Summer Picnic Menu

picniconlakeflickr — A picnic on the lake (Photo Credit: Flickr.com)

Summer is upon us. It’s time for weekend barbecues, block parties, and pool events. What about an old-fashioned summer picnic? Pack up a picnic basket for two or for twenty.

Be sure to take along a picnic blanket and some citronella spray or candles to keep the insects away from your feast.

Take a look at some scrumptious suggestions for my Summer Picnic Menu. Offer with my Simple Iced Tea, or take along a bottle of wine or champagne, and some chilled beer and sodas.

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From the kitchen of A Food Lover’s Delight….

Summer Picnic Menu

What’s a picnic without deviled eggs? Try my Deviled Eggs Mom-Style. These are the deviled eggs that I grew up on.

Deviled Eggs Mom-Style (Photo Credit: Adroit Ideals)

And everyone loves My Favorite Guacamole. Make a large batch of guacamole and serve with tortilla chips or a veggie tray.

My favorite creamy Guacamole served with crispy Tortilla Chips (Photo Credit: Adroit Ideals)

My Bleu Cheese Dressing makes a fabulous thick dip for garden vegetables.

Serve Bleu Cheese Dressing as a dip along with a plate of garden vegetables (Photo Credit: Adroit Ideals)

Since it’s summer, there’s nothing more refreshing than a chilled soup. My Tomato Basil Soup takes advantage of summer tomatoes and fresh basil. Serve it chilled in a cup for sipping.

Sippable Tomato Basil Soup for a Party! (Photo Credit: Adroit Ideals)

My healthy Colorful Chopped Salad is a great choice that travels well. Serve chilled or at room temperature.

Colorful Chopped Salad with kale, tomatoes, roasted corn, carrots, celery, herbs, and more (Photo Credit: Adroit Ideals)

The most popular recipe on A Food Lover’s Delight is my Dill Potato Salad with Greek Yogurt Dressing. Use fresh dill from your garden or the farmers’ market.

Dill Potato Salad with Greek Yogurt Dressing! (Photo Credit: Adroit Ideals)

Another salad that travels well is my Citrus Shrimp Couscous Salad. Make this salad the night before so the flavors can meld and enhance. Serve chilled. You could make little individual salads in glass Mason jars for easy serving.

Chilled Citrus Shrimp Salad topped with Toasted Pine Nuts is a tasty summer dish (Photo Credit: Adroit Ideals)

Sockeye Salmon Burgers: Easy sandwiches that you can make ahead and serve chilled with lettuce and tomato.

Salmon burger served with lettuce, tomato, and mayo. Onion rings on the side. (Photo Credit: Adroit Ideals)

Offer the chilled Sockeye Salmon Burgers with The Best Tartar Sauce or a garlic aioli or another of my Flavored Mayonnaises.

Flavored Mayonnaises - Honey Mustard, Roasted Red Pepper, and Truffle. (Photo Credit: Adroit Ideals) — Flavored Mayonnaises – Honey Mustard, Roasted Red Pepper, and Truffle. (Photo Credit: Adroit Ideals)

A quesadilla that’s far tastier the next day is my Smoked Pork Quesadilla with Green Chiles. Make several the day before and chill them. Offer some jarred chipotle salsa or my fresh Tomato Salsa for dipping.

Smoked Pork and Green Chile Quesadilla served with Chipotle Salsa (Photo Credit: Adroit Ideals)

Tomato Salsa (Photo Credit: Adroit Ideals)

For dessert, try my fabulous Chocolate Chip Brownies! Use your favorite chocolate chips and feel free to double the amount. Slather with Nutella for extra decadence.