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Preparing a picnic lunch

Preparing a picnic lunch for 20 people requires careful planning and consideration of various dietary preferences and restrictions. Here's a suggested menu that offers a variety of options to cater to different tastes:

 

Main Dishes:

Sandwich Platter: Prepare a variety of sandwiches with different fillings such as turkey, ham, roast beef, chicken, and vegetarian options like grilled vegetable or hummus. Cut them into halves or quarters for easy serving.

Quiche: Make a couple of quiches with different fillings like spinach and feta, bacon and cheddar, or mushroom and Swiss cheese. Cut them into slices before packing.

Grilled Chicken Skewers: Marinate chicken pieces in your choice of marinade (e.g., teriyaki, lemon herb, or barbecue) and grill them. Skewer them for easy consumption.

Salads and Sides:

Green Salad: Prepare a large bowl of mixed greens, cherry tomatoes, cucumber slices, and shredded carrots. Provide various dressings on the side for people to choose from.

Pasta Salad: Make a refreshing pasta salad with cooked pasta, cherry tomatoes, olives, bell peppers, feta cheese, and a tangy vinaigrette dressing.

Fruit Salad: Create a colorful fruit salad by combining seasonal fruits like watermelon, pineapple, berries, grapes, and melon.

Coleslaw: Prepare a creamy coleslaw with shredded cabbage, carrots, and a homemade dressing.

Chips and Dips: Provide a variety of chips and accompany them with guacamole, salsa, or other favorite dips.

Snacks and Finger Foods:

Cheese and Crackers: Arrange a platter with an assortment of cheeses, such as cheddar, Swiss, and pepper jack, along with an array of crackers.

Veggie Sticks and Dip: Slice cucumbers, carrots, bell peppers, and celery into sticks and serve them with a flavorful dip like ranch or hummus.

Mini Quiches: Prepare bite-sized quiches using a mini muffin tin with various fillings like bacon and cheese, spinach, or mushroom.

Beverages:

Water: Provide bottles or a water dispenser for guests to stay hydrated.

Iced Tea/Lemonade: Prepare a large pitcher of iced tea or lemonade, or both, to quench thirst on a warm day.

Assorted Soft Drinks: Offer a selection of canned or bottled soft drinks for those who prefer carbonated beverages.

Optional: If alcohol is allowed at your picnic location and appropriate for your guests, you can consider offering a couple of beer or wine options.

 

Desserts:

Cookies: Bake or buy a variety of cookies like chocolate chip, oatmeal raisin, and sugar cookies.

Brownies: Make a batch of chocolate brownies and cut them into squares.

Fresh Fruit: Supplement the fruit salad with additional fruits like grapes, strawberries, or sliced melons.

Optional: If you'd like to go the extra mile, you can prepare a simple cake or cupcakes as well.

Remember to bring enough serving utensils, plates, napkins, cups, and blankets for seating. Pack everything in insulated coolers or containers to keep the food fresh and safe during transportation. Enjoy your picnic!