Since the weather is warmer (much warmer), it brought back memories of past picnics and the yummy food we ate. Fried chicken, fresh, thick sliced homegrown tomato’s, southern mustard potato salad , sweet cornbread, apple pie and sweet, sweet iced tea. Since some these foods are on my no no list now, I’ve tried to tweak them to be at least a little healthier for our next outing. Skinless, boneless, marinated in lemon juice, baked chicken. Kept the can’t do without potato salad, the tomato’s, added some Italian marinated scallions for some tang and crunch, nixed the cornbread and super sweet tea. Substituted the tea with some homemade lemonade sweetened with whatever floats your boat. Absolutely had to keep the apple pie since so much trouble was involved in accessing the apples. Scrumping and all that. And what’s in your picnic basket? ❤️
Healthy(?)Food for our Picnic Basket - Healthy Eating
Healthy(?)Food for our Picnic Basket
That’s a nice start, HappyMan. ❤️ Anything to go with that? I know you have a myriad of healthy ideas.
Lol walls are a bit of a problem, so I found a gate I could squeeze through. Much worth the effort for those apples.
That sounds like a nice picnic!
We had a picnic yesterday and I had a salad with some chicken and potatoes, olives and turmeric spiced cauliflower, then there were stuffed vine leaves, more olives and bits if cooked chicken to nibble on and sparkling water to drink. We had strawberries and grapes for dessert.
It's been nice weather for picnics here 
Cheese scones, cheese muffins and quiche spring to mind, but I do like your selection Isinatra. I haven’t tried cornbread but have thought about it in the past. I agree with you, potato salad gets a thumbs up, and tomatoes would be the beefsteak ones. Salmon and cucumber sandwiches made with wholemeal bread would be good Maybe some hummus with celery and carrot sticks too. After all that I think a little nap would be in order. 🙂
So good, Rach! A nap under the old oak tree would be ideal.
Perfect.🙂 As an afterthought, some garlicky prawns and mayo would be a welcome addition. 😋
Garlic and seafood, of course. The Mayo?
It would have to be low fat mayonnaise. 🙂
Oh, does it have to be?😉
Why? Make your own, using simple ingredients; egg, olive oil, vinegar, salt and maybe a touch of mustard. Much healthier than food engineered in a factory to create the taste mouthfeel of fat.
I’ve often thought of how homemade Mayo would taste. I’ve never had any feedback on it before. Thank you…you’ve inspired me. 😀
You are welcome.
I am deeply suspicious of industrial oils (like rapeseed/canola, soybeans etc) that I try to stick with home made. It's easy to do!
How long would it last when refrigerated?🧐
If you read the link above, I found a technique to extend it's life. I haven't tried that as I eat high fat, and haven't had any go off.
(I know you asked the question before I added the link!)
Yes, I will, to that.
Good point Subtle_badger, although as I haven’t made it before it would need to be fool proof. Do you just whisk everything together? 🙂
If you get a stick blender, and make it in a jar, it's fool proof. Pretty nearly in a blender or food processor. I haven't tried to make it without equipment.
Thank you, I’ve got a stick blender. 🙂
Cornbread can be sweet or not. I like to add some Mexican relish to the batter to accompany chili, red beans and rice…
Hummus with breadsticks is my favourite quick snack 😋
I love making hummus. I have to make my own because of garlic allergy. But what is missing from the garlic I make up in Cumin 😃
It's one of the rare things that I can say I make quite well HT! xx
Picnics feel very 70s to me, so if I was going with salmon and cucumber (and had a chill box), I might make a dish I remember from my childhood, salmon mousse. These days I would leave out the sugar, and probably spread it on slices of cucumber, though bread is good too.
theneverendingcookbookbymum...
Very 21st century, SB. 👍🏼
Thank you for the link, I like the idea of adding the horseradish cream. I wouldn’t have thought of salmon and horseradish together but I can see how it would work. Somewhere in the back of my mind I’m thinking that horseradish goes well with trout too. 🙂🤔
Horseradish with smoked trout? Timeless classic.
Picnic classic.
I’ve been looking for some trout but it all seems to be farmed, and I won’t be buying that. 🙂
Not only a picnic, but an adventure. Seafood is great . Especially so fresh.
