Appetizers, Soups and Salads
As a picnic starter, pick something light with bright flavor. For a strikingly colorful, yet simple dish, try orange and beet salad. If you are feeling really adventurous, discover the surprising harmony and complexity of an avocado, grapefruit and lettuce salad with citrus dressing. For something more subtle, there's chilled cucumber soup with olive oil, mint and lemon juice. If you want to really dig your teeth in, pack Thai spring rolls with peanut sauce.
Main Dishes
For the featured dish, bring hearty, wondrously textured grain and veggie dishes. Experience the soft chew of the delicious whole grain farro tossed with a hint of lemon zest and olive oil, or substitute the nutty seeds of quinoa--a grain-like crop from the Andes--for bulgur in the classic tabbouleh recipe. Add the bright hues and sharp flavors of red onion and tomato to your chickpea salad or mix fresh spinach and tomates into penne pasta. If you are craving something warm and filling for your picnic meal, try baked polenta with zucchini and tomato sauce or a flaky spinach pie topped with pine nuts.
Drinks and Desserts
Complement your earth-savory dishes with some subtle and sweet foods. Nothing is more fitting for a picnic than a large glass jar of steeped tea. Try rooibos tea with a touch of agave nectar and hazelnut milk, or for a simple classic, add a touch of rich soy milk to balance the bitterness of green tea. For a light and delectable dessert, try sticky rice and tropical fruits. If you are lusting for something richer, indulge in the smooth texture of tapioca pudding or the zing of a pear ginger crisp.
