Summer Picnic Food: Kicked Up Sandwiches and Chips

by Michele Cheplic | More from this Blogger

18 Jul 2008 11:00 PM

Don't look now but summer is more than halfway over. Soon those bike paths you've been using to save gas will be covered with snow and ice. Now is the time to make the most of summer's warm days, not only to play outside but also to dine al fresco.

A picnic in the park can be a great way to cap off a lazy summer day, but instead of packing the same ol' bologna sandwiches considering kicking up your outdoor meal with the following recipes.

The first is a traditional muffaletta sandwich. The hearty sandwich originated in 1906 at the Central Grocery in New Orleans, Louisiana. I had my first taste of the monster sandwich during a trip there nearly ten years ago and fell in love at first bite. The sandwich consists of a round loaf of crusty bread filled with layers of sliced cheese, salami, ham and an incredible olive salad, which sets it apart from any other sandwich you've ever tasted.

I like to pair the mighty sandwich with homemade pita chips and a refreshing mango salsa. Both make wonderful additions to a meal shared with family and friends in the great outdoors.

CLASSIC MUFFALETTA

Ingredients:

Round Italian Bread

Sliced ham

Sliced salami

Parmesan cheese slices

Provolone cheese slices

Swiss cheese slices

Ingredients for Olive Salad:

Minced Garlic

Pimento-stuffed green olives-chopped

Pitted Kalamata olives-chopped

Celery-chopped

Roasted red pepper-chopped

Fresh oregano-chopped

Fresh parsley-chopped

Pepper to taste

Directions:

Prepare olive salad by combining all salad ingredients--refrigerate overnight.

Assemble sandwich by layering the meat and cheeses on bottom half of bread and then top with 1/2 cup of the Olive Salad, top with other half of bread.

Note: If you are taking the muffaletta on a picnic place the meat and cheese on the bread and wrap in plastic. Top with prepared olive salad once you get to your picnic destination.

MANGO AND MELON SALSA

Ingredients:

1 mango finely diced

1/2 cup finely diced cantaloupe

1/4 cup finely diced red onion

2 tablespoons chopped mint leaves

1/2 teaspoon chili powder

1/2 lime, juiced

1 teaspoon light olive oil

Salt and freshly ground pepper to taste

Directions:

Toss together and chill for at least an hour.

HOMEMADE PITA CHIPS

Ingredients:

1 package of pita bread

Olive oil

Salt and pepper

Directions:

Drizzle olive oil on pita bread and sprinkle with salt and pepper then grill until crisp.

Related Articles:

Outdoor Dining: Three-Course Simple Summer Meal

Healthy Grilling: Super Summer Salmon Salad

Refreshing Raspberry Recipes

Make a Watermelon Ice Cream Cake and other Cool Summer Treats

Kids in the Kitchen: Sweet and Simple Strawberry Treats

Fourth of July Picnic Favorites: Super Steak Sandwiches and Strawberry Watermelon Salad

Watermelon Spinach Salad with Poppy Seed Vinaigrette

Pairing Chicken with Summer's Harvest--Peaches and Cherries

Learn more about Michele Cheplic

Michele Cheplic was born and raised in Hilo, Hawaii, but now lives in Wisconsin. Michele graduated from the University of Wisconsin-Madison with a degree in Journalism.

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