| Spring is such a fantastic season. Not only do the | | | | Pepper |
| flowers bloom and the grass turns bright green | | | | 2 Tbs. olive oil |
| but the weather is simply gorgeous, not too hot | | | | Directions |
| and never too cold. This is when we all come out | | | | Toss together the spinach leaves, salad greens |
| of our hibernation and start planning outdoor | | | | and other salad ingredients in a large bowl. For |
| activities. This is the perfect excuse to get some | | | | dressing, combine the orange juice, honey, |
| friends together on a sunny afternoon and have a | | | | mustard, poppy seeds and salt and pepper to |
| picnic. | | | | taste in a small bowl until well mixed. Slowly drizzle |
| Before you gather all your friends together, there | | | | in the olive oil, whisking constantly until the |
| are a few things we need to go over so you will | | | | dressing is mixed. Toss the dressing with the |
| be well prepared for this fun and joyous day. | | | | salad or serve on the side. |
| Here is a list to help you start planning the best | | | | Yield: 6 Servings |
| spring picnic. | | | | FRUIT DISHES |
| - Date: Obviously you are going to want to pick a | | | | **Fresh Fruit Salad** |
| day when all your guests can come and join in on | | | | Ingredients |
| the fun. Also make sure to check ahead on the | | | | Favorite combos: |
| weather forecast. I wouldn't try and check too | | | | Strawberries, Oranges, Pineapple and Kiwis |
| far in advance, the meteorologists can try to | | | | Strawberries, Blueberries, Raspberries, and |
| predict the weather, but there's never a 100% | | | | Blackberries in the summer |
| guarantee. Just keep your eyes open for any | | | | Oranges, Pineapple, Kiwi, Mango, Papaya, and Star |
| changes. | | | | fruit are nicely tropical and good with exoticfood |
| - Time: You want to schedule the picnic around | | | | like Pacific Fusion or Indian cuisine. |
| having enough daylight for food and activities. If | | | | Apples, Oranges, Grapes, and Bananas in the |
| you have it on a Saturday you can pick whatever | | | | winter |
| time you want for the picnic to start. A lot of | | | | Watermelon, Cantaloupe, and Honeydew Melon. |
| people don't have to wake up early on Sunday | | | | 6 C. of mixed fresh fruit |
| for work so none of your guests will feel pressed | | | | 1 C. of Simple Syrup (1 C. of sugar mixed with 1 |
| for time. However, if you decide to have the | | | | C. of water, brought to a boil, and simmered for |
| picnic on Sunday I suggest thinking about having | | | | 5 minutes) |
| your guests meet you around 11ish, that way | | | | Seasonings for the Syrup (such as a few |
| you will have the whole afternoon to eat and | | | | spoonfuls of Brandy or Liqueur, Lemon or Lime |
| enjoy the activities outside. | | | | Peel and Juice, or Ginger Julienne) |
| - Location: Nothing beats a great picnic in a big | | | | Garnish: |
| fantastic park. Usually parks have a special shaded | | | | A decoratively cut piece of fruit, candied fruit |
| picnic area for the public. If you have a park in | | | | peel, candied ginger, mint leaves, etc. |
| mind, go check it out before you start telling your | | | | Directions |
| friends to go there. Also try and find a park with | | | | Prepare the simple syrup. (We make it by the |
| a lot of grass area so once everyone is done | | | | quart and store it in a jar in the refrigerator.) If |
| eating you can play some fun outdoor activities. If | | | | you like, you can add seasoning to the syrup and |
| there will be children coming along, having a big | | | | let it soak up their flavorings for 60 minutes or |
| playground would be key. | | | | more, before adding the syrup to the fruit. Strain |
| - Invitations: A simple phone call would work for | | | | the syrup before adding it to the fruit. Cut up the |
| this type of party but if you decide to send out | | | | fruit in attractive pieces. Arrange the fruit in a |
| invitations check out some of these links below. | | | | large bowl (we like layers in a glass bowl, |
| Don't go out and buy invitations when you can | | | | especially well). Pour over the syrup and chill. |
