What could be more fun than a gorgeous picnic on a glorious day? Yet, all too often the typical, heavy picnic fare of hamburgers, hotdogs, white flour buns, mayo-laden salads and sugary sweets can leave you feeling stuffed, bloated and generally zapped of energy.
So, what’s the fix? A vegan picnic! With a few simple steps, you can plan a delicious meal with a variety of healthy, plant-based foods that will leave you feeling refreshed and well nourished. Simply follow these four steps:
- Decide on fresh and simple recipes so you don’t have to spend a lot of time in the kitchen.
- Take along a cold beverage such as Peach Berry Iced Tea, Blueberry Herb Lemonade Punch or Strawberry-Lemon Soda.
- Plan to serve fresh fruit and vegetables, whole grains and legumes, or easy-to-pack sandwiches and a healthy, sweet treat.
- Round out the menu with Sunny Hummus with Dippers or organic corn chips with either Superfast Guac or Simply Delicious Homemade Hummus for dipping.
Fruits & Veggies
A summer picnic isn’t a picnic without fresh fruit! Bring along berries, sliced stone fruit, melons or a fruit salad tossed with a little lemon or lime juice to reduce browning from oxidation. Ideas for dishes with fruit include:
- Red, White and Blue Fruit Salad with strawberries, blueberries, and mint
- Melon Ambrosia, a wonderful vegan spin on the classic version typically made with cream or sour cream and marshmallows
- Minty Melon Salad seasoned with lime and chili powder
Add a platter of baby carrots, cucumbers and bell peppers or a leafy green salad with light vinaigrette. Both Strawberry Balsamic Dressing and No-Oil Balsamic Dressing are wonderful on salads or used as a dip for fresh-cut or lightly steamed veggies.
Legumes
Legumes provide quality plant protein and fiber:
- Sonoma Tofu Salad and Mango Miso Tofu Salad are delightful on their own, scooped over leafy greens, or stuffed into whole grain pita bread.
- Cherry Lentil Salad blends sweet cherries with lentils, green onions and basil.
- Black Bean Salad with Avocado Lime Dressing delivers a burst of tangy lime.
- Pinto Bean Salad is another delicious vegan salad made with tomatoes, cucumbers and red peppers.
- Mediterranean Crunch Salad features garbanzo beans, kale and fresh herbs.
