SAUCE-Y' PICNIC FOOD: healthy, some prep-ahead, some easy

Splendid hand-held picnic food is elevated to the sensational with well-chosen sauces and dips.  

67goingon50 loves picnic food especially when a main course or side is paired with a sassy sauce, dip or dressing. The combos usually end up as a knock-em-down hit with diners.  

67goingon50 has several favourites:

Spicy Potato Cigarillos with a vivid Coriander dipping sauce.  Skinnier Sausage Rolls with rich Maple-flavoured Mustard.  Asian Fish 'Crystal' Wraps with a punchy, fiery Vietnamese dressing.  

For the less adventurous looking for something uusual but not overly exotic, there's Poached Chicken with Ginger Scallion Oil (plus soy and Oyster sauces).  Or the ever-popular Beef Mini Koftas with a glorious Tahini Dressing.

We're about to have a spell of very hot weather and now is the time to try these fabulous, good-for-you dishes. Nearly all can be partly prepped ahead in the cool of evening.

Please note: Prices are historical and might not reflect 2023 inflation

SPICY POTATO CIGARILLOS

These vegan non-greasy frugal canapes are punchy Indian-style 'chip butties' and do a great job of soaking up alcohol.  Baked, not fried, they're crisp and crunchy; dipped into the vividly flavoured coriander sauce, they made our taster's face light up.  The cigarillos can be made ahead, use mostly standard cupboard ingredients  and are easy to put together.  They're low in fat, salt and  preservatives.  

SKINNY MUSTARD-Y SAUSAGE ROLLS

Described by tasters as good enough for Waitrose, these are non-standard sausage rolls: much lower in fat and nitrate-free.  They're neither greasy nor boring and taste better than the usual sausage roll.  But what really makes the treat special is the utterly more-ish Maple Mustard Dipping Sauce, powerful but never overwhelming.  

FISH 'CRYSTAL' RICE PAPER WRAPS, fresh & bright 

Feisty fresh & fabulous, these fish wraps are absolutely worth making at home; they're fresh, bright, crunchy and satisfying.  The combo of white fish and an extraordinarily good sauce is unbeatable.  If there are conflicting food requirements amongst guests or family, take the opportunity for a communal food prep session/bonding exercise, adding vegetarian & chicken versions.

HEALTHIEST POACHED CHICKEN WITH GINGER SCALLION OIL

Succulent, sweet, tender chicken with almost zero effort and low energy requirements would be fabulous on its own but with Ginger Spring Onion Sauce, it is stunning.  The recipe is ideal in a heatwave; most of the cooking takes place in the residual heat of the stock.  Utterly, utterly scrumptious.

BEEF MINI KOFTAS WITH TAHINI CREAM, Easy-Peasy 

These spicy little barrels of beef go down a storm when dining outdors.  They are full of intense flavours - spicy, herby and meaty - calmed, but not neutered by an unctuous tahini sauce.  Make twice the amount of sauce; it's popular and any leftovers can be used elsewhere.  Most of this recipe is prepped the night before.

Tips:

Transport dips in wide mouthed jars or microwave tops with tight fitting lids.  Cover the top with a double layer of cling film to prevent leaks before attaching lids.

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These recipes have been developed by B  Lee/ Bright Sun Enterprises and may not be reproduced, in any form, without the author's written permission.   

EASY CAJUN CHICKEN, with a help from supermarket friends; easy; frugal; stovetop; air-fryer

Frugal supermarket offers are an opportunity to transform something ordinary into something special...

This feisty, mouthwatering Cajun Chicken looks as if it's been barbequed 
but is an easy stovetop recipe that works in an air-fryer, too
'...Great way to perk up chicken' :Taster

'

Take M&S's Higher Welfare Chicken Legs. They are one of the least popular of the value chicken pieces.  Chicken wings, even though they are slightly more expensive, are the most popular cuts.  Thighs are next...though they are nearly a pound more than legs.  Drumsticks are probably bottom of the list, alongside whole legs.

But when whole legs go on offer -- 600gm/21.2 oz -- for just £1.50 (usually 3 whole legs) it's time to create an interesting blend of flavours that'll knock diners sideways.  In a good way.  

67goingon50 has been testing M&S's Cajun seasoning, a blend of sweet & smoked paprika, mustard, garlic, onions, red peppers, parsley, cayenne, oregano, thyme & fennel.  A 65gm/2.2oz jar is about £2...a bargain compared to the cost of separate ingredients.

