Summer Picnic Recipes
Summertime and the living is … al fresco! Outdoor gatherings are a highlight of the season—and they're almost always accompanied by good food. We've got some great summer recipes and food pairings to try at your next picnic or barbecue. Each is made using fair trade ingredients, so you can feel extra good about preparing and sharing with family and friends.
Looking for a quick appetizer, sandwich, or salad idea? Check out the pairings at the end for some simple summer favorites. Bon appétit!
Couscous Salad
From Sindyanna of Galilee, Israel
Ingredients:
- 1 ½ cup couscous
- 2 Tbsp. Sindyanna Organic Olive Oil
- 6 scallions, sliced
- 4 plum tomatoes, diced
- 1 cucumber, peeled and diced
- 1 Tbsp. Traditional Za'atar Mix
- 2 Tbsp. lemon juice
- salt & pepper to taste
- 1/2 cup crumbled feta cheese, optional
Pour couscous in a large bowl and cover with 1 ½ cups hot water. Cover and let stand for 5 minutes. Toss the couscous with scallions, tomatoes, cucumber, Za'atar, lemon juice, oil, salt, pepper, and feta, if using. Serve immediately or cover and refrigerate.
Calico Baked Beans
From , USA
Ingredients:
- 2 packages of Women's Bean Project 10 Bean Soup (beans only - save the mix for another cooking occasion)
- 1 quart pork and beans or leftover baked beans
- 6 slices of bacon, diced, OR 1 cup ham bits OR ½ lb. sausage or ground beef
- ½ cup onion, diced
- 3/4 cup brown sugar
- 2 tsp salt
- 1 tsp dry mustard
- 1 clove minced garlic
- ½ cup vinegar
- ½ cup ketchup
- ½ cup olive oil
- 1 Tbsp. Lemon Hot Drops
- 2 Tbsp. white wine vinegar
- 1 bunch of asparagus, tough ends of the stalks removed
- 2 zucchini, sliced in strips lengthwise, about 1/4" thick
- 1 bunch of broccolini, stalks trimmed
- 1 bunch green onions, trimmed
- â…" lb. sugar snap peas, ends and strings removed
- 2 Tbsp. sunflower seeds
- 1 Tbsp. pumpkin seeds
- 2 tsp. sesame seeds
- Finish ham and Gruyere sandwiches with Sundried Tomato Mustard.
- Top your favorite bread with brie and Mango Jam from Eswatini Swazi Kitchen.
- Combine olive oil and Za'atar Mix for an herbal bread dip.
- Use Pomegranate Balsamic Vinegar Reduction on salads, over strawberries, or add a spoonful to sparkling water for a refreshing beverage.
Preheat oven to 325°. Soak and cook beans in microwave according to directions on package. Place in large casserole, reserving liquids. Fry bacon (could also use ham bits, sausage or ground beef), pour off excess fat. Add onions (fry briefly), brown sugar, salt, dry mustard, garlic, vinegar, ketchup. Cook 5 minutes and pour over beans. Add enough reserved bean liquid to barely cover beans. Bake uncovered 1 ½ hours, adding additional liquid if beans become too dry.
Grilled Green Salad
From Turqle Trading, South Africa
Ingredients:
Combine olive oil, Lemon Hot Drops, and white wine vinegar. Set aside. Place the vegetables in a glass bowl and coat lightly with olive oil. Grill over medium high heat until lightly charred. Pour olive oil mixture over vegetables while still warm. Remove from grill and sprinkle with sunflower seeds, pumpkin seeds, and sesame seeds. Serve and enjoy!
Want to get outside even faster? Try these pairings for a quick and easy taste sensation, fair trade style.
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