All time favorite is chicken salad. For a picnic I would process it with a little white wine, mayo (optional but we like it) to the paté stage, adding tarragon, salt and cracked pepper and eat with crackers. If you want to be fancy, chill it then form it into a ball or cylindrical and then roll in crushed almonds or pecans.

For the rest I would have separate fruit and veg kabobs, easy to eat. Maybe small celery sticks piped with pimento cheese or Boursin.

For dessert.... cookies or pots de creme? Maybe pots de creme and tuiles?

Gazpacho is always refreshing.

I think it sounds fun!

We attend outdoor concerts at The Fort Worth Botanical Gardens every year; everyone brings food and drinks. I started a folder of new-to-me recipes a while back, for this year, but the concerts have been canceled. So I haven’t made any of these. I was going to choose a couple to add to the usual snacks we bring.

I’m just sharing everything in my file so far, maybe something will look interesting. :)

http://www.southernliving.com/recipes/shaved-cucumber-salad-pickled-blackberries-recipe

https://www.homesicktexan.com/2017/08/south-padre-shrimp-ceviche.html

https://www.homesicktexan.com/2011/03/ancho-chile-shrimp-quesadillas.html

https://www.homesicktexan.com/2020/04/chalupas-poblanas.html

http://www.southernliving.com/syndication/smoky-chicken-panini-basil-mayo

http://www.southernliving.com/recipes/chicken-salad-swiss-cheese-puffs

https://karistabennett.com/2016/10/11/retro-crab-salad-with-toast-points/

https://smittenkitchen.com/2010/06/zucchini-and-ricotta-galette/

https://www.aldi.us/en/recipes/better-for-you/vegetarian/corn-and-pepper-empanada-with-avocado-and-red-pepper-cream/

https://www.foodnetwork.com/recipes/ree-drummond/mexican-macaroni-salad-2524887

I am a pretty big fan of cold noodles with grilled chicken. I have been known to pack them into Chinese takeout style boxes for our picnics. I tend to up the veg component of all recipes I make only using the printed recipe as a guide. Two guides I like from a flavor profile perspective are:(the first two links are NYT and behind paywall- sorry )

David Tanis' Cold Rice Noodles with Grilled Chicken and Peanut Sauce

Sam Sifton's Takeout Style Sesame Noodles

Of course I also love Asian style fresh rolls.

My family is big fans of thisSwiss Chard Torta which you make in a springform pan, and I think a small individual one would make a lovely picnic component. The crust is breadcrumbs so not heavy at all.

Of course if you want to go the salad route, one I am currently enjoying is soft lettuce with peas, asparagus, and shaved Asiago with a lemon vinaigrette.

I made this pasta salad on Sat., and DD and I just finished the leftover today. It was delish!

https://www.realsimple.com/food-recipes/browse-all-recipes/edamame-pasta-salad

I really like https://www.allrecipes.com/recipe/14260/mediterranean-lentil-salad/ I think I served it to you and your DH and you seemed to enjoy it...it's a wonderful side dish for whatever main you might like. I also love gingered carrots.

Sweet potato salad, for the gourmet touch. Greek style potato salad. I once had a potato salad from Wegmans with corn and a cilantro dressing, that was good too. Tsatsiki. Sangria. Tabouli or some type of cous cous cold salad. I also love a good chopped salad with fresh garden veggies, like cukes, tomatoes and green peppers, but only when home grown tomatoes are in season.

Every picnic segment Ina Garten does uses takeout chinese food containers-- so I would start there! Or something similarly cute.

Not sure any of these ideas are gourmet.. but i would be happy to have them in a picnic!

I am a fan of chicken salad-- pretty much any variation (except those that include grapes!). I love chicken salad inside a half a cantaloupe-- it is so good and fragrant-- though i guess pretty 70s retro lol.

This is a chicken salad I keep meaning to try: David Tanis' Asparagus and Chicken Salad With Ginger Dressing .. i think this chicken salad and some lovely vegetarian spring rolls would be a perfect picnic!

Quiche is always a winner with me too-- maybe take it to the next level of adorbs with a little savory tart..

What about ceviche? I know you don't eat shellfish but you could do halibut ceviche

Lots of options for handhelds-- samosas, empanadas, spanakopita, bahn mi ...

Honestly, if it was food for just me, I'd nom on a big Italian sandwich!

This would be my lunch: Cold salmon BLT with aioli sauce on a brioche roll. A light Side salad of greens with a lemon vinaigrette. a handful of your favorite fancy potato chips. A white wine spritzer or glass of Prosecco. Boysenberry sorbet and a few jules something or other wafers. And don’t forget a crisp French linen napkin.

Bonus points for a cute way to carry it all. (I just have no idea how, though )

Ploughman's lunch

lunch

Here's a link to the "Latin Red Potato and Corn Salad" from Wegman's. I think I am going to make it for tonight's "Taco Tuesday" meal.
https://shop.wegmans.com/recipes/3962

Easy peasy refreshing chicken salad that I make during the summer; chicken, ranch dressing and green grapes sliced in half and then chill it. Usually pair it with some good bread, great in the summer.

Thank you all! Still deciding but got great dinner ideas too! SueB, question about the edamame pasta salad. Did you do the lemon as suggested? Sounds like a bit much

Fun idea Mtn. How about souvlaki with a Greek watermelon salad?

Another question. I like gazpacho, but my recipes are either traditional tomato gazpacho or watermelon gazpacho, but I like to make those later in the summer when those ingredients are at their best. What about green gazpachos; anyone have one they like?

Maybe this? https://www.allrecipes.com/recipe/223507/green-gazpacho/

Mtn I did do the lemon but I don’t really think it’s necessary. We didn’t have lemon for our leftovers!

thx sue!

If it were me I would do an antipasto. A mixture of your favourite tidbits that you would normally put in an antipasto. I like olives salmon mushrooms artichoke hearts cheeses plus a bunch of other different veggies.

I use oil and vinegar as the topping. I put that on when I get there.

I usually add spanakopita or something like that. That and a sparkling drink and I'm happy. Oh yes and watermelon for dessert. Yum.

I have some very large containers that I use. I usually I put little plates or bowls in filled with each kind of antipasto delicacy. All the stuff can remain separate that way.

Our cooking club has been meeting over Zoom - we mostly live far enough away from many of the others, that doing this is most practical, should someone need a bathroom break. Last Saturday, I make a dinner of lamb, sweet potato, (reconstituted from dehydrated) shiitake mushrooms, and yogurt. It turned out great. We discuss our meals, and any special techniques, events in our lives, and simply wish we could join each other in person again.

Oh, and we all had a glass or two of wine. No need to worry about DWI... !

Hi Artmeis, yum! We have done that the past few months, but I/we feel comfortable meeting outside with social distancing and all our own stuff. I'm so looking forward to it.

Sushi!

This is a really bad thread to read....esp since I'm picking up the covid 10 (lbs that is) and I really need to focus on nonfood to stick to my ww program...everything (ex maybe the sushi which I don't eat) sounds so good!

Cold fried chicken, potato salad, and brownies!

You mentioned green gazpacho, which got me thinking about a chilled cucumber soup with dill...and I usually add a dash of tabasco for a little kick.

yes, i also make and love a chilled cucumber soup with dill., but it has buttermilk and is so rich

Well, there are versions that use yogurt instead of cream...and buttermilk is non- or lo-fat...