A feast!
Enjoy your picnic. It sound delicious!
Come join, happy. There’s plenty to go around!😋😋
Thanks! I have a fresh crab here for lunch with sourdough toast. I'll be thinking of you 😃
Oh, I’ll be thinking of YOU!
Enjoy😊
Yes HT join in 😘
Slices of watermelon, grapes, strawberries, apples of course (freshly scrumped) to eat with low fat strong cheddar, pack it all into the tupperware and off we go😊
Lol I forgot to bring fruit in my picnic basket! Maybe bring a little dipping chocolate? We can take a nice long walk afterwards along the beach with happyman to work off the extra calories.
I would like any kind of melon, some nice juicy peaches and an apricot tart. 😋😋😋
👍🏼
I love honeydew but I don't think that can be too healthy? Very sweet😋
Go with berries instead, R. Just need your “C”. 😀
Watermelon is my go to fruit when I want it sweet. The best peaches used to be hauled from Georgia, though. Couldn’t pass those roadside stands.
BTW I live in Florida. ☀️
No shortage of vit C for you then, Florida eh? Not quite as impressive as Louisiana but not too shabby 🤗
I agree so much.
I live in London where one of the traditional things to eat are jellied eels🤢
Tell us…have you tried them?
You must be jokin' me old love😂the sight of them slimy things is enough to turn your tummy🤢
Ugh. Is it considered to be a delicacy of some sort?
I only know that years ago there were pie n mash and eel shops and the live eels used to be swimming around in trays in the windows, you need to consult with Bazzak, he was brought up in the east end, he's better than google👌
Maybe someone can wake Bazzak to get his input.
I'm here, jellied eels and stewed eels are amazing Isinatra even better is the pie and mash with green liquor.And the East End rule is, you turn the pies over, you only use a spoon and fork and add plenty of malt vinegar and white pepper. Green liquor/gravy is made from parsley 😁😁xx
Great description, Bazzak. Glad you surfaced. You almost have me talked into trying those denizens of the sea. 😵💫
Pie and mash 😁😁
🤣🤣🤣🤣🤣 is right. Is that those little slippery things? Or the grand pops?
Jellied eels 🤣🤣🤣
😂😂 I’m definitely not going to buy stock in them. 😂
🤣🤣🤣 if ever you come to London I will treat you to them 🤣🤣🤣
Pie and mash is so good Mr. B, are there any Manzies still going, we used to go to the one in Upper St. but sadly it closed down a while ago😔😘
Yes Tower bridge road, it's a good one !! I might go there tomorrow 🤗🤗🤗🥰
There's absolutely no need to brag! 😂😘
🤣🤣 double pie double mash 🤗🤗🤗😘
No need to be greedy either🙄😘
Ok single pie then 🤗🤗🤗😘
Ohhhh there's one, and the table is soo Manzies 🤗😘
Manzies? Food?
I’ve tried them, they are definitely an acquired taste and I haven’t acquired it! 🤔😕
Rach! You actually ate some??
Yes, I went to the well known pie and mash shop beginning with M, you know the one I mean. I was with a friend who was having some and I tried a small piece, it didn’t appeal to me. I think I would like the liquor though if it’s like parsley sauce, which I love. 😋
The liquor is exactly that, parsley sauce and its delicious with the mash😋I don't know if there are any Ms left now, I don't think so xx
That would be a shame as I think the chain of shops had been around for a long time. 🙂
Conger eel is another matter, I have mentioned before that it was one of my favourite meals as a child. We used to have it with mash, peas and parsley sauce made with the liquor from cooking the eel. 🙂
I've never tried that either, we were brought up on stews, steak and kidney puddings that kind of thing and I remember pudding was usually something with custard xx
Picnic on the beach sounds like paradise to me Happyman4 with all that lovely food😋
Haven't eaten Spam for a long time, love it though is it very healthy?
Doesn’t matter, happyman, where the food comes from. Sitting on a bench , watching the sea, or getting your backside wet on the sand. It’s still a picnic. ❤️
And sand in your sandwiches 😁
Something to keep my friends cool for their outing.
