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stacy_mn

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Hi everyone -- I was a frequent reader at the old swap, but posted maybe only 2 or 3 times. I am so excited to find you all that I thought I just had to post!

It is finally getting to be spring here in the Upper Midwest. My 4-year-old loves to have picnics; my husband is on a low-carb diet. Any good ideas for picnic foods?

 
For a great salad, check out "Citrus Green Bean Salad" in above post #1662. And welcome!

 
REC: Shrimp OR Chicken Lettuce Wraps with Creamy Caesar Dressing....

Here's a great-sounding low carb chicken or shrimp dish, perfect for a picnic. This recipe received great reviews at www.foodnetwork.com.

SHRIMP OR CHICKEN LETTUCE WRAPS WITH CREAMY CAESAR DRESSING

This recipe requires no cooking and is served cold, so it makes a perfect picnic in the hot summer months as well!

INGREDIENTS:

2 hearts romaine lettuce

1 pound jumbo fully cooked shrimp, from the seafood counter in market
........... OR.............
1 rotisserie chicken, available in many markets

4 heaping tablespoons reduced fat mayonnaise
1 clove garlic, crushed
1 lemon, zested and juiced
2 tablespoons anchovy paste, optional "(But it tastes better with it in. If you think you don't like anchovies, try them in this sauce....)"
1/2 cup grated Parmigiano-Reggiano, a few handfuls
2 teaspoons Worcestershire sauce
1 teaspoon coarse black pepper, eyeball the amount in the palm of your hand: 1 teaspoon is equal to about 1/3 of a palm full
3 tablespoons extra-virgin olive oil, pour to the count of 4

DIRECTIONS:

Cut bottoms off the romaine and cut the heads in half lengthwise. Wash lettuce and separate the leaves. Let it dry in the dish draining rack while you prepare the rest of the menu.

Remove the tails from the shrimp and place the shrimp in a bowl or, pack for travel, if this is a picnic meal.

To remove the chicken meat from the chicken, cut the chicken breasts off first. Cut the legs and thighs off using kitchen scissors to help you. Slice the meat up on an angle. Arrange on a plate or in a plastic container.

Place mayonnaise, garlic, lemon, anchovy paste, cheese, Worcestershire and pepper into the blender and turn it on. Stream the extra-virgin olive oil into the dressing through center of the lid. When the oil is combined, remove the thick dressing with a spatula to a bowl or a portable plastic container.

Place lettuce on a serving platter or pack in large plastic bag or container to travel.

To assemble, spread dressing onto a lettuce leaf. Fill leaf with a large shrimp or sliced cold chicken, like a lettuce taco, and eat!

To pack for picnic, take the romaine hearts in plastic food storage bags. Pack the shrimp and cut chicken in separate bags and pack dressing in small plastic container.

Yield: 4 servings

From Rachael Ray - foodnetwork.com

 
Keeping a 4-year old in mind....

Simple foods that keep pretty well. Are you talking food made ahead? Or grilled on-site? Like BLT sandwiches on low-carb bread; BBQ chicken wings; cold fried chicken (without breading); beef or chicken sate (kids love stuff on skewers); shrimp cocktail; marinated vegetables ...if you give me a bit more detailed idea of what you'd like, I can supply you with some recipes. When I was a kid, Mom would, on the spur of the moment, simply announce, "picnic night!" and she'd pack up whatever she had been making. Even a casserole out of the oven. And we'd head for the park by the creek and have our dinner there.

 
I saw an interesting idea for summer rolls the other day.

While I do make them the traditional way with shrimp and noodles, etc. it was suggested to use the rice paper wrap for rolling shrimp or chicken salad.

You could take roasted cauliflower. It is good at room temp.

 
I was thinking of made-ahead foods . . .

"Stuff on skewers" does sound great for kids, thanks! And you're right, I should just be able to pack up "whatever" is for dinner, especially if we're just going to the back yard. But it makes packing simple if I can plan ahead for some take-along food, maybe even finger food. I don't mind cooking separate things for kids and adults, as long as both are simple!

 
I was going to post this same topic. We just bought a boat that DH THINKS is for fishing, but I see

picnics on the water. Will be interested in favorite picnic foods from everyone.

 
how about quiche? crusty bread, salad. there's always fruit and cheese and pate's...

wine for the grownups. I talian bread salad is super good too.

 
ooopsie, forgot about the low carbs. I'm on a low carb too so this is my fantasy picnic. I make...

quiches but don't eat the crust myself. cheese and pate are safe and salads too. check the carb counter on the fruit. some are lower in carbs than others. I can get away with a bit now and then. berries are low in carbs too.

if hubby needs a treat I've been using Xitol. it's a natural sugar sub and cooks and tastes just like it. I use it to make cheesecake, with just a ground nut crust. also a good thing for a picnic. I'm making a lemon merange with it this weekend.

deviled eggs are always a safe bet too.

 
been doing that too darlin. I found a recipe for a carmalized onion and gorganzola quich...

that I want to make in the next few days. it looks yummy. I'll post if it's as good as it sounds smileys/smile.gif

 
Rec: Gazpacho

Someone posted this at Gail's. It's the one I use as it's delicious and easy to make. This would be great for a picnic - make the day before, then pour it into a thermos on the morning of the picnic. I use a very light olive oil for this. I don't think a child would like this (but you never know!) For a child: PB&J, some type of fun juice and gummy bears/cookies for dessert. If acceptable, use fun cutouts to make the sandwich.

Gazpacho

1 qt. Clamato juice
1 cup tomato juice
1/2 Cup peeled and chopped cucumber
1/3 cup thinly sliced green onions
1 Tbsp. olive oil
2 Tbsp. red wine vinegar
1 Tbsp. sugar
1 Tbsp. dill
1 or more crushed garlic clove
1/2 tsp. Tabasco Sauce
**************************
1 avocado
1/4 to 1/2 lb. small shrimp
salt and pepper to taste
Mix all and chill for one day. I usually chop avocado and serve some floating on top of the soup if the person wants.

 
Yes, I'm thinking Monet-esque picnics on the water, but we happen to be on the busiest salmon

fishing river in Alaska, the Kenai, and I don't think Monet painted anything reminiscent of King salmon run fishing on the Kenai. Combat fishing at it's best!

 
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