Easy Picnic Food Ideas

Ingredients

• 1 cup cherry tomatoes, preferably organic
• 1 cup cucumber, sliced into sticks or rounds
• 1 cup baby carrots, bought pre-washed
• 1 cup hummus (store-bought or homemade)
• 8 slices whole-grain bread
• 1 cup sliced turkey or roasted vegetables
• ½ cup cheddar cheese
• 1 avocado, sliced
• 1 cup mixed greens
• Salt and pepper to taste
• 2 cups cooked pasta (penne or rotini)
• 1 cup cherry tomatoes, halved
• 1 cup mozzarella balls
• ¼ cup fresh basil, chopped
• ½ cup balsamic vinaigrette
• 1 cup brownies, cut into squares
• 2 cups mixed fresh fruit (strawberries, blueberries, grapes)

Instructions

1. Wash the cherry tomatoes, cucumber, and baby carrots thoroughly under cold water. Arrange them on a platter with a bowl of hummus for dipping.
2. Lay the whole-grain bread slices on a clean surface. On four slices, layer the turkey or roasted vegetables, cheddar cheese, avocado, and mixed greens. Season with salt and pepper. Top with the remaining bread slices to form sandwiches.
3. In a large bowl, combine the cooked pasta, halved cherry tomatoes, mozzarella balls, and chopped basil. Drizzle the balsamic vinaigrette over the mixture and toss gently to combine.
4. Cut the brownies into squares and wash the mixed fresh fruit. Keep both in separate containers to maintain freshness.