Mines the flowery one with the pink ribbon 🤗
We will have to do a round of rock, paper and scissors to settle who should get it 
I’ve thought of that Imaaan. I have duplicates. Just make sure everybody gets the memo. 😉
Dang, I was looking forward to the favorite childhood game 😜
👏 Bravo for having your southern hospitality on point
That’s the way to sit back , relax and chow down. Thoughtful children, happyman. 😉
HAPPY FATHER’S DAY! Happyman! Staying home for the day, or an excursion to the shops for your tasty treats?
Wow. Such a time difference, I’m glad you’re day turned out so well. ❤️🏄♀️
A new boiled egg recipe I made that would be a good addition to my basket. Eggs pickled in beet, onion, sugar and vinegar liquid. The amount of sugar can be adjusted to preference. They’re marinated for 72 hours in the fridge. They come out a beautiful deep purple, all the way down just to the yolk. So good you’d want to slap your mama. (It’s just a sayin’ folks) 😘
Pre gastritis picnic:
Philly steak sandwich, coleslaw, cold potato salad and a cool down with a popsicle
_______or________
Guava juice
Oodkac which is akin to beef jerky eaten in a baguette
Roasted corn on the cob, slathered in butter and a dash of salt
Marbled cheese cut in cubes eaten together with medjool dates and roasted peanuts
Post gastritis picnic
Homemade kebab burger that's been altered to use only onion, cilantro and salt
Gluten free sourdough bread
Cucumber and tomato salad
Baked potato wedges
Cantaloupe and honeydew fruit salad
MY, MY! You are one little, busy chef. Thank you for translating. It all sounds so good!😀
That sounds yummy, even without the " bad " stuff.I'm afraid that my " picnics " are on the border line of healthy. And usually a pot luck. I often bring ...Bonless skinless chicken parts, my " famous " Quinoa Taabouli, Yukon Gold egg and potato salad, and something to drink..Ofcourse I " sample from everyone. That negates anything " healthy "
As the post headlines indicate, the term healthy could be up for debate. Picnics are for commaraderie, not always for watching the waistline. Your food certainly fits the bill for comfort food, my friend. ❤️❤️
Well thank you!
can I join in 😄 got some middle eastern food with me 😋
You bet your sweetness, Hiba. We’ve got room for everyone!
Thank you 🙏 I got falafel I got shawarmas some pita bread gyro sandwiches some chicken and beef kebabs ☺️
Me first in line, folks. Lots to go around. Very generous of you, Hiba. And shawarmas are?…
Shawarmas are a Levantine Arab dish consisting of meat cut into thin slices, stacked in a cone-like shape, and roasted on a slowly-turning vertical rotisserie or spit.
I can just smell the aroma now……aaah, yes
You'll have to out maneuver me in that first in line thing. LOL
Hiba that all sounds so good to me, come and join us on the picnic blanket 🤗
Thank you 🙏 ☺️
I did a PILK! That was meant to say so good to me🙈🤗
I loves me some shawarmas! Yuuuuuuum haven't had that in ages!
it’s so darn good
What do you recommend for a picnic dessert, Hiba?
Welcome Luna! So glad you could join us! Your food creations come just at the right time since our baskets of food are dwindling. Any suggestions for toppings on the bagels? Love those salads and blueberries…..I’ve seen the most delicious looking blackberries lately. I’m hoping they haven’t been gmo’d.
Hello,Hidden , I got part of your reply on my email notification, but it didn’t show up on here. I’ll try to access the link you sent me, it sounds fun. Thank you for your suggestion. Always looking to make a picnic interesting. We’ll have to wait til the heat is gone for our next excursion.😋
If you are seeing a message from hidden that is someone whose account has been deleted - they probably deleted it themselves. They won't see any replies.
I can't even see the post you are replying to. It looks like you replying to yourself.
Exactly Subtle. The persons user name was in my email, but the word Hidden showed up instead when I typed/highlighted his username in my reply. I’ve never encountered this situation before so I did my best to acknowledge him. And I really don’t mind people thinking that I talk to myself.😂
Slow cooked chicken for me tonight, not...🍔...fast food 
NOT Exactly Healthy, but a Good Meal None The Less
