3 Ideas to Think Outside the Picnic Basket

In 2022, canned vegetable company Libby’s Vegetables held a Great American Picnic survey to find out which plate is most commonly seen at picnics in the U.S. Potato salad and sub sandwiches placed in the top two, with deviled eggs, pasta salad and fruit salad filling out the top-five spots. If you’re looking to refresh your picnic basket ideas, try one of these fresh recipes: 

Fresh Spring Rolls with Peanut Dipping Sauce 

Difficulty: Medium 

Prep time: 15 minutes 

Total time: 30 minutes 

Serves: 4 

Though traditional fried spring rolls in a sweet and sour sauce serve up a delicious treat, these fresh and nutrient-packed Vietnamese spring rolls are perfect for a healthy appetizer or part of a meal. Paired with a creamy peanut sauce, ingredients like soy sauce and ginger bring complexity to the dish. The rice paper serves as a low-calorie vehicle for fresh veggies and protein-rich shrimp. 

Ingredients:

· 16 oz. large, cooked shrimp, peeled and deveined 

· Rice paper 

· 1 head romaine or butter lettuce 

· 1 bell pepper, cut into strips 

· 1 cucumber, cut into strips 

· 2 sprigs cilantro 

· 2 sprigs green onions 

· 1 avocado, cut to thin slices 

· ¼ cup peanut butter 

· 2 Tbsp. low sodium soy sauce 

· ¼ cup warm water 

· 2 cloves minced garlic 

· ½ lime, juiced 

· 1 Tbsp. ginger, minced 

· 2 tsp. sesame oil (can substitute with other oil) 

· Optional toppings: crushed peanuts and red pepper flakes 

Instructions:

1. Chop and assemble ingredients. 

2. Soak rice paper in warm water for 5-10 seconds. Soaking it for too short of time will make the paper crack while soaking it for too long will make the paper mushy and break. 

3. Apply ingredients (3 shrimp, a little lettuce, bell pepper strips, cucumber strips, cilantro, green onion and avocado) on two opposite sides of the rice paper, folding at the top over the first bunch of ingredients, then fold in on both sides and continue rolling. 

4. In a bowl, combine peanut butter, soy sauce, warm water, minced garlic, lime juice, ginger and oil. Mix until well combined then top with crushed peanuts and red pepper flakes if desired. 

5. Dip spring rolls in peanut sauce. 

6. Store with parchment paper separating the rolls to prevent them from sticking to each other. 

Corn Salsa Dip 

Difficulty: Easy 

Prep time: 10 minutes 

Total time: 15 minutes 

Serves: 4 

This corn salsa is packed in veggies like creamy avocado and colorful Roma tomatoes and bell peppers. Easy to make, this recipe comes together in under 15 minutes. Simply add all ingredients to a bowl, toss with an Italian vinaigrette and get to dipping. 

Ingredients:

· 1 can black beans, drained and rinsed 

· 2 ears of corn or 1 can corn, drained 

· 6 Roma tomatoes, diced 

· 1 to 2 jalapeños, ribs removed, seeded and finely chopped 

· 1 orange bell pepper, diced 

· ½ red onion, diced 

· 1 avocado, diced 

· ½ cup cilantro, chopped 

· 1/3 cup Italian dressing 

Instructions:

1. Prepare ingredients by chopping and dicing the vegetables. 

2. Add all ingredients to a bowl and mix until well-combined. 

3. Serve with whole wheat crackers or baked chips. 

Watermelon “Fries” with Lime Yogurt Sauce 

Watermelon tastes great on a hot day – it’s crunchy and thirst-quenching. These watermelon fries are served with a lime protein-packed yogurt sauce. 

Difficulty: Easy 

Prep time: 10 minutes 

Total time: 15 minutes 

Serves: 6 

Ingredients:

· 1 watermelon, seedless 

· 1 cup Greek yogurt 

· 1 tsp. vanilla extract 

· 1 Tbsp. honey 

· 1 Tbsp. lime juice plus zest from 1 lime 

Instructions:

1. Cut watermelon into 4 by ½ inch sprigs or “fries.” Use a crinkle cutter if you have one. 

2. In a bowl, mix Greek yogurt with vanilla extract, honey and lime juice. Mix half of the lime zest into the sauce. Once mixed, top the sauce with additional zest. 

3. Dip watermelon “fries” in yogurt dip. Enjoy!

Shanthi Appelö is a registered dietitian and health and wellness spokesperson for Blue Cross Blue Shield of Michigan based in Detroit. Passionate about the science of nutrition and behavior, Shanthi has experience working in clinical nutrition, public health and teaching in the university setting. In her free time, she enjoys experimenting in the kitchen, exploring the outdoors, working on art and spending time with family. For more recipes and health information, visit ahealthiermichigan.org.