The Perfect Picnic Menu

Picnic Pic.jpg

        To wrap up your summer right, head down to the nearest park with your family to enjoy a meal outdoors. Bring your Frisbee, a baseball, a favorite game, yummy food and enjoy a picnic. Picnics are a great way to spend time with your loved ones. Here is a suggested menu for your meal.

v     Raspberry Lemonade:

Ingredients:
1 cup sugar
1 cup of water

¾ cup raspberries; pureed and pushed through a fine mesh sieve; plus more whole berries for garnish if desired
1 cup fresh lemon juice (equals close to 8 lemons)
4-6 cups cold water (this will vary depending on your taste)

Directions:

1. Make a simple syrup by combining the sugar with 1 cup of water in a saucepan. Place over medium heat and heat until the sugar in completely dissolved; swirl the pan occasionally. Let cool.
2. Measure 3/4 of fresh raspberries and puree them in your blender or food processor.
3. Push the raspberry puree through a fine mesh sieve to separate the seeds from the pulp.
4. Once the simple syrup has cooled, combine the raspberry puree, simple syrup and lemon juice in a large pitcher.
5. Add 4-6 cups of cold water. The amount of water you use will depend on your taste, so add as little or as much as you want to achieve your perfect sweet/tart balance.

http://www.mybakingaddiction.com/raspberry-lemonade/

v     Chicken Salad Sandwich:

Ingredients:

4 cans of chicken breast
Salt
Pepper
Mayo
Chopped apples
Pecans
Chopped celery

Directions:

1. Drain chicken
2. Add all other ingredients

v     Potato Salad:

Ingredients:

8 medium potatoes, cooked and diced
1 1/2 cups mayonnaise
2 tablespoons cider vinegar
2 tablespoons sugar
1 tablespoon yellow mustard
1 teaspoon salt
1 teaspoon garlic powder
1/2 teaspoon pepper
2 celery ribs, sliced
1 cup onion, minced
5 hard-boiled eggs
paprika

Directions:

1. Boil peeled potatoes in salted water until done. Cool to room temperature.
2. Place diced potatoes in large bowl.
3. Mix mayonnaise, cider vinegar, sugar, mustard, salt, garlic powder, and pepper in another bowl.
4. Add to potatoes.
5. Add celery and onions and mix well.
6. Stir in eggs.
7. Sprinkle a little paprika on top.

http://www.food.com/recipe/classic-potato-salad-22747

v     Summer Fruit Salad:

Ingredients:

1 cup fresh strawberries, hulled and quartered lengthwise
1 cup fresh blueberries
1 cup fresh blackberries
1 cup fresh raspberries
1 teaspoon white sugar

Directions:

1. Mix together.

http://allrecipes.com/recipe/berry-fruit-salad/detail.aspx

v     White Chocolate and Orange Cookies