ISO: HELP! ISO very basic picnic food ideas

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amanda_pennsylvania

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My MIL's birthday is Saturday and we're going to have a picnic to celebrate. My husband has put me in charge of making food for this picnic. (He told me today, so I basically have Friday night to get everything ready.)

My MIL is NOT a food person. She only likes very basic food, nothing fancy. I found Meryl's list of picnic foods by Mark Bittman--I loved it but most of it is too elaborate for my MIL.

But now that I think about it, Barb's chicken salad that she posted yesterday in my baby shower post would probably be good. We could do that with rolls, and I could make Traca's fruit salad. In fact, perhaps I should just turn this into a trial run for the baby shower menu. I think she'd be okay with all those recipes. I had already said I'd make her a chocolate cake, so that's already planned.

Ok, now I feel better. Just need to make a list and send my husband to the store. Now we just need to find a park...

 
Sounds like you've got it under control, but some other ideas might be

cold fried chicken
cheese/ham cubes
potato salad (German, if you're concerned about mayo in the heat)
antipasta?
rolls
tomato/onion/cucumber (oil and vinegar dressing)
watermelon
baked beans (my mother would eat all of this except for the chicken!)

Have fun!

 
I love this kind of chicken. Here is another similar one from Jane Brody

that I have made for many potlucks and parties and was very well received. It is wonderful for a picnic.


* Exported from MasterCook *

FRIED CHICKEN

Recipe By :Jane Brody
Serving Size : 6 Preparation Time :0:00
Categories : Poultry

Amount Measure Ingredient -- Preparation Method

6 chicken drumsticks -- skin removed
6 chicken thighs -- skin removed
2 cups Italian bread crumbs
1/2 teaspoon garlic powder
1 tablespoon dried parsley
1 teaspoon dried oregano
1 teaspoon dried basil
1/2 cup grated Parmesan cheese
Skim milk -- for soaking chicken

Soak the chicken pieces in very cold skim milk in the refrigerator, for at least 15 minutes. Combine all dry ingredients in a large plate or pie plate. Coat each piece of chicken with the crumb mixture, making sure to cover all areas of the chicken. Place chicken on a jelly roll pan that has been sprayed with Pam or wiped with olive oil. Preheat your oven to 375 degrees and bake your chicken for approximately 45 minutes for breast and 60 minutes for thighs. Serve at room temperature.


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Chopped salad stuffed in large cooked pasta shells

(was thinking would be cool for your baby shower too:)

 
Deviled eggs... potato salad.... lemonade. Yes MoNJ - the chopped salad in shells sound good!

 
I always wondered... why do they say that chicken thighs must be

cooked to a higher temperature than the breasts? If anything, I would think the breasts would take longer, since they are fleshier than the thighs (?). Does anyone know?

 
late, but this overnight slaw is always a winner and great for do ahead

Overnight Coleslaw
1 cup sugar(I use less)
3/4 cup vinegar
1/2 cup oil
1 teaspoon garlic salt
1 teaspoon celery seeds
1/4 tsp pepper
1 teaspoon additional salt (optional, to taste)


finely shred a head of cabbage. Add one onion, thinly sliced and halved. Mix sugar into cabbage. Bring the rest of the ingredients to a boil and pour over the cabbage. Stir. Refrigerate overnight. Can be made several days in advance.

 
Well, we ended up with cold cut sandwiches.

I did at least make egg salad, so it felt a little fancier. My DH took a look at my picnic menu and determined my MIL wouldn't like any of it. So ham, turkey, and cheese sandwiches. I just kept reminding myself that it was about what makes her happy, not me. We did have fruit salad and chocolate chip cookies, and I made a basil, tomato, and mozzarella salad that was fabulous. So everyone was happy.

 
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