Food that won't SPOIL the picnic

[Guest guest]

We will have to set a " dinner " time like 12-4 - after that, we can

leave out the nonperishables.

I have a big cooler that I'll have full of ice. I won't have much

time to prep - because I will be returning from Arizona on the 31st.

Bring your own cooler ('specially for your meats) and ice. The heat

always cranks up the food safety factor, so consider foods that won't

spoil easily. Even with coolers on hand, there's a chance something

besides you could get overexposed to the sun.

NO MAYO! NO MAYO! NO MAYO!

The best foods for sharing are dry ones: nuts, chips, pretzels,

breads, etc.. Also veggies in vinegar-based dressings (except for

the egg-based Caesar) are great. Fresh fruit and cheese trays can be

set in containers of ice. Sugar-free cookies are good too (hint!)

Here are some suggestions that I found online - Ginny:

Pasta salad: Cook the contents of a 16-ounce box of medium-size

shells. Drain and let cool. In a large mixing bowl, combine cooled

pasta, 8 ounces of store-bought balsamic and basil vinaigrette, two

bunches of chopped green onions, two chopped red bell peppers and

chopped garlic to taste.

Serve the pasta alone or pack ready-to-eat chicken strips (such as

Tyson) and add to the salad when you are ready to serve food at the

beach.

Gazpacho: Cold soup is refreshing, nutrient-rich fuel for beachgoers.

In a food processor, chop 3 slices of French bread into fine crumbs

with 2 cloves of garlic. Add 2 tablespoons olive oil, 11/2 pounds

ripe plum tomatoes, 2 tablespoons red-wine vinegar, 1/2 teaspoon

paprika, 1/2 teaspoon ground cumin, 2 tablespoons chopped fresh

cilantro and 2 small cans of tomato juice. Puree well and thin to a

soupy consistency with ice water.

Pass mixture through a fine sieve into a bowl. Add 1 finely diced

cucumber, 1 finely diced red onion, 1 chopped green bell pepper and 1

chopped red bell pepper. Season with salt and pepper to taste.

This needs to chill for at least 3 hours to allow flavors to meld.

Pour into a plastic pitcher with a tight cover and serve in plastic

cups. Add store-bought bagel chips or crisp, thin Italian bread

sticks.

Deli or homemade sandwiches: Yes, it's easy, that's why it fits so

well into a busy day of watching the kids at the beach.

Order from your favorite supermarket or sandwich shop, and ask the

person who takes your order to put the condiments on the side. This

will assure that the bread or rolls don't get soggy from the

toppings. Do the same if you make the sandwiches at home.

Chips and fresh fruit can round out the food stash.