Yummy Picnic Food!!

Ok so here is my "redneck" idea for you. LOL Why not take a blow up pool and fill it full of ice for the stuff that has to stay cold? With this idea you could pack plenty of fruit, slaw, potato salad, baked beans (if you like them cold). What about a relish tray? pickles don't have to stay cold. Is there a store close by where you (or someone) could make an ice cream run when it is cake time? Remember cake frosting will melt if it gets too hot as well.

For the 4th Imade a fresh corn and black bean salad. So steam corn on cob for 5-7 minutes. Cut off cob. Add 2 cans of black beans rinsed and drained, 1 bunch of green onion chopped, some diced tomatoes,1 jalepano finely chopped and seeded, 1 bell pepper chopped, 1 bunch of cilantro chopped and then the dressing is:
2T lime zest
2T lime juice
2T lemon zest
2T lime zest
3 T. honey
1/4 olive oil
salt and pepper
It was delicious! I made it the night before and then dressed it just a few hours before we ate it.

try making a spinach and strawberry salad with red onions. add a balsamic vinagrette with peppercorns and worchestire sauce at the last minute.
serve melon.
pretzles and chips will hold up well.
hummus and pita crisps
pinwheel sandwiches
guacamole
if you make a german style potato salad (without mayo) it will work well without refrigeration.

Make French Potato Salad...it uses oil and vinegar instead of mayo.

If you have REAL Tupperware, the round containers are air-tight/liquid-tight. You can fill a small bowl 2/3 full of water and freeze it and then put it in the bottom middle of a larger bowl which can then be filled with pasta salad, potato salad, etc. The small bowl will act as an ice cube of sorts and will keep the contents of the big bowl cold. www.my.tupperware.com/KJThomas

A veggie tray -- that'll last for a while. If you can do the kiddie pool filled with ice =), then we like to take jello fruit -- it's easy and refreshing. You could bring zucchini bread or banana bread. Have fun! :)

1 can rinsed and drained black beans
1 can drained whole kernel corn
1 can diced tomatoes with green chilies
One thinly sliced green onion
1/2 cup Pace Medium (yellow lid) Picante Sauce
Mix together. Serve with Fritos Scoops.