Picnic Menus

Picnic menus can include a wide variety of delicious recipes. Whether you are planning a traditional outdoor meal or an elegant outdoor feast, finding foods that compliment each other is the key to success. Begin with a favorite recipe and build your picnic menu ideas from there.

A nice salad makes excellent picnic fare. Salads are versatile and there are countless options available.

• Seafood or chicken salad with a light mayonnaise dressing served with grapefruit and mandarin oranges
• Freshly baked croissants
• Avocado dip served with crackers
• Lime meringue cookies
• Raspberry lemonade

Quiche is a delightful picnic food that travels well. This dish can be served without reheating and it is a blank canvas for adding flavor.

• Quiche with Jarlsberg cheese, cherry tomatoes, shallots and bacon.
• Grilled asparagus
• Artichoke tarts made with artichokes, eggs, cheddar, onion, garlic and breadcrumbs
• Macadamia and white chocolate cookies
• Sauvignon Blanc or white grape juice

A great sandwich begins with great bread. Opt for freshly baked bread from your local bakery or use your favorite bread recipe.

• Cold roast beef served on sourdough bread with horseradish sauce, sliced tomato and romaine lettuce
• Small red potatoes stuffed with sour cream and bacon topped with grated cheddar cheese and chives
• Corn and black bean salad
• White batter cupcakes with chocolate frosting
• Amber ale or ginger ale

Sandwich wraps are light and they are a great choice for healthy picnic menus.

• Shrimp wrap with fresh spinach and hummus
• Nuts and dried fruit trail mix
• Red and yellow peppers roasted with cherry tomatoes, garlic and basil
• Watermelon balls served with toasted oats, pecans and honey
• Sparkling water with lemon slices

Crêpes may be savory or sweet. These culinary treasures may be enjoyed warm or cool and they promise not to make a mess.

• Crêpes filled with feta cheese and spinach adorned with tomato rose and fresh dill
• Meatballs simmered in ketchup and brown sugar glaze
• Three bean salad
• Gelatin and fresh berries prepared in bite-sized decorative molds
• Spanish Cava or cranberry juice and soda water

A picnic breakfast is a wonderful way to start the day. Foods served in the morning can be perfectly suitable for picnicking.

• Egg, sausage and cheese biscuit sandwich
• Cranberry and orange muffins
• Fresh fruit with dip made with cream cheese, marshmallow cream and orange juice
• Coffee and orange juice

Bocconcini is semi-soft cheese that pairs very well with homegrown tomatoes and basil with a dash of balsamic vinaigrette.

• Bocconcini, tomato and basil salad with balsamic vinaigrette
• Ciabatta bread with pesto, prosciutto, sweet roasted red peppers, fresh tomato and mozzarella
• Grilled polenta (cornmeal)
• Biscotti
• Pinot Grigio or iced tea

Panna cotta is Italian custard that may be served with ingredients like fruit, chocolate, honey or cinnamon.

• Pâté served on whole grain crackers
• Roasted chicken sandwiches on focaccia bread with goat cheese spread and sundried tomatoes
• Zucchini and pine nut salad with garlic and olive oil dressing
• Panna cotta served in reusable jars with orange jelly and chocolate shavings
• Sparkling white wine or sparkling grape juice

Explore types of exotic fruit to add to your panna cotta recipes and to your picnic menus.