Things You'll Need:
- Menu
- Crock Pots
- Picnic Foods
- Ice
- Paper Plates, Tableware and plastic cups
-
Step 1
Pull out the crock pot. If you don't want to be stuck grilling while everyone else is enjoying themselves then why not put an inexpensive cut of meat in the crock pot. Simple picnic foods for the crock pot include pulled pork sandwiches and beef barbecue. Just cook an inexpensive roast on low with your favorite barbecue sauce until tender. Remove, shred with two forks, return to the crock pot and keep warm until ready to serve on your favorite rolls.
-
Step 2
Serve simple side dishes. Quick and easy foods include salt potatoes, which are simply small potatoes boiled in salted water with the skins on and served with melted butter. Other simple sides include coleslaw (purchase the pre-shredded cabbage to save time) baked beans and even crock pot macaroni and cheese, which takes just minutes to put together. Check the resource section below for a simple crock pot macaroni and cheese recipe.
-
Step 3
Cut up fresh produce. No need to make fancy salads. Just cut up an assortment of fruit and fresh vegetables with dip. An easy way to serve watermelon is to cut in quarters lengthwise and slice for watermelon triangles that are easy to eat without the mess.
-
Step 4
Keep desserts simple. Cookies and brownies are simple picnic foods. If you have your picnic planned weeks in advance why not bake some cookies ahead of time and freeze them. Then just take them out of the freezer right before the picnic and they should be thawed by dessert.
-
Step 5
Brew some tea. Nothing says Summer and picnics like refreshing iced tea. Place tea bags in a large glass measuring cup, add boiling water and steep for about 5 minutes. Pour in a pitcher, add water and ice to make 2 quarts and add sugar and lemon if desired. If you don't like your tea too sweet add 1/4 cup to 1/2 cup of sugar.
Sun tea is popular in the summer but research shows that brewing tea in the sun can actually be a breeding ground for bacteria. While many have been brewing tea this way for years it's best to play it safe and use boiling water.
