Fruity Salads for Summer Picnics

Fruits are healthy, especially when eaten fresh. For picnic snacks and healthy picnic food ideas, chilled fruit bits and chunks are best packed in single containers for easy serving.  Mix with honey, cream, condensed milk, or yogurt—these crunchy fruit cuts will turn to delicious and refreshing picnic fruit desserts. Some picnic dessert recipes use mayonnaise, sour cream, mustard, or spicy peanut and shrimp sauce.

Picnic fruit salad recipes are quick to prepare. These delightful and colorful bowls of goodies can be served as a picnic desserts or appetizers. Offer these picnic fruit cocktail appetizers before serving the spicy picnic foods to turn your picnic meal more enjoyable to eat and make other picnic dishes taste taste yummier.

Watermelon Fruit Salad (Credit given to flickrfanmk2007 from flickr.com)

Watermelon Picnic Fruit Salad Basket

Here’s something that kids would enjoy seeing on the picnic table—a creative fruit salad basket instead of the usual salad bowl. The basket is very easy to make. Just cut a quarter off the watermelon fruit and, using a small knife or metal baller, start carving out the fruit flesh from the rind. Watermelon balls in the picnic fruit salad will surely catch the kiddies’ interest and satisfy their playful appetites.

Ingredients:

1 medium whole watermelon, cut into cubes or shaped into balls (shape the fruit rind into a basket)
1 small whole cantaloupe, peeled and cut into cubes or shaped into balls
3 pieces kiwi fruit, peeled and cut into thin round slices
1 cup blueberries, washed and drained well (keep stems intact)
1 cup honey, as salad dressing

How to: In a large bowl, drizzle honey over fruit cuts and toss carefully to avoid bruising. Arrange inside the watermelon basket. Using a food plastic wrap, cover the whole fruit to prevent from wilting while inside the refrigerator. Chill for several hours or overnight. Bring extra honey and cream to put on top before serving.

Weight Watchers’ Picnic Yogurt Fruit Salad

Most people often think of picnics as happy occasions that always overflow with delicious picnic foods, irresistible sweet desserts, ice-cold softdrinks, and lots of laughter. Everybody enjoys going to picnics with family and friends. Eating under the trees and with fresh air turns every picnic food delectable and sumptuous. Diets are temporarily forgotten because everything that comes out of the giant picnic baskets is just mouth-watering and appetizing. For picnickers who don’t want to add inches to their waists while enjoying picnic goodies with the whole clan, a simple fruit salad with yogurt is the perfect dessert for diet watchers.

Ingredients:

1 cup young coconut meat, shredded into long strips
1 cup fresh strawberries, thinly sliced
1 cup whole green grapes, washed and drained well
1 cup whole blueberries, washed and drained well
1 whole peach, peeled and cut into cubes
3 thin slices of fresh lemon for garnishing (optional)
4 cups yogurt, unflavored and with live organisms

How to: Mix all fruits and toss in 3 cups of yogurt. Set aside 1 cup of yogurt for toppings on salad per serving. Chill inside the refrigerator for 1 to 2 hours before packing inside the cooler filled with ice cubes.

Creamy Fruit Salad (Credit given to Simply Cakes from flickr.com)

Creamy Picnic Pineapple and Cherry Salad

Just looking at the pineapple chunks and cherry halves lusciously coated with sweet cream can make any mouth water with anticipation. This salad recipe can be readied in a jiffy. No skills needed but a working knowledge of operating a can opener.

Ingredients:

1 large can fruit cocktail in light syrup, drained well
1 small can cream
1 small can condensed milk
1 small jar halved cherries, drained well
½ cup shredded cheese, as garnishing (optional)

How to: In a large bowl, combine together all ingredients. Mix well. Cover. Chill overnight. Serve with shredded cheese on top.

Grapefruit and Gojiberry Salad (Credit given to Picks Over Peas from flickr.com)

No Dressing Citrus Fruit Salad for Picnic

Health-conscious individuals who like to stay immune from airborne cold virus can bring along picnic fruit salad naturally rich in vitamin C. No dressing added because the juice from the citrus fruits is enough. Just pack in plastic containers with cover and chill inside the picnic ice coolers. For people with sweet tooth, drizzle honey over citrus bits and enjoy the tangy goodness while lounging under the sun.

Ingredients:

2 whole grapefruit, peeled and sectioned
1 cup gojiberry
½ dry coconut shreds
½ cup honey

How to: Mix grapefruit and gojiberry. Scoop into small plastic container with cover. Arrange inside cold coolers to chill. To serve: drizzle 1 tsp honey and sprinkle 1 tsp coconut shreds on top.

Summer will soon be gone again. Enjoy the warmth of the sun and the great picnic foods with family and friends. Choose to buy the fruits that are in season so that picnic fruit salad desserts will not be too expensive to prepare.

Grilled foods are always perfect for picnic outings. Kids and adults alike love hot grilled foods grilled foods for picnic lunches or dinners. Barbecued meat or fish (or any kind of seafood like shrimp and squid) tastes better when cooked with grilled vegetables as side dish. Fresh air is the best seasoning for these picnic food recipes to grill. No meal is more enjoyable when shared with family and friends. Make sure to choose the right wine and vegetable side dish for grilled foods you bring to the picnic.

