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    Cooking Gorgeous » MSN Posts

    Top Picnic Recipe Ideas for Summer

    Published: Jun 22, 2024 by Ayla Clulee · This post may contain affiliate links.

    Here are my top picnic recipe ideas for this summer that you can whip up ahead of time and enjoy under the sun! These easy and super delicious picnic treats are sure to be a hit with both adults and kids.

    Mini Sausage Rolls

    mini sausage rolls served with tartar sauce on the side
    Ayla Clulee

    These homemade Shortcrust Pastry Mini Sausage Rolls are a delicious combination of flaky and buttery shop-bought pastry with perfectly seasoned hearty sausage meat. 

    They are the perfect appetizer or finger food for your Christmas parties and are also great for lunch boxes, picnics, or snacks.

    To learn more: Shortcrust Pastry Mini Sausage Rolls

    Raspberry Muffins

    Ayla Clulee

    There's something incredibly comforting about the smell of freshly baked from-scratch homemade muffins filling your kitchen.

    They have a delightful tang from the yogurt and are perfectly complemented by the juicy bursts of fresh raspberries. These muffins are extremely easy to make and are ready in just half an hour.

    To learn more: Raspberry Muffins with Yogurt

    Vegan Lentil Meatballs

    serving mercimek Koftesi with lettuce leaves and sliced lemons
    Ayla Clulee

    Mercimek Kofte (Turkish Vegan Lentil Meatballs) is a healthy and flavourful Turkish dish made with fine bulgur, red lentils, onions, tomato & red pepper paste, and spices. These aromatic vegetarian meatballs are inexpensive and very easy to make.

    Just like Easy Meatless Cig Kofte, they are perfect for picnics, and also can be served as an appetizer, a healthy snack, or a part of a mezze platter.

    To learn more: Mercimek Kofte (Vegan Lentil Meatballs)

    Orzo Pasta Salad

    orzo pasta salad served in a bowl with sliced lemons
    Ayla Clulee

    This Orzo Pasta Salad is fresh, healthy, and flavorful, easy to put together, and perfect for making ahead. It is a great side dish for last-minute parties, small gatherings, or BBQs and the leftovers are perfect for picnics and packed lunches. 

    And the best part is that this Mediterranean salad is made with easy-to-find fresh ingredients and is ready in just 20 minutes!

    To learn more: Orzo Pasta Salad 

    Cig Kofte

    cig kofte is portioned and served with lettuce and lemon
    Ayla Clulee

    This Easy Meatless Çiğ Köfte Recipe is a vegetarian twist on the popular Turkish street food from Urfa, a city in southeastern Turkey.

    It also makes a great appetizer or meze and is similar to Kibbeh Nayyeh from Levantine cuisine.

    To learn more: Easy Meatless Çiğ Köfte Recipe

    Mango Avocado Salad

    mango, avocado, and cucumber salad
    Ayla Clulee

    This zesty and colourful Mango Salad with Avocado and Cucumber is packed with flavor and ready in just 15 minutes. It is the perfect side dish for your summer cookouts, picnics, or potlucks!

    It is a heavenly combination of sweet mangos, creamy avocado, and crisp cucumbers, all drizzled with a deliciously sweet honey and lime dressing.

    To learn more: Mango Salad with Avocado and Cucumber

    Air Fryer Crab Cakes

    3 pieces of crab cakes served with salad and lemon slices
    Ayla Clulee

    Loaded with fresh crab flavor and ready in just 25 minutes, this Best Air Fryer Crab Cakes Recipe is perfect for a hectic weeknight meal. 

    Shape your crab cakes, pop them into the air fryer, and let them crisp up while you whip up a delightful homemade Tartar Sauce for dipping! The leftovers transform into amazingly delicious sandwiches—ideal for a packed lunch or picnics.

    To learn more: Best Air Fryer Crab Cakes Recipe

    Circassian Chicken

    Cerkez tavugu
    Ayla Clulee

    Çerkez Tavuğu (Circassian Chicken) is a delicious mezze/appetizer made of shredded poached chicken mixed with a creamy walnut sauce. 

    This recipe is a great way to use up leftover roast chicken or stale bread pieces.

    Ready in 30 minutes, this unique chicken dish is perfect for quick weekday meals, picnics, or big family gatherings.

    To learn more: Çerkez Tavuğu - Circassian Chicken

    Salmon and Spinach Quiche

    salmon quiche with spinach
    Ayla Clulee

    Salmon and Spinach Quiche is a light, creamy, and indulgent treat that is perfect for delicious breakfast, brunch, lunch, or a light dinner. 

