Summer food brings people together. It is fresh, flavorful and can be enjoyed outside in the fresh air. With more opportunities to eat outdoors, summer is a lovely time of year to have a picnic with your friends, family or significant other. We gathered some of the best summer picnic recipes perfect for any outdoor outing. They’re easy to make and take, and they deliver on flavor and presentation.
1. Antipasto Skewers
If you want to bring a taste of Italy to your picnic, try out these simple antipasto skewers. They include mozzarella cheese, salami, olives, tomatoes, tortellini and other delicious ingredients. Get creative and swap out any ingredients based on your preferences.
Ingredients
• 15 long wooden skewers
• 1/2 cup zesty Italian salad dressing
• 1 9-ounce package cheese tortellini
• 1/2 teaspoon hot sauce (optional)
• 1 9.5-ounce jar of your favorite olives
• 1 small package grape tomatoes
• 1 package thinly sliced Genoa salami
• 1 8-ounce container mozzarella balls
• 1 can artichoke hearts, chopped
• 40 pieces basil leaves, torn
Directions
1. Cook tortellini according to package instructions. Drain and rinse in cold water.
2. In a resealable plastic bag, combine tortellini with salad dressing and hot sauce. Seal the bag and toss to combine ingredients. Refrigerate for up to four hours (at least 15 minutes).
3. When ready to assemble, drain tortellini and discard any excess marinade.
4. Assemble skewers. Try any arrangement you like by threading ingredients one at a time.
2. Avocado Chicken BLT Wraps
Swap out a predictable picnic sandwich with these spicy avocado chicken BLT wraps. You may already have most of these ingredients in your kitchen!
Ingredients
• 2 large whole-grain or gluten-free wraps of your choice
• 5 ounces cooked chicken breast, cut into small pieces
• 3 strips crispy bacon, crumbled
• 5 leaves romaine lettuce, cut into small pieces
• 1/2 cup cherry tomatoes, halved
• 1 avocado, pitted and sliced into strips
• Salt and pepper to taste
• 2 tablespoons mayonnaise
• 1 teaspoon coconut palm sugar
• 1 teaspoon hot sauce (optional)
Directions
1. Chop and slice chicken, avocado, cherry tomatoes and lettuce, and crumble bacon.
2. In a medium bowl, add mayonnaise, coconut sugar, salt, pepper and hot sauce, and stir to combine.
3. Add chicken, tomatoes and bacon, and mix with mayonnaise dressing until thoroughly coated.
4. Place wraps on a flat surface and line with avocado slices. Mash avocado with a fork.
5. Add lettuce pieces over mashed avocado. Bring chicken mixture to the center of each wrap, then roll the wraps and slice in half.
3. Chicken Salad with Grapes and Pecans
It isn’t a picnic without chicken salad! This healthy chicken salad subs mayonnaise with Greek yogurt and takes just minutes to make. Serve it on your favorite type of bread or over some greens, and add avocado for even more delicious health benefits.
Ingredients
1. 2 cups Rotisserie chicken
2. 1/4 cup plain Greek yogurt
3. 1/4 teaspoon garlic powder to taste
4. 1/4 teaspoon salt to taste
5. 1/4 teaspoon pepper to taste
6. 1/2 cup celery, chopped
7. 1/2 cup pecans, chopped
8. 1/2 cup grapes, quartered
9. Bread, lettuce or croissants
Instructions
1. In a large bowl, stir Greek yogurt, garlic powder, salt and pepper.
2. Add chicken, pecans, grapes and celery. Stir until combined.
3. Adjust seasonings as needed.
4. Serve on croissants, bread or over lettuce.
4. Fruit Salad with Honey-Lime Dressing
Fruit salad is the perfect summer picnic dish. With crunch, sweetness and tanginess, you can’t go wrong with this refreshing fruit salad with honey-lime dressing.
