Sunday is #NationalPicnicDay
It’s Picnic season (!!!)…for only about one more week in AZ…but that’s okay, because Sunday is #NationalPicnicDay…so what better time than to set up the PERFECT picnic? Now, I’ll be honest..I kept it pretty simple. I think picnics are nice enough on their own, they don’t need to be all fancy. I do have some small, helpful tips though.
A. Put your straws in a clean, UNUSED toothbrush travel holder to keep clean.
B. Bring a muffin pan so you can set your snacks, drinks, etc. in the muffin cup parts of the pan for a makeshift flat surface.
C. Use as many disposable items as you can (i.e. salad in a plastic cup)
D. If you’re making it a more romantic or fun, boozy picnic, ditch the bottle of wine and instead pick up some canned wine from your local grocery (it’s totes all the rage right now).
Materials
- Picnic Basket
- Picnic Blanket
- Disposable plates, napkins, plastic ware, disposable mini cups with lids, disposable 16oz cups with lids
- Grocery list below
- Daffodils (optional)
APPETIZER
Individual servings hummus and pita chips
Entree
I HAD to use the lovely Joanie Simon’s (www.joaniesimon.com) salad-in-a-cup recipe because not only are they SCRUMPTIOUS, but she is my all time fav and appears on our show from time to time. Go check out more of her recipes…I can promise you, you WON’T be disappointed.
Recipe
Stetson Chopped Salad TO-GO A simplified variation on the famous Stetson Chopped Salad from Cowboy Ciao in Scottsdale, Arizona.
- ½ cup mayo
- ½ cup buttermilk
- 2 tsp lemon
- salt
- pepper
- ¼ cup fresh basil
- ¼ c oil
- 8 oz Israeli Couscous
- 8 oz Cherry tomatoes
- ¼ cup dried cranberries
- 1 cup chopped arugula
- ½ cup corn
- ¼ cup pepitas
Instructions
- Combine mayo, buttermilk, lemon, salt, pepper, basil and oil in a blender and blend until smooth.
- Layer remaining ingredients in plastic cups with the couscous on the bottom.
- When ready to serve, pour dressing over salad and serve.
Simple Entree alternative or in addition to the salad
Basic PB&J sandwich. Can’t go wrong with a fan fav!
Drink
- Simpler Brand Wines- italian sparkling rose (canned)
- Canned Lemonade
Dessert
Upper Crust Bakery mini Lemon Bites (Fry’s) …also they are DELISH! I couldn’t stop eating them even before my TV segment- oops!!