Enjoy the Outdoors With These Picnic-Ready Recipes

by DailyHealthPost Editorial

Lots of warm and sunny weather means packing up the picnic basket for an outdoor meal. Luckily, there are tons of healthy recipes out there for a delicious summer spread. Whether you’re going on a hike, to the beach, or just for a walk through the park, read on for some recipes for your picnic.

1. Grilled Shrimp and Veggie Orzo

picnic1Making food ahead of time for a picnic means that your recipes should be fine served cold or at room temperature. This grilled shrimp and vegetable orzo salad is a great summer meal, dressed with pesto vinaigrette.

For vegetables, grill zucchini, bell pepper and summer squash with a red wine vinegar and extra-virgin olive oil marinade. Marinate the shrimp with this same mixture and add a little salt and pepper. Toss all the ingredients with cubed raw heirloom tomatoes and basil leaves for a fresh balance to this dish.

2. Grilled Vegetable Hummus Wraps

picnic2Grilled veggie and hummus wraps are a delicious and healthy meal that makes great use of fresh summer vegetables. This recipe for grilled veggie and hummus wraps recommends using red onions, bell pepper, and eggplant, cooked on a grill pan over medium-high heat.

After grilling, chop up the vegetables. Spread some hummus over whole grain flatbread and then add the vegetables and a little bit of crumbled feta cheese. Garnish with some fresh parsley.
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3. Edamame “Guacamole”

Try a new spin on the classic picnic chips and dip with this delicious cross-cultural dish, which uses edamame and olive oil in the place of avocado to make a “guacamole” that is slimming, spicy, and delicious.

Start by slicing up some whole-wheat pitas, and then sprinkle them with pepper, chili powder, and a touch of salt. While you bake your pita “chips,” puree some of your edamame with olive oil and warm water in a food processor.

Chop up the rest of your edamame with onions, bell peppers, and jalapeño and fold them into your puree. The result: spicy “chips and dip” that are low-calorie, rich in protein, and chock full of vegetables.

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