Ingredients
• 1 1/2 cups strawberries and/or raspberries
• 1 1/2 cups cantaloupe, diced
• 1 1/2 cups pineapple, diced
• 1 1/2 cups honeydew melon, diced
• 1 cup blueberries
• 1 cup grapes, halved
• 1/2 cup pomegranate arils
• 1/4 cup honey
• 1 teaspoon fresh lime zest
• 3 Tablespoons fresh lime juice
• Fresh mint (optional)
Directions
1. In a large bowl, toss berries, cantaloupe, honeydew melon, pineapple, pomegranate arils and grapes.
2. In a small bowl, whisk honey, lime zest and lime juice. Drizzle dressing over fruit and toss to combine.
3. Garnish with fresh mint leaves. Serve immediately or store with plastic wrap in the refrigerator.
5. Tomato Avocado Salad
Another summer favorite, this tomato avocado salad is full of flavor and texture. It tastes delicious and includes lots of healthy ingredients full of antioxidants.
Ingredients
1. Juice of 1 lemon
2. 3 avocados, cubed
3. 1 package cherry tomatoes, halved
4. 1 small cucumber, sliced
5. 1/3 cup corn
6. 1 jalapeño, minced (optional)
7. 2 Tablespoons cilantro, chopped
8. 1/4 cup extra-virgin olive oil
9. 1/4 teaspoon cumin
10. Kosher salt
11. Freshly ground black pepper
Directions
1. In a small bowl, whisk oil, lime juice and cumin. Season dressing with salt and pepper.
2. In a large bowl, combine tomatoes, cucumber, avocados, corn, cilantro and jalapeño. Toss gently with dressing and serve right away.
6. Italian Pinwheels
These tasty Italian pinwheels are easy to prepare, pack, and enjoy. You can make them ahead of time or the morning of your summer picnic. This recipe serves 10 people and is a great option for larger gatherings, so keep them in your recipe book for game days, potlucks and holiday parties!
Pinwheel Ingredients
• 3 large flour tortillas
• 1 8-ounce package genoa salami
• 30 small pepperoni slices
• 9 slices provolone cheese
• Romaine lettuce
Pepper Spread Ingredients
• 1 8-ounce package cream cheese, softened
• 1/4 cup Italian bread crumbs
• 1/4 cup parmesan cheese
• 2/3 cup roasted or sweet peppers, chopped finely (or use food processor)
• 2/3 cup banana peppers, chopped finely (or use food processor)
Directions
1. In a medium bowl, mix pepper spread ingredients until combined.
2. Spread 1/3 of mixture onto each tortilla.
3. Place 3 slices of cheese side-by-side in center of each tortilla.
4. Layer salami to cover tortilla.
5. Layer pepperoni over salami.
6. Add romaine lettuce on top of pepperoni.
7. Roll up tightly and refrigerate to cool for one hour
8. Slice into pinwheels
7. Hasselback Tomato Caprese
Maybe you’ve tried Hasselback potatoes, but have you ever heard of Hasselback tomato Caprese? Caprese salad lovers will swoon over this fresh creation at your summer picnic.
Ingredients
1. 4 Roma tomatoes
2. 10 large basil leaves, torn in half
3. 1 pre-sliced log fresh mozzarella cheese
4. 1/2 cup balsamic vinegar
5. 1 Tablespoon extra-virgin olive oil
6. Salt and freshly ground black pepper to taste
Directions
1. Thinly slice each tomato. Be careful to not cut through the bottom.
2. Cut mozzarella slices into half-moons.
3. Layer a piece of basil on top of each mozzarella slice, then wedge between each tomato slice.
4. Bring balsamic vinegar to boil until thick, about 4 minutes
5. Drizzle vinegar and olive oil over tomatoes and season with salt and pepper
8. Chocolate Filled Strawberries
Every picnic needs a sweet treat, and this twist on chocolate-covered strawberries will be sure to satisfy any sweet tooth.
Ingredients
• 15-20 large strawberries
• 1 bag milk chocolate chips
Directions
1. Cut stems off of strawberries and scoop out tops of berries. The deeper you scoop, the more chocolate the berries will hold.
2. Pour bag of chocolate chips into a glass bowl and microwave for 30-second intervals. Stir chips after every 30 seconds, and continue until all chocolate chips are melted.
3. Place strawberries in an ice tray or mini muffin tin so they sit straight up. Spoon melted chocolate into strawberries, or use a piping bag.
4. Place in refrigerator for about 10 minutes for chocolate to harden.
These easy-breezy recipes are sure to please your loved ones no matter where your picnic plans take you this summer. What else should be easy-breezy? Your health insurance. Call a licensed K.F. Gourgues Insurance agent at 985-778-0072 or visit us online to learn more about your health care options today.