Patio Picnic! Refreshing Recipes That Will Please a Crowd!

Are you having friends over this weekend and you plan to eat outside? Patio Picnics are fun for all. The fresh food and cold drinks taste amazing in the warm sun. The long summer day allows friends and family to linger and relax with you. It's the kind of day you wish would never end.

With the understanding that summer days are long it's a good idea to put out lot of food for your guests. Summer Casual has put together a menu inspired by Pinterest that should please all and send them home with full bellies and happy memories.

Italian Sandwich Rollups
Recipe by Kara Harvey
This is a fantastic recipe for when you are entertaining a lot of friends and family.

Ingredients

• 24 Slices Genoa Salami
• 24 Slices Deli Ham
• 1 Pack Sliced Pepperoni
• 1/4 Cup Diced Banana Peppers
• 1 Head Lettuce
• 2 Tomatoes, Diced
• 1 tbsp Italian Seasoning
• 1/4 cup Diced Red Peppers
• 8 Tortillas
• 8 oz Cream Cheese
• 16 slices Provolone cheese

Method

• Spread cream cheese on each tortilla.
• Divide the salami, ham, pepperoni and cheese for 8 rolls; place on each tortilla.
• Put a few pieces of lettuce on top of each.
• Mix the banana peppers, tomatoes and red peppers and put some on each tortilla.
• Carefully roll each tortilla. Insert 6 toothpicks into each rollup.
• Cut into pieces so that you have 6 per rollup.
• Place on a platter and ENJOY!

Watermelon Wedges with Basil, Olive Oil & Sea Salt
Recipe on Vogue.com
This recipe is delicious and refreshing. The bronze fennel in the original recipe seems a bit fancy. Summer Casual suggests substituting this ingredient with chopped fresh basil. And, if you want to amp up the sweet and salty even more throw on a generous pinch of crumbled feta.

Ingredients

• 1/2 Medium Watermelon, Cut into 1" Wedges
• Extra-virgin Olive Oil
• Course Sea Salt
• Freshly Ground Black Pepper
• 1/4 Cup of Chopped Fresh Basil
• 1/4 Cup of Crumbled Feta (optional)

Method

• Arrange the watermelon slices on a large platter. Drizzle them generously with oil.
• Sprinkle the watermelon with a pinch of sea salt, pepper and basil.
• Optional: Add a generous pinch of crumbled feta.

Broccoli & Cauliflower Salad
Recipe from CookingClassy.com
This salad is packed full of flavor and will go quickly. If you're feeding a crowd you may want to double the recipe.

Ingredients

• 8 slices 8 oz bacon (skip if you're vegetarian, it's still delicious!)
• 4 cups Raw Broccoli Florets, Small or Cut Into Pieces
• 4 cups Raw Cauliflower Florets, Small or Cut Into Pieces
• 1/4 cup Red Onion
• 1/4 cup Honey
• 1/2 Cup Mayonnaise
• 1 tbsp. Granulated sugar
• 1/4 tsp Salt
• 2 tbsp. Red Wine Vinegar
• 1 1/2 Cups Cubed Colby Jack Cheese
• 3/4 cup Greek yogurt, fat-free plain

Method

• Put the broccoli, cauliflower , cheese cubes and onion in a large bowl. Set aside.
• In a small bowl mix the mayo, honey, sugar, salt, vinegar and yogurt.
• Pour the wet mixture over the vegetables and toss.
• Chill for 1 hour for the flavors to merge. Then enjoy!

Spinach Avocado Dip
Recipe by SweetAsHoney Clean Eating Recipes
A healthy version of spinach dip made with luscious avocados!

Ingredients

• 2 Avocado, large ripe
• 10 Cherry tomatoes
• 1/4 Cup Fresh Coriander
• 1 Garlic Clove
• 1/4 Cup Cooked White Kidney Beans
• 1/2 Cup Fresh Spinach
• 2 tbsp Lime juice
• 3/4 Cup Plain Greek Yogurt
• 5 Tbsp Olive Oil
• 1/2 Tsp. Sea Salt
• Bag of Your Favorite Tortilla Chips

Method

• Throw all ingredients (except the chips) into a food processor. Mix until dip looks smooth and creamy.
• Enjoy with your chips! Also, try on a burger instead of ketchup. It's just delicious!

No Bake Summer Icebox Cake
Recipe from CakesCottage
Y-U-M! Perfect for July 4th!

Ingredients

• 1 1/2 Cups Fresh Blueberries
• 3 Cups Fresh Strawberries
• 12 Oz Cool whip
• 2 Oz White Chocolate Chips
• 19 oz Graham Crackers
• 8 oz Cream Cheese
• 2 1/2 Cups Milk
• 2 (3.4 oz) Packages Vanilla Instant Pudding

Method

• Beat cream cheese and dry pudding mixes in large bowl with mixer until blended.
• Gradually beat in milk.
• Gently stir in Cool Whip or homemade whipped cream, reserving ½ cup.
• Spread a thin layer of cool whip in a 9x13 pan just to coat the bottom.
• Layer 5 graham crackers across the center of the pan, then 2 more, breaking them as needed to fit around the top and bottom edges.
• Spread a layer of pudding mixture over grahams and top with a layer of blueberries and sliced strawberries.
• Place graham crackers on top of berries, then pudding mixture, then layer of berries again.
• Repeat the graham-pudding-berries layers 1 more time (3 times total) and you should reach the top of the pan.
• Refrigerate for at least 4 hours or overnight until the graham crackers have softened completely.
• When ready to serve, melt white chocolate chips in a bowl as directed on package and drizzle over dessert.
• You can use a spoon to drizzle it over the tops of the berries or you can put it into a small zip-top bag and snip of the corner for an easy "piping bag."

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Entertaining a Crowd and Running Out of Seating?

If you have a large yard and entertain a lot you definitely want to have plenty of seating. Why not move the "open concept" floor plan that's been so popular indoors to your yard? This is easily with a large Pembrey Dining Set and matching Pembrey Chat Set. The two sets will provide you with a traditional dining area as well as a space for lounging.

The shown Pembrey Dining Set seats 8 and has an umbrella hole so you can provide shade for you and your guests.

Available Online at the Home Depot.

The Pembrey Chat Set with Moss Cushions can easily seat 4. You can also purchase matching ottomans for extra seating or to put your feet up.

Available Online at the Home Depot.