Weeknight Summer Picnics

Want to dine al fresco with minimal effort? Try one of these three tasty, quick, and easily transportable dinner menus.

By Melissa Vaughan

Barbecued sausages and meats

Nissan stainless-steel wide-mouth bottle, $35, Thermos, Amazon.com. Disposable bamboo plates, $7.50 for eight, and utensils, $8 for eight, Greenfeet.com. Melamine lunch box, $28, Pearl River.

Recipe Index
Our complete list of meals and snacks you and your kids will love
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Light Treats


Chilled Avocado Cucumber Soup

Serves 2

Shrimp Salad Rolls

Serves 12

Carrot and Apple Slaw

Serves 4

Coconut Blondies

Serves 32



Southern Comfort


Cranberry Pineapple Punch

Serves 20

Baked Chicken with Tangy Barbecue Sauce

Serves 6 to 8

Orzo, Pine Nut, and Feta Salad

Serves 8

Whoopie Pies

Serves 8


Brunch Alfresco


Herbed Ham and Cheddar Frittata

Serves 2

Roasted New Potato Salad with Sage Leaves

Serves 10

Fresh Fruit Salad with Honey, Mint, and Lime Syrup

Serves 6

Menu Tip: To store the frittata overnight, remove it from the pan and let it cool completely. Then wrap it in plastic wrap and refrigerate. If you're making the potato salad the night before, cool the potatoes a minimum of 1/2 hour. This will minimize the amount of olive oil they absorb and will keep the salad moist.



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