Mother’s day: A Gluten Free Picnic
The travel season has just begun in our home. My wife just got back from a weekend in NY and the coming months will see us visiting Nebraska, California, Texas and Washington for a mix of business and pleasure. It’s a weekend free of travel or activities, dedicated to our favorite Mom. Our annual mother’s day picnic always has us wishing we spent more time at local parks and hiking trails and this year I FINALLY bought a real-deal picnic basket. Our mother’s day picnic menu will follow, but first, a sneak peak from dinner on Friday night which I promise will have a post of it’s own in due time.
Dukkah and za’atar crusted lamb on a bed of creamy polenta with balsamic fried celery.
I saw a set of appetizer tasting spoons when I went to pick up the picnic basket from Macy’s and at just $9 for four, I didn’t fight my impulsive desire to add to my kitchen collection. If you were wondering where to buy the spoons from the TV Show “The Taste“, head on down to Macy’s or buy them on Amazon.
After breakfast in bed we decided that Kansas City’s Loose Park would be our destination so I packed up the picnic basket and we spent a wonderful day outdoors. Here’s what we ate:
Lentil and Green Olive Salad
Very similar to the Live to Eat Lentil Salad I shared and so quick and easy to make. If you want to take a shortcut, just warm a can of organic black lentils with some green olives, a generous handful of cilantro and a squeeze of lime juice. Salt and pepper brings this whole dish together.
Mayo-free Potato Salad
I shared this recipe with you recently, it’s amazing as a hot potato salad alongside freshly grilled salmon or served cold at a picnic. That’s one of the things I love about this potato salad recipe.
Tuna Croquettes
As always, I feared we didn’t have enough food so I made these tuna croquettes up while I was packing the picnic basket. Combine two cans of tuna, two eggs, a tablespoon of fresh thyme, salt, pepper and 1/8th cup gluten free breadcrumbs or matzoh meal. Fry on high heat in a skillet for four to five minutes on each side. Delicious warm or cold.
Green salad with an avocado caesar dressing
No mayo or oil in this, the creaminess comes from the avocados.
Grilled Asparagus
I could eat grilled asparagus with anything and every time I do, I think of the only scene of Eat, Pray, Love I ever saw and close my eyes and imagine I am in Rome for day.
Our other gluten free picnic treats included a roasted garlic hummus, matbucha, rice cakes and fresh sliced red peppers and cucumbers. A refreshing dessert of strawberries, cherries and pineapple gave us energy to walk around the park for a few hours once we had finished eating.
