Posted by Rae Lynn on 5/29/2014 to Food
Pack up a picnic for a long day of fun in the sun at the beach with these easy-to-eat delicious and nutritious picnic & beach food ideas with recipes. 

Wraps and skewers make serving easy while minimizing the need for silverware. These fresh selections are also wonderful options for indoor beach-themed entertaining that will have your guests reminiscing about happy days at the seashore. 


Caesar Salad Bites

Getting your veggies in won’t be a chore with attractive Caesar salad bites that are as easy to enjoy as they are to eat. 

Prep Time: 25 mins 
Makes 25 bites 
Cooking Level: Very Easy 

Ingredients
  • 2 romaine lettuce hearts 
  • 2/3 cup bottled refrigerated creamy Caesar dressing 
  • 1/2 English cucumber, chopped 
  • 1 1/4 cups small seasoned croutons 
  • 1 cup halved grape tomatoes 
  • 1/4 cup coarsely chopped fresh parsley 
  • Parmesan cheese
  • Freshly ground pepper to taste 
  • Green onion stalks (optional) 
Directions
  1. Separate romaine hearts into 24 medium leaves, and arrange on a large platter. 
  2. Spoon dressing lightly down center of each leaf. 
  3. Top with chopped cucumber and next 3 ingredients. 
  4. Sprinkle with Parmesan and pepper to taste. 
  5. If desired, fold lettuce leaves into pockets and keep closed by knotting green onion stalks around them. 
Variation: Add diced cooked chicken breast or salmon for Chicken or Salmon Caesar Salad Bites.

Inspired by: www.myrecipes.com

Fruit Skewers 

Enjoying colorful fresh-cut fruits by the beach is always a win, and serving them on single-serving skewers adds another level of utensil-less fun. 

Prep Time: 15 min 
Makes 20 skewers 
Cooking Level: Very Easy 

Ingredients
  • 10 large strawberries, halved 
  • 1/4 melon, cut into balls or cubes 
  • 2 bananas, peeled and cut into chunks 
  • 1 apple, cut into chunks 
  • 1 kiwi, cut into half-circle slices 
  • 20 whole seedless grapes 
  • Pineapple cubes, canned or fresh 
  • 20 skewers 
Directions

Thread fruit pieces alternately onto skewers until full, leaving about 2 inches on the bottom for easy handling. 


Seared Ravioli Skewers
  
The carbs and protein packed in each little bite will help refuel the body after an afternoon of fun, and the savory Italian flavors will delight the palate too. Ravioli get slightly crisp from being sauteed, and flavors from the delicious cherry tomatoes with fresh basil and artichoke will certainly make for a memorable snack. 

Prep Time: 5 min 
Cook Time: 20 min 
Makes 8 skewers 
Cooking Level: Moderate 

Ingredients
  • 10 ounce package of your favorite ravioli 
  • 1 cup of cherry tomatoes, cut lengthwise 
  • 4 ounce jar of Italian marinated artichoke hearts, coarsely chopped; 2 TBS of juice reserved 
  • Extra virgin olive oil 
  • Salt & pepper 
Directions
  1. Cook the raviolis according to package directions minus 20% of the time (i.e. if it says cook for 2 minutes cook for only about 90 seconds). 
  2. Drain and quickly add to a large pot of cold water to "cold shock" the pasta to halt cooking process. Leave in the cold water until ready for use. 
  3. In a large non-stick skillet add 2 tablespoons of olive oil over medium heat. 
  4. Saute the ravioli until lightly browned on each side, about 3 minutes per side. 
  5. Remove to large bowl and toss with salt, pepper, garlic powder, and Parmesan cheese to taste. 
  6. Add another 2 tablespoons of olive oil and increase heat to medium high, then add artichoke hearts + juice and cherry tomato halves and saute for 2 minutes. 
  7. Peel tomato skins if desired. 
  8. Thread ravioli, tomatoes, and artichoke onto skewers in an alternating pattern, interspersing with fresh basil leaves if desired. 
  9. Serve with warm marinara sauce on the side. 
NOTE: Skewers will stay warm if wrapped in aluminum foil and placed in an insulated cooler for transport. 


Crab & Avocado Wrap

Crab and avocado are one of Rae Lynn’s most favorite combinations and always makes for a tasty lunch. This recipe can be easily adapted to serve as many guests as needed; simply multiply the amount of ingredients by the number of wraps you need! 

Prep Time: 25 min 
Makes 1 wrap or 6-8 bites 
Cooking Level: Easy 

Ingredients
  • 1/2 cup crab meat 
  • 1 teaspoon mayonnaise 
  • 1/2 teaspoon soy sauce 
  • 1/2 teaspoon wasabi paste 
  • 1 teaspoon toasted sesame seeds 
  • 1 or 2 drops sesame oil 
  • 1/2 avocado 
  • 1/4 cup finely shredded lettuce 
  • Squeeze lemon juice 
  • 1 soft flour tortilla wrap 
Directions
  1. Place crab meat into the bowl and mix in mayonnaise, soy sauce, wasabi, sesame seeds, and sesame oil. 
  2. Spread the mixture halfway horizontally across the wrap, leaving an inch of tortilla along the bottom. 
  3. Halve an avocado and remove the seed. 
  4. Score the flesh into slices then scoop out the flesh and lay on top of the crab meat mixture. 
  5. Cover with shredded lettuce and top with a squeeze of a lemon wedge. 
  6. Roll tightly from the bottom and wrap in wax paper for transportation. 
  7. The wrap can also be cut into smaller pieces and secured with food picks if desired.
Inspired by: www.foodnetwork.com

Caribbean Wrap

Flavors from the rotisserie chicken mix perfectly with the sweetness of the mango and tangy punch of lime juice for a refreshingly appetizing option. 

Prep Time: 10 min 
Makes 4 wraps 
Cooking Level: Easy 

Ingredients
  • 2 cups chopped or shredded skinless, boneless rotisserie chicken breast 
  • 2 cups cubed mango 
  • 1 cup low-sodium black beans, drained and rinsed 
  • 1/2 cup chopped red onion 
  • 8 teaspoons chopped fresh cilantro 
  • 8 cloves garlic, minced 
  • Juice of 1 lime 
  • 1/2 teaspoon chili powder 
  • Crushed red pepper, generous pinch 
  • Four 8-inch flour tortillas 
  • Shredded lettuce 
Directions
  1. Mix all ingredients in a large bowl, tossing to coat evenly. 
  2. Spread the mixture halfway horizontally across the wrap, leaving an inch of tortilla along the bottom. 
  3. Cover with shredded lettuce. 
  4. Roll tightly from the bottom to form roll; slice into pieces if desired.

Peanut Butter Cup Brownie Bites 

Because a melty warm chocolate center cradling a dollop of peanut butter inside sweet, crusty brownies is worth it anytime. 

Prep Time: 15 min 
Cook Time: 16 min 
Makes 30 brownie bites 
Cooking Level: Moderate 

Ingredients
  • 1 box of brownie mix 
  • Water, according to brownie package directions 
  • Vegetable oil, according to brownie package directions 
  • Eggs, according to brownie package directions 
  • 1 bag of Reese's peanut butter cups 
Directions
  1. Preheat oven to 325°F. 
  2. Grease a mini-muffin sheet and set aside. 
  3. Prepare brownie mix according to box. 
  4. Using a cookie scoop, fill muffin tins a little more than 1/2 full.
  5. Press a peanut butter cup into the center of each brownie until level with the batter. 
  6. Bake for 14-16 minutes or until brownies are done. 
  7. Allow to cool in pan before removing.

Tell us about your favorite picnic & beach food ideas.