Picnic foods

[arista]

I just came from lunch picnic and just thought it would be interesting to see what are some of people's favorites. Mine were the chicken and mac and cheese.

[tempest]

Hot dogs, hamburgers, salads, and pickles a must. Unless of course there is no grill at the park. Second plan would be salads, and cold cut sandwiches. And a George Clooney look alike

[Bryan James]

I'm not extremely social, but I do a few picnics a year.

I always bring a large cooler 3/4 filled with ice (three 8 lb. bags is enough). It is amazing how many people bring mayonnaise-based dishes to those things and then put them on the table with everything else...and they sit. In the sun. For hours.

I'm no Howard Hughes, but I do have an issue about Mayo and the Sun.

Once the Socialites place their offerings, I heft the cooler (removable lid) onto the table, and put what needs to be kept cold on top of the ice. As much as I can, at least.

Only once have I been questioned. I'm not naming names, but a ditzy Beaufort bitch yelled at me for ruining the garnish on her (mayo-based) potato salad.

I just said, "Your husband is rich, right?"

"He certainly is, most indeed! Everyone knows that!"

"Does his insurance policy cover negligent food poisoning?"

That was the end of that. She has never spoken to me again (she won't even look me in the eye), and I consider that a benefit.

Last thing I brought to a picnic was (chilled on ice) a Thai-bird chile boiled shrimp and edamame salad with a yogurt (light) curry sauce.

Eleven women (and three men) asked me for the recipe.

I cook like I write, so they all left with vagueries. I had no idea what I tossed together...it just seemed like a good idea at the time.

How the hell'd this post turn into a short story? MORAL: stay away from mayonnaise at picnics.

BJS

[mudpuppy]

Ha! I too was going to mention NOT to bring mayonnaise based foods to a picnic. Its even mentioned in The Joy of Cooking, under the potato and pasta salad section. A nice alternative is to make your potato or pasta salad with pesto instead - yummy!

One thing I like at a picnic is a bucket of fried chicken. I don't eat fried chicken that often, so its really a treat with some potato salad, maybe a cucumber tomato salad. If there is a grill going I like to grill some corn on the cob. Hot dogs and burgers are always delish. Fruit salad is always good, a nice way to cool off and stay hydrated.

[Todash]

Pasta salad - I usually start with a boxed one and add cheese cubes, black olives, more mayo, etc.

Jello cake - White cake baked in a 9x13 pan, then poked with a fork, then just-made (liquid, not set up) Jell-O (jelly to you Brits) poured over the holes, frosted with whipped topping, and chilled.

And of course, deviled eggs.

[Srbo]

Budweiser.

Don`t care the rest.

[Kim L.]

.

And of course, deviled eggs.

Got to have the deviled eggs or it's not a picnic. Iced tea, too.

This thread is making me so hungry!

[michal]

I only eat children, and innocent Stephen King's readers... ha ha ha!!!!

[Todash]

Ha! I too was going to mention NOT to bring mayonnaise based foods to a picnic. Its even mentioned in The Joy of Cooking, under the potato and pasta salad section. A nice alternative is to make your potato or pasta salad with pesto instead - yummy!

Psssh. If my mom's complete disregard for food safety didn't kill me as a child, I figure nothing will. Bring on the mayo! (Seriously, if you bring something tasty it will be gone long before anything can grow on it; besides, commercial mayonnaise is really acidic and specifically designed to not harbor bacteria.)

Caveat: homemade mayonnaise is basically eggs and oil. Unpasteurized raw eggs + time + heat = gutbusting unpleasantness. Stick with Hellmann's.

[staropeace]

Potato salad made with Miracle Whip dressing...longer standing time than mayo....but if you keep your salads in the cooler till eating....it is all fine.
Roast chicken and sandwiches. Devilled eggs. A big chocolate cake with a cherry on top.