    It is very straightforward to make at home with simple ingredients, and impressive enough to wow your guests! Also, it is great for lunch boxes or picnics, it still tastes great when eaten cold or at room temperature!

    To learn more: Salmon and Spinach Quiche

    Onion Bhaji

    onion bhaji - onion pakora
    Ayla Clulee

    Crispy Onion Bhaji (also known as Onion Pakora or Kanda Bhaji) is a delicious Indian snack made by deep-frying finely sliced onions dipped in lightly spiced gram flour batter. 

    They are extremely addictive, vegan, gluten-free, and ready in 30 minutes!

    To learn more: Crispy Onion Bhaji (Pakora) Recipe

    Keema Naan

    stuffed Indian flatbread
    Ayla Clulee

    Homemade Keema Naan Bread is the perfect combination of deliciously spiced minced lamb (lamb keema) and a soft&fluffy naan dough. 

    They are a great accompaniment to Indian curries (try it with Chicken Handi!), as well as dips and soups. You can serve them for dinner and the leftovers are great for packed lunches or picnics.

    To learn more: Keema Naan Bread

    Yaprak Sarma - Stuffed Grape Leaves

    yaprak dolma (Stuffed Grape Leaves)
    Ayla Clulee

    Yaprak Sarma (or Yaprak dolma - Yalanci Dolma) is an authentic vegetarian Turkish dish made from Grape Leaves Stuffed with aromatic rice, fresh Mediterranean herbs, and spices. It's a popular choice for special occasions and gatherings.

    Similar to Biber Dolmasi |Vegetarian Stuffed Peppers and Zeytinyagli Enginar Dolmasi - Stuffed Artichokes, these appetizers are versatile and can be served as part of a mezze platter or as a main dish. They are also great for packed lunches and picnics.

    To learn more: Yaprak Sarma - Stuffed Grape Leaves

    Potato Borek

    potato borek is baked until golden and crispy
    Ayla Clulee

    Potato Borek - Patatesli Börek (or Burek) is a delicious Turkish pastry made of a cheesy potato filling wrapped in crispy thin yufka sheets. 

    These savory vegetarian pies are a great snack, a tasty breakfast on the go, or a perfect appetizer for parties, picnics, and gatherings.

    To learn more: Potato Borek - Patatesli Börek

    Courgette Fritters

    12 pieces of mucver served on a plate with yogurt dip
    Ayla Clulee

    Mücver (Turkish Zucchini Fritters) are small vegetable pancakes that contain zucchini (or courgettes), egg, flour, spring onion, and fresh herbs. 

    These crispy, savory treats are easy to make and packed with flavor, making them a perfect addition to any meal, picnics, or party.

    To learn more: Mücver (Turkish Zucchini Fritters)

    Turkish Pancakes - Gozleme

    4 pieces of gozleme served with tomatoes, peppers and parsley
    Ayla Clulee

    Gozleme, also known as Turkish Pancakes, is a delicious savory Turkish flatbread filled with a variety of ingredients like mince, cheese, spinach, or potatoes.It's a popular street food in Turkey, often enjoyed for breakfast, picnics, or as a snack.

    To learn more: Gozleme (Turkish Pancakes)

    Mousse au Chocolat

    mousse au chocolate served in a glass
    Ayla Clulee

    This chic dessert Mousse au Chocolat (or French Dark Chocolate Mousse) is surprisingly fuss-free, made with only 4 simple ingredients, ready in 20 minutes, and no baking is required.

    This ultimate French Dark Chocolate Mousse is a versatile dessert; you can pack it for a picnic or add it to your 5-course menu for a touch of sophistication.

    To learn more: Mousse au Chocolat - French Dark Chocolate Mousse

    Indian Chickpea Salad

    Ayla Clulee

    Indian Chickpea Salad (or Chana Salad) is a refreshing, delicious, and healthy side dish made with chickpeas, vibrant vegetables, and a tangy dressing. 

    This fiber and protein-packed Indian Spiced Chickpea Salad is great for BBQs, picnics, or packed lunches.

    To learn more: Indian Chickpea Salad (Chana Salad)

    « 21 Brunch Recipes and Ideas For Summer
    Best BBQ Recipes You Need This Summer »

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    Welcome to Cooking Gorgeous, where delicious easy-to-follow recipes and culinary inspiration await you! My name is Ayla Clulee, a passionate and professional Cordon Bleu-trained chef, recipe developer, and food content creator with decades of experience. I am based in the UK, and I'm thrilled to have you here.

    The kitchen is my happy place and cooking is my therapy.

    More about me →

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