Last week, I co-hosted a Cooking Connections class at The Motherhood, with ConAgra and George Duran and some awesome bloggers. We chatted about great summer recipes that you can make for a picnic. The ideas were flowing and it was great to hear some tips from a pro. He even had some suggestions for kids that are picky- like mine. Below are some quick tips and if you want to watch the video, head over here and see what you missed!
Picnic Tips from George Duran
Rinse pasta in cold water to stop the cooking after you’ve drained it for your pasta salad.
To save calories in preventing sticky pasta while you’re preparing your other pasta salad ingredients, spray a little PAM Olive Oil nonstick spray in your pasta and mix it around. “Yes- I always have a problem with sticking! Great idea!” approved Yoli of Sassy Mama in LA.
To create a non-slip surface for your cutting board, put a damp paper towel underneath it.
To eat salad with your fingers, turn it into a spring roll. Make your salad and roll it in rice wrappers. “Just dip the wrapper in the water long enough to coat it. Then set it on plate and wait 10 seconds. Perfect moisten spring roll wrapper. I’ve been making spring rolls since I was 7,” said Kim of My Cup of Creativi-Tea.
To make your own croutons to save money and eat healthier, cut up bread, put it in a sheet pan and spray it with PAM Olive Oil, then toast and season it. Freezes well.
Kid-friendly picnic foods are usually finger foods like small sandwiches, cubes of cheese, watermelon wedges and other items that allow kids to keep moving while they’re eating.
To keep foods fresh over a long period of time, stick with cold foods that don’t contain milk products, and use ice packs while transporting.
Fancy picnic drinks like sangria should stick with white wines for a light drink option. “Fancy Sangria sounds really good!” said Piera of Jolly Mom. George cautioned to take it easy with alcohol during hot picnic weather, when it’s easy to get dehydrated.
At a picnic, bring giant cutting boards for serving. If a table isn’t available, they will help create a flat surface for pitchers, plates and other items.
For an alternative to sandwiches, try bringing wraps. Kids will love these peanut butter apple wrapsfrom ReadySetEat.
Remember to pre-cut food so people can easily eat with one hand or eat standing up at the picnic location. Grilled vegetables are a great picnic option, especially for vegetarians and vegans.
To make sure you’re getting a sweet watermelon, buy a pre-cut watermelon so you can see the color inside. Make sure it’s bright red.
Consider creating a toppings bar if you have guests over for a picnic. Grill hot dogs and hamburgers and let them choose their own toppings.
For more great picnic ideas, check out the New York Times piece on 101 Picnic Dishes that Angie of My Four Monkeys shared. Here’s another post that has lots of great ideas – 101 Picnic Dishes.
Disclosure: This post is part of a compensated campaign with The Motherhood. All opinions expressed in this article are my own.
The peanut butter apple wraps sound great. We have yet to have a family picnic, but I’m sure my toddler would love to have one!
Great tips, especially the salad roll.
I like tip about pre-cut watermelon so you know what you’re getting.
I kind of like sticky pasta, but that’s a great tip
Great tips. Expecially the salad roll tip.
Lyndsey.rullman at hotmail dot com
Many great ideas I will need to start putting into practice. I especially like the tip about bringing a giant cutting board for serving, that would be so handy.
Great article, Thanks!
GOTTA HAVE PRE -CUT WATERMELON ON A PICNIC