Two Grilling Methods

Two types of grilling when using charcoal or barbecue briquettes: direct and indirect grilling  methods. Thick cuts of meat usually require cooking over indirect heat; while easy-to-cook picnic foods can be grilled directly over charcoal embers. For indirect grilling method, create an empty space in the middle by scraping the hot charcoals to opposite sides of the grill.

BBQ Tips and Techniques

Here are some grilling tips and techniques to make your picnic food grilled dishes yummy and tasty. Do not burn or overcook because charred meat is not healthy for the body. To avoid overcooking, picnic grilled foods are microwaved or boiled in marinade. To avoid charring, apply sauce or marinade on barbecued meat when cooking time is almost over. To avoid losing the delicious juices while grilling the picnic foods, do not press the meat (like steak or hamburger patties) while cooking. Rub cooking oil on the clean and dry surface grill grate to keep food from sticking. Round-shaped grill has equal distribution of heat.

How to Prepare the Charcoal Grill

Clean the grate grill with steel brush, rinse well, and let dry; then brush on some vegetable oil. Remove ashes in the grill. Arrange the charcoal or briquettes like a mountain with a small cave opening at the bottom. Roll and twist a piece of paper to form a long and thin shape. Light one end and carefully insert into the “cave”. Smoke should be free to escape through the pile of charcoal so that oxygen can get inside to keep the fire alive. Use a metal utensil or thick stick to spread the hot coals.

Grilled Shrimp with Tomatoes (Credit given to sean dreilinger from flickr.com)

Picnic Grilled Shrimps

Shrimps are quick-cooking and best grilled over direct heat.

Ingredients:

20 pieces large shrimp (without head), peeled and deveined but keep the tails intact
1 piece small lemon
2 Tbsp honey

Marinade Ingredients:

2 cups barbecue sauce
½ tsp ground pepper, fine
¼ tsp fine salt
¼ tsp garlic powder

How to: In a small bowl, mix all ingredients for marinade. In a large bowl, squeeze lemon over shrimps. Set aside for 2 minutes; then, wash quickly and drain well. Marinate shrimps for 1 hour. Drain well before grilling to avoid burning. Stick 5 shrimps to each barbecue bamboo sticks, horizontally or vertically. Arrange on pre-oiled grill grate and cook over a single layer of red-hot charcoal or white bbq briquettes. Shrimps cook for 6 to 10 minutes; or 3 to 5  minutes for each side. Brush marinade on shrimps only once and when almost half-done. Drizzle or brush honey on grilled shrimps and serve hot on top of sliced ripe tomatoes and shreds of green lettuce.

Chicken Barbecue (Credit given to thebittenword from flickr.com)

Picnic Barbequed Chicken Drumsticks

Dark-colored chicken barbecues are caused by the sweetness in the marinade. If light color is desired, pre-cook the chicken drumsticks with the marinade to shorten the grilling time.

Ingredients:

6 pieces medium chicken drumsticks or legs, thawed and well-drained
¼ cup soy sauce
1 Tbsp honey
1 Tbsp lemon juice, freshly squeezed
1 Tbsp hot sauce
1 Tbsp brown sugar
½ tsp garlic powder
¼ ground pepper
¼ fine salt

How to: Combine all ingredients and set aside for 1 to 2 hours. Using a fork, prick chicken legs on different parts so that meat will absorb the marinade. Cook chicken over indirect heat. Braise the marinate on the chicken

Pork Ribs on Grill (Credit given to Joe Perez-Green from flickr.com)

Picnic Pork Ribs on Hot Grill

Pork is tastier when cooked slowly. Braise with some barbeque sauce while cooking over indirect heat to make it smell delicious. Pork ribs are the best choice for picnic grilled meat recipes because pork meat is more tender than beef.

Ingredients:

2 pounds pork ribs, washed and drained
2 cups barbeque sauce
¼ cup vegetable oil
½ cup chili sauce (optional)
½ cup brown sugar (optional)

How to: Arrange the hot charcoal on the grill to create a vacant space on the middle. Grilling over indirect heat requires longer cooking time and frequent turning to avoid burning or charring. To keep the meat moist, brush with barbeque sauce and vegetable oil on each turning.

Summer Picnic Idea

Summer picnics are more fun when picnic foods are grilled right before eating. Remember: quick-cooking recipes are better cooked over direct heat; while large slabs of meat need to be slow-cooked using indirect heat to keep the meat tasty, juicy, and tender.

It’s Valentine’s Day again! Love and romance is everywhere. Everyone has lots of love to share and also lots of gifts to give to their loved ones. Flowers, chocolates, and dates are in order for couples who want to celebrate this special occasion with their sweethearts—and even with the whole family.

Gifts need not be expensive. Savory foods and sweet cakes are perfect for Valentine’s Day. The best venue for a romantic dinner date is often at home because of two main reasons: privacy and comfort. Not to mention the huge savings on food and wine. Spontaneity intensifies the excitement when special loved ones are pleasantly surprised.

