food Who’s Ready for a Picnic?
Pack Your Basket with Fresh Takes on the Classic Outdoor Meal By Morgan Banno
Summer is an ideal time to round up your best friends, grab your gingham blanket and pack a picnic for the outdoors. Whether you dine al fresco at the beach (while being mindful of the pesky seagulls), in a park or even your backyard, a good picnic is as much about tasty food as it is about convenience. But what to eat? We all have those family members who are known for their deliciously inspiring, Instagram-worthy recipes. In my family, my Aunt Jan is always my go-to when I crave something different but can’t decide on a specific cuisine or dish to prepare. As an avid cookbook collector, Aunt Jan is full of tried-and-true recipes that put Ina Garten to shame and make Pinterest look like child’s play. My favorite picnic recipes are quick to prepare, easy to transport and
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explode with flavor. By using fruits and vegetables that are in season or from local vendors, you can create a lip-smacking pique-nique that would bring Yogi Bear out of hibernation. Hey, hey, hey! Aunt Jan’s Orzo Salad is one of the most robust cold salads I’ve ever prepared. It’s Mediterranean-inspired flavor profile uses an abundance of fresh produce and has the perfect umami of herbaceous greens, tangy vinegars and salty olives. Swing by Funky Flamingo in Gulfport or Spiro’s Produce and Deli in South Pasadena for some of the best produce around! Also, Aurora’s Fresh Produce out of Immokalee sets up weekly at the Corey Avenue Sunday Market and they carry beautiful, ripe veggies that burst with flavor. While you’re there, visit local fresh herb grower John Majka (AKA “The Herb Guy”) for everything
you could possibly need to finish this salad with absolute perfection. When it comes to Asian flavors, I am a curry fiend! I love the pungent warmth that curry powder offers to a dish and my Curry Chicken Salad can easily be made vegan with a plant-friendly protein (I suggest extra firm tofu or tempeh) and readily available vegan mayo. Summer rolls aren’t just for Asian restaurants! They make a super satisfying side dish that bursts with raw crunch and gusto. Rice paper wrappers are available at any Asian market (one of my personal favorites is MD Oriental Market in Pinellas Park) or local grocery store in the ethnic food aisle. While the process of rolling these vegan delights can seem ambitious, it’s totally worth the end result. Like any of my picnic recipes, ingredients can be omitted, swapped
theGabber.com | July 1, 2021 - July 7, 2021
