Hi everybody, welcome back to Cooking with Bae Day! Through COVID, we have learned that there is way lower risk of the disease being transmitted outside. Since it’s summer, the ideal date then becomes picnics! Low-risk, pleasant weather, beautiful scenery, and delicious food. Listed in this article are several recipes and ideas for picnics for two!
-Amanda, Social Media Coordinator, EverydayDateNight.com
Annamarie Higley Updated: May. 28, 2019
Creative sandwiches, seasonal skillets and transportable desserts—summery make-and-take meals get a twist with these fun picnic food ideas for couples.
1. Hasselback Tomato Clubs
This no-fuss, no-bread riff on a classic is perfect during tomato season. Make it for lunch or pair with pasta salad for a light dinner. —Taste of Home Test Kitchen, Milwaukee, Wisconsin Get Recipe
2 . Nutty Chicken Fingers
Watch the room light up with smiles when you bring this fun dish to the table. Our children love the crunchy nut coating on these chicken strips. And with only a handful of ingredients, preparation is a snap. —Beba Cates, Pearland, Texas Get Recipe
3. Spicy Buffalo Chicken Wraps
This recipe has a real kick and is one of my husband’s favorites. It’s ready in a flash, easily doubled and the closest thing to restaurant Buffalo wings I’ve ever tasted in a light version. —Jennifer Beck, Rio Rancho, New Mexico
Get Recipe
4. Strawberry Rhubarb Cream
A friend gave me this recipe a long time ago. It’s rich and creamy yet refreshing. I make this often in early summer when rhubarb is readily available. —Norma DesRoches, Warwick, Rhode Island Get Recipe
5. Fresh Corn and Tomato Fettuccini
This recipe combines delicious whole wheat pasta with the best of fresh garden produce. It’s tossed with heart-healthy olive oil, and a little feta cheese gives it bite. —Angela Spengler, Tampa, Florida Get Recipe
6. Fruity Peanut Butter Pitas
My kids ask for these all the time. The sandwiches not only taste good, they’re healthy, too!—Kim Holmes, Emerald Park, Saskatchewan Get Recipe
7. Turkey Sandwich with Raspberry-Mustard Spread
My hearty sandwich has different yet complementary flavors and textures. Make it even cozier by adding slices of cooked sweet potato. —Sarah Savage, Buena Vista, Virginia Get Recipe
8. Peach Smoothie
Whip up this creamy concoction as a refreshing and nutritious snack or a quick chilled breakfast. Because you can use frozen fruit, you don’t have to wait until peaches are in season to enjoy this delicious smoothie. —Martha Polasek, Markham, Texas Get Recipe
9. Cobb Salad Club Sandwich
You’ll never have to choose between a salad and a sandwich again. With its generous ingredients piled club-style high, we affectionately call it the “Alpha Clobb Sandwich”! —Carmell Childs, Clawson, Utah Get Recipe
10. Penne with Veggies and Black Beans
Chock-full of zucchini, tomatoes, sweet pepper and carrots, this hearty pasta dish puts your garden harvest to good use. For variety, I sometimes add one-half cup of salsa or one-half cup of thickened teriyaki sauce. —Vickie Spoerle, Indianapolis, Indiana Get Recipe
11. Copycat Chicken Salad
This recipe is incredibly easy to make, and your family will love it. The sweet pickle relish gives it its signature taste. I like to use a thick, crusty oat bread for this sandwich. —Julie Peterson, Crofton, Maryland Get Recipe
12. Cobb Salad Wrap Sandwiches
These wraps are easy for a summer night—and even better, I don’t have to turn on my oven. It’s smiles all around when I make this for dinner. —Bonnie Hawkins, Elkhorn, Wisconsin Get Recipe
13. Cheesecake Berry Parfaits
Berry season is a real treat for me. This layered delight is an easy way to enjoy a hint of cheesecake, and it’s a refreshing change from traditional pudding and fruit parfaits. —Patricia Schroedl, Jefferson, Wisconsin Get Recipe
14. Skillet Ham & Rice
Ham, rice and mushrooms make a tasty combination in this homey stovetop dish. It goes from start to finish in just 25 minutes. —Susan Zivec, Regina, Saskatchewan Get Recipe
