A picnic meal need not be a complicated event. Offering cold food items makes the menu easier to control. There will be less equipment to bring and fewer cleanups afterwards.

For God so loved the world that he gave his one and only Son,that whoever believes in him shall not perish but have eternal live. John 3:16 (NIV)

Sandwiches are a preferred picnic item. In the past a sandwich consisted of two pieces of bread and lunch meat. Sandwiches have been given an overhaul in recent years.

To add variety to ordinary sandwiches, choose from a variety of breads. Sandwiches are being made from pitas, flatbreads, and tortilla wraps. Cut the bread the night before and store in an airtight container.

Buy meats from the deli counter at the grocery store. Fresh turkey breast, ham, chicken breast, and salamis are options. Put the sliced deli meats in the freezer. The morning of the picnic, take them out so they can slowly thaw and stay cold until they are ready to be consumed.

You can run into trouble with condiments at a picnic, especially anything that is made from dairy products. Refrigerate mayonnaise based foods and dips until ready to pack the cooler for the picnic. To avoid having condiments containers sitting out without refrigeration, use condiment packets like the ones available at fast food restaurants.

Salads of all types are awesome cold picnic options. Macaroni or potato salad is best when served cold. If your get together is large, investing in single serving plastic cups with lids will avoid bringing too much to the picnic. When mayonnaise based salads come to room temperature they begin to get soupy and could spoil.

Rather than a fruit salad, bring along whole fruits. Fruit need not be refrigerated. It can be cleaned off before you leave the house and kept from the light in a paper bag. Choose a selection: apples, peaches, oranges, plums, and etcetera. Fruit makes a nutritious dessert alternative than ice cream or candy. Plus it has natural sweetness.

Individual pouches of chips and other snacks keep everyone’s hands from reaching in the same bag, dirty and clean. There will be no opened bags of chips to transport home. This gives picnickers more variety without having to spend a fortune on snacks. It also allows everyone to choose the snacks or chips they prefer so everyone gets what they prefer most.

Nuts make an easy snack for a picnic. They need no refrigeration and can be easily transported. For easy handling by others, separate nuts into individual snack bags. Any bags that are not consumed can be emptied back into the can to be eaten later.

Cold food items equal a convenient and simple picnic menu. There is no need to use a grill. Packaging foods individual allows for less mess and easier serving.

For more excellent suggestions for the kitchen and recipes from Christine Steendahl, "The Menu Mom", go to http://www.themenumom.com

Article Source: EzineArticles.com

Web recipes-on-the-net.com

2 Great Cold Picnic Food Recipes by Akilah Moore
3 Great Summertime Cole Slaw Recipes by Shelly Hill
10 Safety Tips for Planning a Picnic Date by Don Diebel
Another Great Picnic Menu by Brenda Collett
A Quick Dinner Recipe Perfect For Home Or Picnic by Diane Watkins
Barbecue Picnic Recipes by Ed Stein
Easy Picnic Recipes You Need to Try by Roy Maloney
French Picnic Tart Recipe by Kim Steele
Gourmet Picnics by Lauren McNeal
How to Prepare a Perfect Romantic Picnic by Lauren McNeal
Let's Eat Outside – Great Kid-Friendly Picnic Ideas by Susanne Myers
Meat and Vegetable Combinations For Grilling and Picnics by Lisa Moses
Old Fashion Recipes For a Great Picnic Including Honey Fried Chicken by Linda Carol Wilson
Old Fashion Recipes Perfect For Picnics and Potlucks by Linda Carol Wilson
Pick at Picnic - Food Handling Tips by Benedict Yossarian
Picnic at the Beach - Easy Dinner Recipes and Dinner Ideas For Family Fun by Julie Languille
Picnic Food Ideas by Joseph Devine
Picnic For Two at the Concert - Rachmaninov by JoAnn Jagroop
Picnic For Two at the Concert - Vivaldi by JoAnn Jagroop
Picnic Ideas - Pack a Picnic From Your Pantry by Peggy Hurd
Picnic Menu and Recipes Suitable For Diabetics by Linda Carol Wilson
Picnics and Backyard Barbeque - Plan a Healthy Deck Party by Rosanne Rust
Picnics Made Easy by Christine Steendahl
Planning a Picnic? Here's a Complete Menu Just For You by Alan Kassirer
Popular Picnic Recipes by Lauren McNeal
Thinking Outside of the Bun - Unique Picnic Menu Ideas For Family and Company Picnics by Jamie Rose Erickson

< Back to Picnic Recipes