| just spend a few minutes on the computer and | | | | POTATO SALADS |
| pick out some free printable cards to send out. | | | | **French Potato Salad** |
| American Evite | | | | Ingredients |
| - More than just the picnic basket | | | | 7 Potatoes, approx. 2 lbs |
| Though food is what's important at a picnic, you | | | | 1 tsp. Tarragon, chopped |
| can also plan on bringing games and planning | | | | 1/4 C. Onion, chopped |
| activities as well to keep your guests happy and | | | | 1/2 C. White wine, dry |
| having fun on this gorgeous spring day. Here are a | | | | 2 Tbs. Shallots, chopped |
| few items you should think about packing and | | | | 1/2 C. Olive oil |
| bringing with you to the park: | | | | 1/2 tsp. Garlic, chopped |
| Deck of cards and poker chips | | | | 2 Tbs. Wine vinegar |
| Football | | | | 1/4 C. Parsley, chopped |
| Whiffle ball and bat along with some plastic | | | | Pepper, freshly ground |
| baseball plates | | | | 1/4 tsp. Red hot pepper flakes |
| Frisbee | | | | Directions |
| Bocce Ball Set | | | | Rinse and drain the potatoes but do not peel |
| You should also have a list made ahead of time | | | | them. Put them in a large saucepan. Add cold |
| with what supplies you need so you forget | | | | water to cover and bring to the boil. Simmer for |
| anything. You don't want to get to the picnic site | | | | about 20 minutes, or until tender. Cut the |
| and realize your forgot something. Here is a | | | | potatoes lengthwise in half. Cut each half into thin |
| starter list for you: | | | | slices. Put the potatoes in a bowl and add the |
| Sun Screen | | | | remaining ingredients, including pepper. Stir gently. |
| Garbage Bags | | | | Yield: 10 servings |
| Plastic Utensils (bring extra) and paper or plastic | | | | **Red and White Potato Salad** |
| plates | | | | Ingredients |
| Paper Napkins | | | | 2 lb. small new red potatoes (about 12) |
| Paper Towels | | | | 1/4 C. red wine vinegar |
| Corkscrew (if drinking wine) | | | | 1 Tbs. Dijon mustard |
| Bottle Opener (for the beer drinkers) | | | | 1/2 tsp. salt |
| Insect Repellent | | | | 1 Tbs. finely chopped fresh dill or 1/4 tsp. dried dill |
| Hand Sanitizer | | | | weedfreshly ground pepper, to taste |
| Cooler for beverages and food | | | | 1 clove garlic, minced or pressed |
| Now for the important part, the food. Since most | | | | 1/2 C. olive oil |
| parks don't supply you will a grill, assume you | | | | 6 green onions, thinly sliced |
| don't have one for this day. And considering you | | | | 1/4 C. chopped parsley |
| will be having a pretty decent amount of people | | | | 1/4 C. mayonnaise |
| coming, you will want to be able to socialize rather | | | | 1/4 C. sour cream |
| than cook all day. The easiest thing you can do is | | | | 1 C. sliced radishes |
| buy an assortment of deli meats along with | | | | Hard-cooked egg slices, optional for garnish |
| French bread rolls and lots of condiments. Not only | | | | Fresh dill sprigs for garnish |
| is this easy to pack but gives you more time to | | | | Directions |
| prepare and make some of the side dishes. | | | | Place potatoes in a large pot, add salted water to |
| SIDE DISHES | | | | cover, and bring to the boil over high heat. |
| **Spinach Dip** | | | | Reduce heat to medium and cook until potatoes |
| Ingredients | | | | are tender, about 25 to 30 minutes. Drain and |
| 1 frozen pkg. chopped spinach | | | | slice while warm. Place potatoes in a large bowl. In |
| 1 loaf sheepherder's bread | | | | a small bowl, mix vinegar, mustard, salt, dill, |
| 1 C. sour cream | | | | pepper and garlic. Gradually whisk in oil until well |
| 1 C. mayonnaise | | | | combined. Pour oil mixture over warm potatoes, |
| 1 envelope dry vegetable soup mix | | | | stirring gently to coat. Cover and refrigerate at |
| 3 green onions, chopped (optional) | | | | least 2 hours. Gently mix in onion and parsley. |
| 1 small can water chestnuts, chopped (optional) | | | | Blend mayonnaise and sour cream until smooth, |
| Directions | | | | and fold into salad. Cover and refrigerate from 1 |
| Put the frozen spinach in a colander and run | | | | to 3 hours. Just before serving, gently mix in |