Read the rest of this entry »

Summer times are perfect for picnic outings, barbecue parties, and any outdoor activities. Picnic foods taste more delicious when eaten with friends and fresh air. However, no meal is perfect without something sweet to savor.

Most people find preparing dessert somewhat daunting because ingredients are often expensive. The cooking procedure is elaborate and time-consuming—but with a bit of imagination and creativity, desserts are really easy to make and easy on the budget, too. Here are some picnic dessert recipes that are quick to cook.

Read the rest of this entry »

The sun is shining and the air is balmy. If you got this gorgeous weather on a weekend, dig up those picnic baskets in the storage and pack them up with lots of picnic foods and picnic snack goodies. The kids will love to go on a picnic even when it’s not summer yet. You don’t have to stay outdoors for long. Enjoy the morning sun for an hour or two playing noisy ball games or hiking. These physical activities will give everyone a zesty appetite so make sure that snacks are in abundance.

Preparing delicious snacks for a picnic need not be elaborate or expensive. With just a few simple and low-cost ingredients, a number of savory picnic snacks can be whipped out within just a short time. To serve the picnic snacks warm and inviting, pack them while hot inside insulated food containers. Bring along several thermos filled with hot and creamy mushroom soup or coffee. Ice-cold fruit juice drinks would also be a hit.

Chocolate  Oatmeal Cookies

Everybody is a chocolate lover, especially kids. These delicious cookies are oozing with chocolatey goodness. Each bite is packed with energy-boosting carbs and fibers from oatmeal. Chocolate oatmeal cookies can be baked beforehand and packed in containers with air-tight lids to preserve.

Ingredients:

2 sticks (or 1 cup) softened butter
1 and ½ cups sugar, granulated
1 cup sugar, light brown
2 pcs. medium eggs
2 tsps. vanilla extract
1 and ½ cups all-purpose flour, sifted
½ cup chocolate powder (use dark chocolate if preferred)
1 tsp. baking soda
½ tsp. salt, fine grained
3 cups rolled oats (or quick cooking oatmeal)
½ cup almond nuts or peanuts, coarsely chopped

How to: In a large-sized mixing bowl, blend butter and all sugar with an electric beater. Add eggs and vanilla, continue beating. Stir in flour, chocolate powder, salt, and baking soda. Using a big spoon, fold in the oats and nuts. The batter should be firm and not watery. Arrange cookie drops on baking sheets and bake in the preheated oven at temperature of 350 degree F. Do not overcook. Set the timer to 10 to 12 minutes only, depending on the thickness of the cookie drop. Remove the cookies from the oven and cool for 1 minute before transferring onto the wire rack.

Easiest Chicken Salad Pita Sandwich

There are about a thousand ways of preparing the most famous meal in the whole world—the sandwich. A sandwich can be made with one, two, or more slices of bread. An open sandwich is just a slice of bread with delicious toppings on top like pizza. A tastier and healthier sandwich can also be made from a simple chicken veggie salad and very thin bread like pita. These pita pocket sandwiches are perfect to bring as picnic food snacks.

Ingredients:

2 pcs. whole chicken skinless breast, boiled and shredded
1 cup plain yoghurt
1 cup mayonnaise, light
1 small can crushed pineapple, well-drained
½ cup roasted walnuts, coarsely chopped
1 small head lettuce, well-drained and shredded
2 pcs. large ripe tomato, sliced thinly
2 Tbsp. fine sugar ( or honey)
Salt and ground pepper, to taste
1 pack pita bread, warmed and halved

How to: Combine shredded chicken meat, crushed pineapple, yogurt, mayonnaise, and chopped walnuts. Mix well and set aside inside the refrigerator. Warm the pita pocket breads over direct heat of the stove. Arrange lettuce and tomato slices on both sides of the pita pocket. Fill with chicken mixture generously. Wrap it individually in foil or wax sheets, then arrange inside a plastic food container with cover.

Caramelized Whole Apple-on-Stick

Apples are popular picnic fruit snacks. The tanginess and the crunchiness of apples is refreshing especially when being eaten during picnic hikes. There are lots of ways to prepare apples to be a delicious snack. Chop them to combine with other fresh fruits as salad or to bake as pie, tart, or cake. Or coat the apples with caramel to make them taste like candies kids would surely love.

Ingredients:

10 small apples, well-washed and well-dried
1 pack caramels, melted
1 cup nuts, finely chopped (optional)
1 cup marshmallow, small bits (optional)
1 cup chocolate bits (optional)
10 popsicle sticks

How to: In a small semi-deep sauce pot, melt the caramel over low heat. Replace the stems from the apples with the popsicle sticks. Dip each apple into the pot to cover with melted caramel. When the whole apple is coated, place it on a lightly buttered tray. Put some space in between the apples to avoid sticking while drying. Optional: While caramel coating is still wet, roll the apple on any choice of toppings. The caramelized apple should be firm and ready after about 30 minutes inside the refrigerator.