Our Guide to Indian Food offers a recipe for Bhelpuri, which is a snack with almost iconic status in India. It’s made with a few specialty Indian items, as well as peanuts, potatoes, onions and tomatoes. If you wish to lower the fat still further, use the peanuts sparingly.
About’s Guide to Kosher Food has two wonderfully refreshing offerings for the long, hot days of summer. The first is a cooling Cucumber Salad, which makes a great addition to any picnic or potluck. Kids love it, and with only five ingredients, it’s easy to make. His second suggestion is a light, tangy and refreshing Tabbouleh Salad, which is a combination of bulgur wheat, vegetables and herbs.
To add some delicious low-fat Mexican flavors to your next picnic or potluck, our Guide to Mexican Food suggests these seasoned with garlic, onion, chile and cumin. And perhaps the ultimate summer treat is this cool and refreshing Shrimp Ceviche "cooked" with lemon and lime juice, with a little spicy kick from Serrano chiles. Enjoy it as a side dish or as a dip for veggies or corn chips.
I volunteered my low-fat version of a traditional picnic staple—Macaroni Salad. And this Tropical Fruit Salad is a summer delight with the island flavors of pineapple and mango. Add a little fat-free whipped topping or some low-fat yogurt if you like, but it’s delicious on its own too.
Marinating chicken breasts in soy sauce before baking adds extra flavor to this Chinese Chicken Salad< recipe from our Guide to Chinese Cuisine. Mandarin oranges add a tangy taste and the chow-mein noodles add some crunchy texture. And for a twist on an old favorite, try some Chinese Coleslaw with a tangy dressing seasoned with rice vinegar and sesame oil.
Our Southern Cuisine Guide suggests these delicious Fresh Tomatoes with Basil. Here, tomato slices are simply topped with freshly sliced basil and sprinkled with salt and pepper. Prepare these tomatoes about 30 minutes before serving and allow them to come to room temperature. Serve these wonderful tomatoes plain or with your favorite vinaigrette or dressing.
No picnic would be complete without some beverages. In addition to fruit juices, lemonade and water, you might want to offer your adult guests something a little more potent, as well as refreshing. Our Cocktails Guide has some great drink recipes that are perfect accompaniments for picnics or potlucks. The first is Long Island Iced Tea, a refreshing drink that actually has no tea in it! Mix everything except the cola ahead of time, and bring in a bottle. When you’re ready to serve, pour over ice and top with cola. For a fruitier flavor for your picnic, prepare this Sangria made with wine and fruit, but wait to add the club soda until you’re ready to serve.
If you’re looking to fill your cooler with ice and some refreshing beer for that outdoor potluck or picnic, our Guide to Beer has a great list of Top 10 Summer Brews that are light, yet flavorful. Choose a few different ones from Flying Dog to Buffalo Bill and your friends will have an intriguing selection.
So enjoy the remaining lazy days of summer picnicking with family and friends, and offer them some of the tasty offerings shared here.