| water over it until it is thawed out (or put it in the | | | | radishes. Garnish with egg slices and dill sprigs, if |
| refrigerator ahead of time to thaw it out). While | | | | using. |
| you are doing this, cut the top of the bread off | | | | PASTA SALADS |
| to make a bowl. Chop up the top of the bread | | | | **Pasta and Fresh Fruit** |
| and save it to use for the dip. Scoop out the | | | | Ingredients |
| bottom part of the bread to make a place for | | | | 1 1/2 C. uncooked spiral pasta (plain, not |
| the dip. Wring out the spinach with your hands to | | | | tri-colored) |
| get out all the water. Mix all the ingredients | | | | 1 8 oz. can pineapple chunks |
| together (except the bread) and put in the | | | | 1 8 oz. carton peach yogurt |
| refrigerator for at least 4 hours. Fill the bread | | | | 2 Tbs. sour cream |
| bowl with the dip and serve with the bread, | | | | 1 1/2 C. cantaloupe, cubed |
| crackers or vegetables. | | | | 1 C. seedless grapes, halved |
| **Vegetable Dip** | | | | 1 1/2 C. fresh strawberries, sliced |
| Ingredients | | | | Directions |
| 1 C. Sour Cream | | | | Cook pasta according to package directions; rinse |
| 1 C. Hellmann's Mayonnaise | | | | in cold water and drain. Cool completely. Drain |
| 1 tsp. Seasoned Salt | | | | pineapple, reserving 2 Tbs. juice; set aside. In a |
| 1 tsp. Parsley Flakes | | | | small bowl, combine the yogurt, sour cream and |
| 1 tsp. Dill Weed | | | | reserved pineapple juice until smooth; cover and |
| 1 tsp. Onion Flakes | | | | refrigerate. |
| Directions | | | | In a large bowl, combine pasta, pineapple, |
| Combine all ingredients. For Spinach Dip: add 1 (10 | | | | cantaloupe and grapes. Just before serving, stir in |
| oz.) pkg. frozen spinach, defrosted, drained & | | | | strawberries and pour yogurt mixture over top of |
| squeezed out excess liquid with paper towels | | | | salad. |
| LEAF SALADS | | | | Tip: To cut down on calories and fat, you can opt |
| **Tomato, Mozzarella and Basil Vinaigrette** | | | | to use non-fat yogurt and sour cream. You can |
| Ingredients | | | | add your favorite fruits to this salad and make it |
| 3 lg. ripe tomatoes, sliced | | | | even more colorful and tasty. |
| 1 lb. mozzarella, sliced | | | | ** Italian Pasta Salad** |
| 1/2 C. olive oil | | | | Ingredients |
| 2 Tbs. wine vinegar | | | | 16 oz. Rotini pasta |
| 2 Tbs. finely chopped fresh basil | | | | 8 oz. can of tomato sauce |
| Salt & pepper to taste | | | | 1 C. Italian dressing |
| Directions | | | | 2 Tbs. dried basil |
| In a large serving dish, alternate slices of | | | | 2 Tbs. dried oregano |
| tomatoes and mozzarella cheese. Sprinkle with oil, | | | | 1 C. sliced mushrooms |
| vinegar and basil. Season with salt and pepper. | | | | 5 Roma tomatoes, coarsely chopped |
| Serves 6 people. | | | | 1 medium red onion, chopped |
| **Spring Salad** | | | | 2 1/4 sliced ripe olives, drained |
| Ingredients | | | | 1 large cucumber, coarsely chopped |
| For Salad: | | | | Directions |
| 3 C. washed baby spinach leaves | | | | Cook and drain pasta, rinse with cold water. Mix |
| 3 C. washed and torn salad greens | | | | tomato sauce, dressing, basil, and oregano. Add |
| 1 C. sliced strawberries | | | | remaining ingredients and toss. |
| 2 kiwi fruit, peeled and sliced | | | | When it comes to beverages, what you need to |
| 1/4 C. sliced almonds | | | | decide first off is whether you are supplying all |
| 1/4 C. sliced mushrooms | | | | the beverages or if you are asking your guests |
| 1/4 C. snow pea pods | | | | to bring something. |
| 1/4 C. mandarin orange slices. | | | | Once this is decided, make sure there is enough |
| 1 medium red onion, thinly sliced | | | | pop (diet and regular), water, beer and wine to go |
| For Dressing: | | | | around. |
| 1/4 C. orange juice | | | | Most importantly, right before you get to the |
| 2 Tbs. honey | | | | picnic site, go to a nearby gas station and stock |
| 1 tsp. Dijon mustard | | | | up on plenty of ice to keep all your beverages |
| 1/2 tsp. poppy seeds | | | | and food (if needed to be refrigerated) cold. |
| Salt | | | | |