Mixing for a picnic

Summer's finally here! You'll probably be spending your time near swimming pools, beaches, camps and picnics and there's no better way to impress your friends than with these fancy, yet fast recipes perfect for any picnic in any park, beach or pool. The below recipes provide a light meal to keep you full while you play Frisbee or take a walk.

smoothie

Photo: The strawberry-banana and mango smoothie is not only delicious, but also colorful and festive.

The strawberry-banana and mango smoothie is not only delicious, but also colorful and festive.  Photo courtesy of Molly Nicholson.

Strawberry, Banana and Mango Smoothie

Kitchenware:
-Blender
-Cutting board
-Knife
-Glass

Ingredients:
Bottom Layer:
- 1 mango, peeled, pitted and chopped
- ½ cup orange juice
- 1 tablespoon lime juice
- 2 tablespoons honey (optional)
- 3 medium ice cubes
Top Layer:
- 1 banana, chopped
- 10 strawberries, cut in half
- 1 tablespoon lime juice
- 3 medium ice cubes

Preparation and Cooking:
1.Peel the mango, banana and cut the strawberries
2.In a blender, puree the mango, orange juice, lime juice, honey and ice cubes until smooth.
3.Divide the mixture into glasses, filling them halfway.
4.Rinse blender
5.Puree banana, strawberries, lime juice and ice cubes until a smooth consistency is reached
6.Pour into glasses, fully filling them.

Prep time is approximately 5 minutes. Makes 2 servings.

Ambrosia Salad

piknik

Photo: These colorful meals add flair to any outdoor scenery.

These colorful meals add flair to any outdoor scenery.  Photo courtesy of Molly Nicholson.

Kitchenware:
-2 medium size bowls
-Spoons
-Can opener
-Measuring cups (1 cup, 1/2 cup)
-Tablespoon

Ingredients:
-2 cups sour cream
-1 cup cream cheese
-2 tablespoons light brown sugar
-10 cups miniature marshmallows
-20 – ounce can crushed pineapple, drained
-15 – ounce can mandarin oranges, drained
-1 cup maraschino cherries, drained and halved

Preparation and Cooking:
1.In a medium bowl, mix together the sour cream, cream cheese and brown sugar.
2.In a separate bowl, mix pineapple, mandarin oranges and maraschino cherries.
3.Pour all fruit into bowl containing the sour cream, cream cheese and brown sugar.
4.Add marshmallows.
5.Mix

Prep time is approximately 10 minutes. Makes 8 – 10 servings.

Chicken Chopped Mediterranean Salad with Feta Vinaigrette

Kitchenware:
-Oven
-Kitchen knife
-Cutting board
-Medium sized bowl
-Small sized bowl
-Jar with lid
-Measuring cups (1 cup, 1/2 cup)
-Teaspoon

Ingredients:
-2 precooked chicken breasts, diced
-1 bag of romaine hearts
-1 cucumber
-1/2 medium red onion, diced
-1 cup red wine vinaigrette
-1/2 cup feta cheese
-3 tomatoes, sliced

Preparation and Cooking:
1.In a bowl, add diced chicken breasts.
2.Chop the romaine and add to bowl with chicken.
3.Add cucumbers, olives and red onion and set aside.
4.Combine red wine vinaigrette and crumbled feta cheese in jar. Seal lid and shake.
5.Pour dressing into salad and toss to combine ingredients.

Prep time is approximately 20 minutes. Makes about 4 servings.