It truly is a strange time that we find ourselves in at the moment. But strange doesn’t always have to mean a bad thing. With everyone suddenly practicing “shelter in place” or “healthy at home” depending on what your state calls it, parents across the globe seem to be trying to find ways to have fun with their little ones in the confines of their own property. That is where my idea to have a backyard picnic comes in. I have been doing this for years with my little people. And the best part, I think, of the whole idea of a picnic is that the food is simple enough that the little ones can also help make it. So grab a blanket or a couple of towels and find your perfect spot to settle down and eat with your kids. Here are some of my favorite “go to” recipes for our backyard picnics.
Bacon Ranch Cheese Ball
I know this is not something that may often come to mind when you think of picnic food, but it is something that you should at least give a taste. One of its main selling points for me is that it is covered in bacon. I also absolutely love that it is a cold dish that you can enjoy on a warm spring day like the ones we’ve experienced recently. If you are looking for a new recipe for your next picnic or you are just a fanatic for cheese balls, I encourage you to try the Bacon Ranch Cheese Ball from Centsless Meals.
Deviled Eggs
If you had asked me when I was first getting my start into adulthood if I thought deviled eggs would make good picnic food, I would have said that you were crazy. But like with most things, as we grow older our perspectives change. Now when we plan a picnic, these little heavenly morsels are a must-have item. I stumbled upon Mrs. Paula Deen’s recipe years ago and they are an experience that is second to none. If you want to see what the south means when they say deviled eggs, give Ms. Paula’s Traditional Southern Deviled Eggs a try. And paprika is definitely an optional garnish. It is something that I grew up with and have just stuck with, but it will not “make or break” the dish.
Kid Friendly Roll-Ups
Of course we have to have something that is a guaranteed win with the kids in the recipe lineup. And what better way to do that than with roll-ups. These yummy pseudo sandwiches can come in many forms. The favorites around our house are the Chicken & Bacon Roll-Ups from Taste of Home, the Italian Sandwich Roll-ups from Happy Go Lucky, and the Ham and Cheese Pinwheels over at Spoonful of Flavor. Strangely enough my kids have never been a fan of peanut butter and jelly, but I have tried the Peanut Butter & Jelly Roll-ups that I found on Southern Bite and they were super easy to make and oh, so yummy.
Grape Salad
Never in my wildest dreams did I imagine there would come a day when I would try a dish called grape salad, let alone like it. But this is one that I highly recommend. With only a handful of ingredients and 10 minutes prep time, you will be well on your way to a yummy dessert for your backyard picnic. And since you will be eating and relaxing only a few feet from your own back door, this dish can chill while you eat the rest of the meal. I have tried many versions over the years, but have come to use the recipe from Seeded at the Table.
It’s the picnic principle. Things taste better outdoors. And if it’s a forbidden thing, so much the better.
-Franny Billingsley
When was the last time you packed a picnic and enjoyed the great outdoors while eating? Is there a go to recipe that always graces your picnic basket? Feel free to share your recipes or thoughts in the comments down below.