So far, the mix has proved a sad substitute for the real thing.  OK, the Cajun seasoning definitely promises layers of flavour but are ultimately disappointing and - dare one say it - slightly dull and boring.   

67 supposes it's aimed at those a bit shy of heat and just want to tantalise the tastebuds a little.

But if you want more than that, a few judicious additions make the seasoning pop like a cork out of champagne -- energetic and satisfying.  If necessary, the heat can easily be softened by stirring in a bit of yoghurt.   

The version shown is cooked on a stovetop but the legs can also be baked or grilled or air-fried.  

Cost: £2

Feeds: 2-3

Ingredients: 

2-3 chicken legs, skin on

juice of half an orange

squeeze of lemon juice

1 tablespoon + 1 tsp Cajun seasoning

1/8 tsp cayenne powder or 1/16 tsp chilli flakes

cooking oil

Garnish: coarsely chopped parsley (not shown)

Method:

PINEAPPLE BLUEBERRY CRUMBLE SQUARES: lower-sugar fresh fruit treat

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A FABULOUS TWIST ON CLASSIC OATMEAL DATE BARS... 

'Magnificantly sweet & melt-in-the-mouth'

67goingon60 wasn't sure how this twist on classic Oatmeal Date Bars would work.  

But as you can see from the comments below, the treats were a hit with local election volunteers and the men working on 67's flat!

Though lower in sugar than similar squares, 67's can't exactly be called healthy.  But they are high in oatmeal, the wonder food which helps lower cholesterol and maintain fibre levels. And the fruit adds a layer of juicy lip-smacking goodness.

Pineapple treats have been popular with 67 tasters recently; this is another one added to the list.

The recipe is very easy; kids studying for their A levels would find the 20 minutes involved both relaxing and rewarding!

Cost: £3'ish (5/23)

Makes: 16-20 (recipe halves nicely)

Ingred: 

   240g/8.4oz pineapple pieces (fresh is great but if tinned, in juice not syrup and well drained)

   1/2 tsp vanilla 

   1 cup/120gm/4.2oz rolled oats or Uber Granola  (67 used English cup measures)
   1 cup/142gm/ 5oz plain spelt or common wheat flour

   generous handful sunflower seeds or chopped nuts (optional) 
   1 pinch salt
   1/2 tsp baking soda
   2/3 cup/127gm/.5oz light brown sugar 

    3.8oz/110g butter, softened 

    100g/3.5oz (2 handfuls) frozen or fresh blueberries

    

Method:

LEMON MINT ANGEL CAKES: VEGAN, indulgence, butter-free, fresh fruit; wallet friendly

Sensational lemon mini-cakes perfect for a (long awaited) spring...

Think they look boring?  Just take a bite and prepare to be blown away!

These gorgeous little mini-angel food cakes are inspired by the beautiful Italian-American chef Giada De Laurentis.

The ingredients for her Lemon Mint Cake are hers; the presentation and a few alterations are 67goingon50's.

67 needed small hand-held treats for political volunteers canvassing in hilly Hampstead.  

But the Blogger was wary of turning a delicate cake into cupcakes.  There was no need to worry.  The results were great:  the interioir was as tender and fluffy as could be expected (in fact, to die for!) with a top unexpectedly deliciously crackly.  

Think they look a bit boring?  Take a bite.

The lemon mint flavours are strong and punchy; 67's glaze - applied with a brush as soon as the cakes come out of the oven - penetrates the interior exquisitely.

The recipe is easy to follow but has a few steps.  A bright tweenager could make them, or act as sous chef. 

Trust 67; the recipe is more than worth it.

And they are not going to cost the earth, in money or fuel.

Cost: £2.75 (5/23)

Makes: 24 mini-cakes; 12 normal cupcakes

Ingreds:

Three eggs whites (yolks will be used later) 
1/2 cup sugar

1/4 cup vegetable oil

(further) 1/2 cup sugar
1/8 teaspoon salt

3 egg yolks

Eight medium mint leaves, veins removed & finely chopped
2 tablespoons lemon juice
1 tablespoon lemon zest

One cup sifted all-purpose flour 

Glaze:

1 tbsp lemon juice

1/2-3/4 cup icing sugar

Equipment:

2x12 hole mini muffin/cupcake moulds or tins, holes 3/4 inch/2cm deep (67 used silicone moulds)

small cupcake liners

Method: