Spring’s Here! Tasty Recipes For A Picnic Lunch

It sure has been a long year, we all could use a relaxing picnic in the midst of a park by the lakeside just witnessing the spring performing its magic on the cherry blossoms. Sitting besides our loved ones having lunch, laughing, giggling together. Letting go of all the worries and all the anxiety of the work… doesn’t it sound just beautiful? Who cares if it’s in some fancy park or just your backyard! The picnic must happen, and we’ll help you make it memorable. These are our top picks for your beautiful beginning of spring picnic for this spring season!

1. Slow Cooker Barbecue Ribs

Patience is the key to achieve anything beautiful, and these Slow Cooker Barbecue Ribs are definitely going to be your next crush. These ribs will melt right into your mouth. So why delay in treating yourself with this creamy yummy delight?

Ingredients:

2 cups (500ml) barbecue sauce
2 tbsp brown sugar
3 tbsp minced garlic
2 tsp Worcestershire sauce
1 tbsp cayenne pepper (optional for a hint of spice)
2 kg (4 pounds) baby back pork ribs
Salt to taste

Directions:

Spray inside of a 6-quart slow cooker with cooking spray.
Remove the inner skin (membrane) from the ribs and place them in a slow cooker. Discard the skin.
Combine bbq sauce, brown sugar, garlic, Worcestershire sauce and cayenne pepper in a small bowl. Mix well to combine and completely cover with half of the sauce.
Season with a good amount of salt and pepper; cover with a lid and cook on low setting for 7-9 hours or high setting for 3-5 hours *see notes. Refrigerate remaining sauce to use later.
When ribs are tender and falling apart, transfer onto an oven tray (or baking sheet), lined with parchment paper. (Lift them carefully as the meat will be very tender and fall off the bone).
Pour half of the juices from the slow cooker bowl into the remaining sauce. Baste ribs with half of the sauce and broil (grill) in a preheated oven at 400°F (220°C) for about 10 minutes or until beginning to char and crisp on the edges.
Serve the ribs with the remaining sauce.

Source: cafedelites.com

2. Chickpea Shawarma Wraps

Who doesn’t love a good wrap? Try out these Chickpea Shawarma Wraps on your next picnic and we guarantee that your loved ones will give you a big hug and wrap their arms around you once they try them. So be ready to impress those relatives or friends who love a good vegetarian meal.

Ingredients:

For The Shawarma Spice (makes extra):

1 tbsp coriander
1 tbsp paprika
½ tsp cumin
½ tsp cinnamon
¼ tsp ginger
⅛ tsp cayenne
Sea salt and freshly ground black pepper

For The Wraps:

1 1/2 cups roasted chickpeas, with the shawarma spice
4 pitas, warmed
Hummus
2 Persian cucumbers, thinly sliced
12 cherry tomatoes, quartered
Pickled onions or thinly sliced red onion
Handful of fresh mint

For The Zhoug:

1 cup cilantro
2 tbsp extra-virgin olive oil
1 jalapeño
1 garlic clove
¼ tsp cumin
¼ tsp ground coriander
⅛ tsp sea salt
Freshly ground black pepper

For the Yogurt Sauce (optional):

½ cup plain yogurt
½ tbsp extra-virgin olive oil
½ tbsp fresh lemon juice
¼ tsp salt
Freshly ground black pepper

Directions:

Preheat the oven to 400°F and line a baking sheet with parchment paper.
To make the shawarma spice mix: In a small bowl, combine the coriander, paprika, cumin, cinnamon, ginger, cayenne, and pinches of salt and pepper. Use generous pinches to season the chickpeas before and after roasting them.
To make the zhoug: Place the cilantro, olive oil, jalapeño, garlic, cumin, coriander, salt, and a few grinds of pepper in a food processor and process until you reach a pesto-like consistency.
To make the yogurt sauce: In a small bowl, combine the yogurt, olive oil, lemon juice, salt, and several grinds of black pepper.
Assemble the pitas with the hummus, chickpeas, cucumber, tomato, pickled onion, mint, dots of the zhoug, and drizzles of the yogurt sauce.

Source: loveandlemons.com

3. Rhubarb Mint Mojito

We bet that you’re going to be thirsty after eating all those yummy ribs and shawarma wraps. So here’s our recommendation, that we know, will make the best spring picnic drink for you. So sit back, relax, and let this Rhubarb Mint Mojito melt all your worries away…and don’t worry, these come in both alcoholic and non-alcoholic options, so your kids can enjoy these too!

Ingredients:

For the Rhubarb Simple Syrup:

4 cups chopped rhubarb
1 cup sugar
1 cup water
¼ tsp cinnamon optional
¼ tsp nutmeg, optional

For the Rhubarb Mint Mojito:

1 oz white rum
2 oz rhubarb simple syrup
5 mint leaves
3 tbsp lime juice
Lime zest
Sparkling water or ginger ale
Pinch of nutmeg, optional

Directions:

Rhubarb Simple Syrup

Combine all the ingredients in a small pot. Bring to a boil then reduce to a simmer.
Simmer until the rhubarb is soft and the mixture has thickened. Remove from heat and strain through a fine mesh sieve.
Pour into a jar or bottle and let cool completely. The syrup will last in the fridge for two weeks. This will make enough for 4-6 drinks.

Mojito Cocktail

Add 5 large mint leaves to a cocktail shaker. Fill half full with ice and muddle with the end of a wooden spoon.
Add ¼ cup rhubarb simple syrup. 1 oz white rum and 3 tablespoons lime juice. Shake until well chilled.
Strain into a glass. Fill ⅔ full with ice cubes and top with sparkling water or ginger ale.
Garnish with a mint sprig and/or a slice of lime and a pinch of nutmeg (optional).

Non-Alcoholic Cocktail (Mocktail)

Simply follow all directions, but omit the rum. Add extra sparkling water or ginger ale if desired.

Source: Flavourandsavour.com

4. Honey Grapefruit With Banana

There’s no better dessert than a bowl of fruit salad filled with the yummy mixture of grapefruit and bananas and covered in honey. Aren’t you hungry already? Because we sure are!

Ingredients:

1 (24-oz) jar refrigerated red grapefruit sections (about 2 cups)
1 cup sliced banana (about 1)
1 tbsp fresh chopped mint
1 tbsp honey

Directions:

Drain grapefruit sections, reserving 1/4 cup juice.
Combine grapefruit sections, juice, and remaining ingredients in a medium bowl. Toss gently to coat. Serve immediately, or cover and chill.

Source: health.com

We hope you get to enjoy a nice, calm, relaxing picnic with your loved ones. Because no matter how bad things get, spring is all that it takes to bring a fresh start to everything! Let us know how your picnic went and if your kids loved all these snacks and tasty, sweet desserts!