget to bring along the frisbee or volleyball for the picnic.

Barbecues are all-time favorite picnic foods. Barbecued steaks and chicken legs are popular as picnic foods for adults; and hotdogs with roasted marshmallows for kids. Bring them raw and marinated so everyone will have fun cooking the food. It is more exciting to eat fresh-from-the-grill meat or hotdogs. You don’t have to buy a new grill for the picnic to save space for those big jugs of ice-cold drinks. Just don’t forget to bring a bagful of dry charcoal and matches along with the good ole iron grill. Light your charcoals at the center of several pieces of like-sized rocks to create a makeshift grill stove.

Picnic Hotdogs On-The-Go

Ingredients:

1 bag/kilogram jumbo-sized hotdogs, sweet and cheesy variety
Bamboo barbecue sticks

Ingredients for Basting Sauce:

1 medium red onion, peeled
1 cup ketchup
½ cup brown sugar
¼ cup vegetable oil
¼ tsp Iodized Salt
1/8 tsp ground white pepper

How to: Skew one hotdog per stick. Make sure at least 3 inches length of stick is visible for easy handling. Using a sharp knife, make light diagonal lines on both sides of the hotdog. Set aside. (Optional: Hotdogs can be cut into bite-sized cubes before skewing.) In a blender or osterizer, combine all ingredients for basting sauce and blend for 3 minutes. Pour in a container and cover tightly. This baste mixture can also be used to meat barbecue recipes.

Simple Pork Barbecue

Pork is easier and quicker to cook over hot coals. Unlike beef, pork is juicier even when over-cooked—just don’t forget to baste the meat with sauce while grilling. Marinate pork cubes (or steaks or pork chops) in soy sauce, lemon, and seasonings overnight to make the meat more savory. To make kebabs, skew the pork cubes with your choice of vegetables or fruits in between (i.e., cherry tomatoes, pineapple chunks, onions, and peppers). For kiddie picnic barbecue, make it all-meat with shorter stick.

Ingredients:

2 pounds lean pork meat, cubed to 1/2-inch thick
1 cup soy sauce
1 piece lemon
5 cloves garlic, crushed and chopped finely
½ tsp each of salt and ground pepper

How to: Thoroughly mix all ingredients, except the pork meat. Arrange the cubes in the marinade mixture and set aside in the refrigerator for 1 hour, or overnight. When placed in the freezer, the marinated meat can remain fresh up to 3 days.

Tasty-and-Delicious Chicken Nuggets

Chicken nuggets are so easy to make even kids can help prepare them. Or you can just buy ready-to-cook nuggets from the supermarket. But, hey,  homemade picnic foods are tastier and cheaper so get your aprons and head to the kitchen. Fried or baked, these nuggets are tender to eat.

Ingredients:

2 cups flour, sifted (alternative: cornflakes, roughly crushed)
½ tsp salt, fine
¼ tsp ground pepper, fine
1/8 tsp garlic powder
1 cup grated cheese
2 eggs, lightly beaten
2 pounds chicken breasts, washed and well-drained and cut into desired-size rectangles

How to: Combine all dry ingredients and blend thoroughly to make breading mix. Dip each piece of nugget in beaten egg and roll in the breading. For frying, heat 2 cups of oil in an iron skillet until smoke appears on the oil’s surface. Lower the nuggets one by one into the hot oil. For baking, arrange the breaded nuggets on a greased baking pan and bake in the pre-heated oven until cooked. Serve with ketchup or mayonnaise or any kind of salad dressing, or even honey.

Icy Lemonade Drink

Picnic drinks are usually canned or bottled soft drinks and water. Why pump your kids with artificial sweeteners or tasteless liquid? Fruit juices are rich in Vitamin C, like the lemonade made from lemon juice. Place them in jugs full of ice or pour them into containers and keep cool in the picnic ice chest—to keep the kids asking for more of the revitalizing fruit juices.

Ingredients:

5 cups lemon juice, freshly squeezed
5 cups white sugar

How to: Blend all ingredients well and mix with water, according to taste. To preserve the tangy and fruity taste of lemonade, add only ice.

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How to: Prepare Delicious Snacks for Picnic

Three  Picnic Chicken Recipes

If you have a family, or work with children of all ages, then a summer picnic in the fresh, open air is a perfect way to entertain them and help them burn off some of that energy that kids have from being inside all day. Taking them to a park, or to a playground, or even to an open field, is a great way to enjoy your time with them – and let them enjoy their time with you. In this article I will share you with you a few tried-and-true picnic food ideas for children, to make your picnic a fun experience for all.

The Best Sandwich Food Ideas

The centerpiece of any successful kid-centric picnic is the sandwich. They are easy to make, not very messy, and easy to clean up after – and kids love them. If you want a simple picnic food that you can throw together easily, then make the classic peanut butter and jelly sandwich. Children love PB&Js and will have no problem with eating them, so you do not have to worry about fussy children.

If you do not want to go the PB&J route, then bring a variety of sandwich meats and ingredients (such as mustard, mayo, lettuce, tomato, cheese, etc.) and let the children make their own sandwiches. Children love to be creative and to make things that are their own; letting them fix their own food teaches them a little responsibility and lets them have fun at the same time.

And if you decide you want a simple yet tasty treat to give your children with a minimum of prep time or fuss, then I suggest making grilled cheese sandwiches for them. A grilled cheese sandwich is a delicious yet easy to fix treat that any kid will love, so packing a basket full of them is highly recommended and is a great picnic food idea.

Picnic Food Ideas for Dessert that Children will Love

Everyone knows that children really look forward to desserts at any meal, especially a picnic. But a picnic may not be appropriate for many typical desserts, such as ice cream (which will melt easily and get very messy). If you want a no-fuss dessert, then try baking cookies. (You do not have to bake them, of course, but making them yourself adds that personal touch.) Chocolate chip cookies are generally the preferred cookies for children, but you can also throw in some variety by including peanut butter cookies, fudge cookies, or your common sugar cookies with icing.

Another great picnic food idea for dessert is watermelon. Having watermelon with your meal is a great way to cool down your kids, as well as give them a healthy treat that tastes wonderful. Plus, all you have to do is bring the watermelon and cut it up. Watermelon also hydrates well, so you get some protection from the sun. And what kid does not enjoy having contests to see who can spit the seeds out the furthest?

Taking children to a picnic is a great activity for the summer. Hopefully these picnic food ideas I have shared with you will help to make this great activity even better.

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Picnic Food Ideas – Five Great Picnic Sandwiches