Picnic ideas

[medako]

Now that the weather is warming up and the skies have been clear as glass, I'm wanting to put together a little "romantic" picnic for myself and my husband. We haven't been out on a "date" in a long time, so I'm wanting to do something kinda special.

I was thinking of an after-dark kind of thing, where we can go out, eat/snack, and look at the stars. Anyone have some good ideas for snack/finger type foods that are easy to put together, but still yummy?

[Mama Mangia]

By the way - your little one is absolutely precious!!! You are so blessed!!!

You say you want simple - the simplest would be to get some of your favorite deli meats and cheeses, chunk some cheese and cut some in "sticks" and wrap ham or salami around the cheese. Add some peppers, olives, pickes and maybe a few crackers, bagel slices, etc. And don't forget to take some strawberries and grapes! Chocolate covered strawberries would be great and you can also chocolate coat the grapes!

Something like that could take you minutes to prepare.

Or you can go for something like - cold southern fried chicken; make early in the day and refrigerate after it is all cooked.

Or make "kabobs" using fruits and veggies, olives, cheese, chunked deli meats.

What about a nice big tummy filling hoagie/sub-type sandwich? And maybe some chips to go along with it.

I dont' think you're really going to want to clean up much of a mess!?!

There really is a lot you can do - it would depend on what you like to eat.

I'm not too big on eating outside at night - I attrack all the mosquitos and then they are feasting on me! LOL and I don't like them little varmints in my food! But I am a bug magnet at night!!!

[Mama Mangia]

1/2 c. dairy sour cream
1/2 c. mayonnaise
1/4 tsp. dry mustard
24 slices cold boiled ham
6 slices American cheese, each cutinto 4 lengthwise strips
24 stuffed olives

Combine dairy sour cream, mayonnaise and mustard. Lay ham slice fat. Spread with some of the sour cream mixture. Lay strip of American cheese on one end of ham slice. Roll jelly roll fashion. Fasten with toothpick topped with olive. Makes 24 rolls.




1 lb package deli ham (the long rectangle shape)
1 package cream cheese. softened
1/2 package ranch dressing mix

Mix the softened cream cheese with the ranch dressing mix. Taste. If it's not enough flavor, add more ranch mix, some garlic powder, or original "Ms. Dash". Take one slice of ham. Pat it dry. Spread some cream cheese mixture on the ham. Starting at one narrow end, roll up the ham all the way accross. Once all the ham is rolled, chill it. After about 30 minutes, cut the rolls into slices. They should look like creamy little pinwheels.



8 6 inch flour tortillas
1 1/2 cups cooked and cubed chicken
2 oz shredded cheese
3/4 cup thick and chunky salsa

Mix chicken, cheese and salsa. Warm tortillas until pliable in 400 F
oven or 5 seconds each in microwave. Dampen one side of tortilla with
water and place wet side down. Spoon on chicken mixture. Fold to hold
in filling. Spray baking dish with nonstick cooking spray. Lay
chimichangas, seam side down on baking dish. Bake for 15 minutes.



1 1/4 cups crushed tortilla chips
1 1-ounce package Lawry's Taco Spices and Seasonings
1 pound boneless chicken breasts
OR
24 chicken drumettes
Salsa, optional
Sour cream, optional

In large plastic bag, combine chips and Taco Spices and Seasoning; shake. Dampen chicken with water, shake off excess. Put chicken in bag and shake to coat with chips. Arrange in greased shallow baking pan. Bake, uncovered, in preheated 350ºF oven 40 to 45 minutes. Serve with salsa and sour cream, if desired.

Makes 4 servings or 24 appetizers

[medako]

thanks for the great ideas! You're right though, I don't want much cleanup.

I'm hoping the the bugs won't be out much since it's still kinda early in the season. I'll probably get a couple of citronella candles though, to try to keep the few there are at a distance.

I'll keep you posted as to what I eventually decide on.

[medako]

By the way - your little one is absolutely precious!!! You are so blessed!!!

Thank you so much. My lil punkin is the cutest thing ever, and the center of his mommy & daddy's world.

[lcsamano]

Those are really good ideas Mama. I never thought about having a picnic date. That would be a really good date. The moon light and stars.

I think finger foods would be great so you don't have to carry alot of stuff. Fruits, cheeses, crackers would be a good snack and very easy to clean up.

[Mama Mangia]

Years ago - my zany friends and I used to do stupid things!

Come-as-you are parties - only - NO NOTICE! Someone would show up at your door and drag you out the way your were - no time for anything! Got to the point we stayed dressed most the time and we had to be careful what we were "comfy" in!

Also - picnics - in any weather - snow storms included - and after midnight.
Nothing like dragging people out of bed after midnight for a picnic! Those were nice because the bugs were smarter than us - they went to sleep!

I think of those rickety old clunkers I used to drive and the thought of driving in my nightgown and slippers and robe to a party! I was lucky the car didn't break down!

But we had a lot of fun and we enjoyed doing it.

[medako]

Target has strawberry and fruit tray coupons this week. I might see if their fruit is any good and plan a fruit menu. Maybe a fruit dip or some sort (or something like cool whip) and maybe chocolate syrup.

Guess I should start figuring it out, huh?

[medako]

Also - picnics - in any weather - snow storms included - and after midnight.
Nothing like dragging people out of bed after midnight for a picnic! Those were nice because the bugs were smarter than us - they went to sleep!

hmmm...now there's an idea! How much fun would it be for me to get up in the middle of the night (hubby wouldn't notice) and set up a picnic outside...then go wake him up to join me. hmmm...

[Mama Mangia]

Target has strawberry and fruit tray coupons this week. I might see if their fruit is any good and plan a fruit menu. Maybe a fruit dip or some sort (or something like cool whip) and maybe chocolate syrup.

Guess I should start figuring it out, huh?

1 (8oz.) pkg. cream cheese, softened
1 cup packed light brown sugar
2-3 Heath toffee bars, crushed
Combine softened cream cheese & brown sugar. Stir in desired amount of crushed toffee, & refridgerate. Serve with assorted fruit.


1 cup milk
1 small package vanilla instant pudding (even sugar free)
1 cup sour cream
1 cup cool whip

Combine and enjoy.



1 large pkg. banana-flavored instant pudding/pie filling
1 container of thawed frozen whipped topping (like Cool Whip)
1 c. milk

Mix pudding powder with milk. Add completely thawed frozen topping and mix well.
Refrigerate until ready to serve.




here's a few for fruit if you would like to try one of them!