ISO: picnic food

[sk8ingmom]

I am celebrating DH's 30th birthday next month with a Beach Picnic for two. This was inspired by the April picnic article...BUT I don't think DH would like any of the recipes featured! I was thinking of having crab dip and crackers, some sort of seafood/pasta salad, bread, wine and a dessert. My dilemma: no good (cold) crab dip recipes, no good seafood/pasta salad recipes & no IDEA what to serve as a transportable dessert!
HELP!
Has anyone made the "Pasta Salad with Shrimp, Peppers and Olives"? (APril pg. 170) How would that taste cold??

Thanks, M.

[Wendy w]

You may want to try the Ultimate Crab Dip from CL of Oct. '99 as it is one that is served cold or at room temperature.

I made this last Christmas using canned crab and it worked out just fine. You may want to do a search for pasta salad recipes as there was a thread a couple of weeks that had some good ones. Have fun!

Ultimate Crab Dip

2 (8-ounce) blocks fat-free cream cheese
1/4 cup low-fat plain yogurt
1 tablespoon prepared horseradish
1/2 teaspoon Worcestershire sauce
1/4 teaspoon ground red pepper
1/4 teaspoon hot sauce
1 tablespoon green onions -- finely chopped
1/2 cup water chestnuts -- chopped
1 pound lump crabmeat -- shell pieces removed

Beat cream cheese at high speed of a mixer until smooth. Add yogurt, horseradish, Worcestershire sauce, pepper, and hot sauce; beat well. Stir in green onions, water chestnuts, and crabmeat.

(serving size: 1/4 cup)

Description:
"Serve this dip with crackers or toasted French bread."
Source:
"Cooking Light, October 1999, p.117"
Copyright:
"© Cooking Light"
Yield:
"4 cups"

[sneezles]

I have not tried the salad you mentioned but have had the Pasta Salad with Shrimp and Basil from the Complete CL Cookbook. It is very good and meant to be eaten cold. Can post if you don't have the book.

[lorilei]

I've mentioned my favorite crab salad a number of times on the boards (so you'll pardon me if I'm repeating myself). I absolutely love the flavors in this dish -- it's not really a "recipe" but a concept. Combine the flavors in whatever proportion suits you. I usually use penne pasta...

Pasta
Balsamic vinegar
Olive oil
Lump crab meat
Kalamata olives
roasted red peppers
tomatoes
(sometimes) feta cheese

The vinaigrette is excellent for dipping bread, and we love to take this salad on picnics http://www.cookinglight.com/bbs/smile.gif

I wonder if a bit of good quality chocolate and a bottle of nice red wine would be sufficient for dessert? Otherwise, why not try some petit fours? Or decadent brownies?

[AndreaU]

As for a picnic dessert, I tend to think along the lines of brownies, as lorilei suggested, or Lemon Bars- easy, tasty, portable!

[sk8ingmom]

Thanks everyone...now I just have to decide!!

[Laura B]

sk8ingmom, do you have any great HOT crab dip recipes to share? I am always on the lookout for one that is going to compare to my fave restaurant crab dip. Thanks!

[Peggy]

sk8ingmom,

I have tried the Pasta Salad with Shrimp, Peppers and Olives and thought it was excellent. It was very light and refreshing and would be good at a picnic. Last night I made the Strawberry-Kiwi Salad with Basil from the April picnic article and it was wonderful! Such simple ingredients but the combination was perfect! If you husband likes strawberries and kiwis, I would give that one a try.

Peggy