Nothing is more relaxing than a picnic outdoors during the warm days of late spring and summer. Instead of worrying about lugging a grill or a separate container with hot food, prepare some refreshing cold foods and pack them with ice packs in a cooler. Most cold foods can be prepared in advance, so getting ready is quick and easy---perfect for a spur of the moment picnic with your kids, friends or romantic interest.
Cold Chicken
If you have leftover fried chicken, pack it in your picnic cooler. You may find that it's just as delicious cold as it was fresh out of the oven. For extra flavor, pack small sealed containers of barbecue sauce or honey mustard dressing for dipping.
Cold Cut Sandwiches
For an easy picnic meal, pack a variety of cold cuts such as thinly sliced ham, turkey or roast beef. Include lettuce leaves, sliced tomatoes, pickles, mustard and mayonnaise packed separately. Wrap or stuff your sandwich in pita bread for something a little different.
Cold Cubes
Cube a variety of cheeses and meats for appetizers or the main course. Don't forget to include a variety of crackers, pickles and olives to add crunch and zest.
Chips, Vegetables and Homemade Salsa
Being outdoors can perk up an appetite, so make some hearty homemade salsa to go with corn chips and your favorite fresh vegetables. All you have to do is add two ripe tomatoes, a couple sprigs of cilantro, 1/2 cup of diced onions, a dash of Worcestershire sauce, jalapeno pepper, salt and pepper to your food processor. Pulse the mixture until it reaches the consistency you like. Pour it into a plastic container and snap on the lid. Use this salsa for dipping corn chips and sliced fresh vegetables.
Pimento Cheese
Colorful pimento cheese spread for sandwiches or for vegetable stuffing is a favorite food in the South. The colorful combination is festive and filling, and it's very easy to make. Combine 1 cup of shredded cheddar cheese, 3 tbsp. of chopped pimentos and 2 tbsp. of mayonnaise. Spread this mixture on slices of bread, or stuff cherry tomatoes or stalks of celery with it.
Eggs
Eggs are packed with protein, and they are easy to cook with, so they make an ideal picnic food. You can boil them the day before and keep them refrigerated in the shell until you are ready to go, or you can peel and chop them up for egg salad sandwiches. To make a simple egg salad, mix two chopped boiled eggs with 1 tsp. of pickle relish and 1 tbsp. of mayonnaise. Add salt and pepper to taste. Wait until you're ready to eat to spread it on bread, or the bread will get soggy.
Salmon and Cream Cheese
Spread a layer of smoked salmon and spread a thin layer of cream cheese over it. Roll it up, slice it and put it in containers. Salmon and cream cheese rolls are easy finger foods to snack on.
Fresh Vegetables
Pack a variety of fresh vegetables for munching during the picnic. Easy veggies to eat with the fingers include grape or cherry tomatoes, celery sticks, baby carrots, fresh broccoli and bell peppers.
Grapes
For a healthy and refreshing snack, pack grapes. All you have to do is wash them, place them in bags and they're ready for the cooler. For additional visual appeal, bring grapes in a variety of colors.
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