Healthy Picnic Recipes on City TV
I am thrilled to be featured as a guest expert on Breakfast Television on City TV to share my healthy picnic recipes. Traditional picnic foods can be high in calories and lacking in nutrition making you feel tired and ready for a nap in the sun. I’ve put together three delicious and healthy picnic recipes that will satisfy both your taste buds and your body. From refreshing salads to protein-packed sandwiches, these recipes are easy to make and perfect for any outdoor occasion. The segment originally aired on June 24, 2024, watch it here.
How to Eat Seasonally All Year Long Lunch & Learn
I used seasonal ingredients like fresh herbs, tomatoes and cucumber in these recipes. If you are wondering what is in season over the summer months and looking for recipe inspiration, check out my How to Eat Seasonally Lunch & Learn that I’m offering in person in the GTA or virtually this summer. You can also follow along on Instagram where I’m sharing my seasonal eating tips and recipes.
Healthy Picinc Recipes
Green Goddess Hummus
Add to a sandwich or enjoy with veggies and crackers, Green Goddess Hummus is the perfect picnic ingredient. It is packed with fresh herbs that you can easily grow in your garden. You can always buy store-bought hummus but, during the segment, I show you how easy it is to make your own! I can show you how to make more healthy picnic recipes during my Team-Building Healthy Picnic Cooking Class. The cooking classes are an excellent and immersive virtual summer event.
Green Goddess Hummus Recipe
- 2 garlic cloves
- 2 cups chickpeas (19oz drained and rinsed)
- 1 lemon, juiced (1/4 cup)
- ½ cup parsley, packed
- ½ cup basil, packed
- ½ cup cilantro, packed
- ¼ cup tahini
- 2 Tbsp olive oil
- 2 Tbsp water
- ½ Tbsp cumin
- ¼ tsp black pepper
- Salt to taste
Blend until smooth and enjoy!
Hummus Sandwich
Hummus is a great filling for a vegetarian wrap. It is packed with protein and fresh in-season veggies like tomatoes and cucumber. I also add avocado to bump up the healthy fat which will give you energy for the rest of your picnic adventure.
This Hummus and Veggie Sandwich Recipe is from my Healthy Homemade Soups and Sandwiches Cookbook.
Tuscan White Bean Barley Salad with Lemon Basil Vinaigrette
Packed with zesty sundried tomatoes, seasonal herbs, protein-packed white kidney beans, and satisfying barley, it’s a taste explosion you won’t be able to resist indulging in. This salad is great for a picnic because it travels well. Unlike other salads, it doesn’t contain delicate lettuce that will wilt in your picnic basket.
Get this healthy picnic recipe here.
Creamsicle Coconut Truffles
A picnic isn’t complete without a sweet treat at the end so I wanted to share my Creamsicle Coconut Truffles. They are a perfect combo of vanilla and orange-creamy goodness. If you were ever a fan of Creamsicle ice cream bars as a kid (or as an adult!), then you will love my Creamsicle Coconut Truffles. They are a perfect sweet treat with lots of fibre from the coconut and chia seeds to balance the sugar in the honey and orange juice.
Healthy Picnic Recipes Virtual Cooking Class
As the weather warms up, it’s time to embrace outdoor BBQs and picnics! In this Virtual Group Cooking Class, you’ll learn how to prepare Smashed Chickpea Avocado Wraps—a delightful combination of creamy avocado and protein-packed chickpeas wrapped in a tortilla. Paired with Refreshing Quinoa Tabouli—a zesty and nutritious salad featuring quinoa, fresh herbs, and a tangy dressing. These dishes are perfect for picnics, potlucks, or a light and satisfying meal at home.
All of these recipes contain a source of healthy fat and protein to make them filling and energizing to fuel your picnic adventures. I decided to share vegan recipes because I worry about meat sitting in a picnic basket for a long time in the hot summer heat. Even with an ice pack in a cooler, harmful bacteria can grow quickly once that ice pack melts and the temperature in the cooler increases. You don’t have to worry as much with plant-based proteins so you can swim or hike as long as you like, however, I still recommend throwing in a few ice packs to keep everything cool.