15. Chocolate Chip, PB & Banana Sandwiches
I love finding new ways to combine peanut butter, chocolate and bananas. I was shocked when my nephews (who are very picky eaters) loved these sammies. —Charlotte Gehle, Brownstown, Michigan Get Recipe
16. Southwestern Fish Tacos
These tacos, native to Southern California, are a real treat. This recipe has been on my family’s most requested list for years. —Joan Hallford, North Richland Hills, Texas Get Recipe
17. Chicken Curry for Two
I love to try new recipes for my husband and me, and I actually have cookbooks and recipes from all over the world. When I find a recipe that’s well-received, I make a copy and put it in a protective sleeve in a loose-leaf binder. I now have quite a few huge binders! —Sharon Delaney-Chronis, South Milwaukee, Wisconsin Get Recipe
18. Cranberry-Banana Smoothies
When the big meal is over, I make a smoothie using leftover cranberry sauce. Don’t have a frozen banana? Use a regular banana and add more ice. —Gina Fensler, Cincinnati, Ohio Get Recipe
19. Buffalo Sloppy Joes for Two
Lean ground turkey makes this a lighter sloppy joe than the standard ground beef version. A hefty splash of hot sauce and optional blue cheese provide an authentic Buffalo-style flavor. —Maria Regakis, Saugus, Massachusetts Get Recipe
20. Turkey Salad on Wheat Bread
When one of my favorite lunch spots closed, this recipe let me hold on to more than just good memories. The peas, bacon and cheese are such a fun and springy combo. I make big batches of the salad for parties—turns out I’m not the only fan! —Merrijane Rice, Kaysville, Utah Get Recipe
21. Tacos in a Bowl
This easy skillet dish offers a tasty use for leftover taco meat. Garnish it with sour cream and salsa for added Southwestern flavor. —Sue Schoening, Sheboygan, Wisconsin Get Recipe
22. Zippy Egg Salad
Egg salad is a refreshing, tasty change from lunchmeat or peanut butter sandwiches. The touch of mustard and lemon juice gives it extra zip. —Annemarie Pietila, Farmington Hills, Michigan Get Recipe
23. Asparagus ‘n’ Shrimp with Angel Hair
We’ve all heard that the way to a man’s heart is through his stomach, so when I plan a romantic dinner, this shrimp asparagus pasta with angel hair is one dish I like to serve. It’s easy on the budget and turns out perfectly for two. —Shari Neff, Takoma Park, Maryland Get Recipe
24. Mixed Berry Sundaes for 2
Before serving yogurt sundaes, get ready for requests for seconds. Our family enjoys them for breakfast, but they’re sweet enough for dessert. What an easy way to get our fruit and calcium. —Edie DeSpain, Logan, Utah Get Recipe
25. Smoked Salmon Bagel Sandwiches
A memorable pesto salmon I tried in Hawaii inspired these super convenient sandwiches. Pack them in a lunch or serve them on a brunch buffet.—Sherryl Vera, Hurlburt Field, Florida Get Recipe
26. Deli Turkey Lettuce Wraps
I used to make these during my training days when I worked at a restaurant in Hawaii. They’re low-fat, low-carb, high-protein, quick and delicious—a great choice before or after a workout. —Duncan Omarzu, Astoria, New York Get Recipe
27. Berry Smoothie Bowl
We turned one of our favorite smoothies into a smoothie bowl and topped it with even more fresh fruit and a few toasted almonds for a little crunch. —Taste of Home Test Kitchen, Milwaukee, Wisconsin Get Recipe
28. Crabmeat Boats
I’ve been making this recipe for more than 40 years. You can also spread the filling on small rolls and serve them as an appetizer. —June Strang, Grand Blanc, Michigan Get Recipe
29. Easy Sausage and Vegetable Skillet
This is an old recipe that has been passed down in our family through my sister-in-law. When I was a child, she did most of the cooking in our house, and this was my favorite meal. The variety of vegetables makes this an attractive dish, and the cooking time is minimal. —Ruby Williams, Bogalusa, Louisiana Get Recipe
30. Toasted Clubs with Dill Mayo
Simple to prepare, eye-appealing and loaded with flavor, this bistro-style sandwich couldn’t be better! —Jenny Flake, Gilbert, Arizona Get Recipe
31. Peanut Turkey Satay
I found this recipe years ago and immediately served it for a company dinner. It’s easy and fun and takes only minutes to cook, but it makes a fancy entree for special occasions. The peanut butter and soy sauce lend a nice Asian flavor. —Lisa Mahon Fluegeman, Cincinnati, Ohio Get Recipe
32. Sweet and Spicy Peanut Butter-Bacon Sandwiches
I craved peanut butter and bacon toast while pregnant. Then I sampled a friend’s peanut butter with chile pepper in it and loved it. The little zip made the sandwich better, and now I live on this peanut butter sandwich recipe. —Carolyn Eskew, Dayton, Ohio Get Recipe
33. Thick Strawberry Shakes
Cool off with a thick and rich treat that will remind you of a malt shoppe! Nothing can beat this strawberry shake recipe. —Kathryn Conrad, Milwaukee, Wisconsin Get Recipe
34. Loaded Avocado BLT
My husband invented this twist on a bacon, lettuce and tomato sandwich. I like to make it with extra slices of bacon; if you want, you can leave the Gorgonzola cheese out of the avocado spread. —Lori Grant, Kingsport, Tennessee Get Recipe
35. Chicken Quinoa Bowls with Balsamic Dressing
I love this recipe because its simplicity allows me to spend time with my family while not sacrificing taste or nutrition. Plus the fresh spring flavors really shine through! —Allyson Meyler, Greensboro, North Carolina Get Recipe
36. Lemon Cream Delight
Indulging in this creamy dessert is like eating cheesecake out of a bowl. Light and luscious, it’s a pleasing finish to any meal. —Inge Schermerhorn, Kingston, New Hampshire Get Recipe
37. Grilled Hummus Turkey Sandwich
I created this toasted sandwich last summer using homemade hummus and veggies from our garden. We really can’t get enough! —Gunjan Gilbert, Franklin, Maine Get Recipe
38. BLT Skillet
This quick weeknight meal reminds me of a BLT, with its chunks of bacon and tomato. The whole wheat linguine gives the skillet dish extra flavor and texture. —Edrie O’Brien, Denver, Colorado Get Recipe
39. Barley Beef Burgers
Barley adds another dimension to an old-fashioned hamburger. My husband and I really enjoy these juicy patties with onion and barbecue sauce mixed right in. —Rosella Peters, Gull Lake, Saskatchewan Get Recipe
40. PBJ on a Stick
I always try to come up with new ways to serve lunch to my kids. This recipe was a hit! —Sara Martin, Brookfield, Wisconsin Get Recipe
41. Ground Beef Wellington
Trying new recipes is one of my favorite hobbies. It’s also the most gratifying. What could beat the smiles and compliments of the ones you love? This recipe is easy and fancy, perfect for when it’s just you and one kid or a friend. —Julie Frankamp, Nicollet, Minnesota Get Recipe
42. Sea Scallops and Fettuccine
This luscious and lemony pasta dish is so easy, it’s become one of our weekly meal mainstays. But it’s also elegant enough to serve to guests. —Donna Thompson, Laramie, Wyoming Get Recipe
43. Salmon Bean Wraps
Here’s a healthy wrap low in saturated fat and full of the wonderful nutrients in avocado, black beans and smoked salmon. It’s super easy and perfect for a quick lunch. —Jess Apfe, Berkeley, California Get Recipe
44. Mocha Pudding Cakes
These mouthwatering mini cakes make the perfect treat for a twosome. My mom used to make these when I was a little girl. Now I whip them up for a speedy dessert. —Debora Simmons, Eglon, West Virginia Get Recipe
45. Chicken Gyros
This yummy chicken gyro recipe is a cinch to prepare. Just take tender chicken, coat it in a creamy cucumber-yogurt sauce, then tuck it into pita pockets. Some folks like lettuce and diced tomato on top. —Taste of Home Test Kitchen, Milwaukee, Wisconsin Get Recipe
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