The Kitchen Picnic Perfect Food

SOUR CHERRY BULGUR SALAD

Steps:

• Add 2 cups water to a medium saucepot. Season with salt and drizzle in some olive oil, then stir in the bulgur. Bring a boil over high heat, then cover, lower to a simmer and cook until the grains are tender, about 1 hour. Allow bulgur to come to room temperature.
• Combine the bulgur wheat with the cherries, parsley, walnuts, red onion and dill in a large bowl, reserving about 1 tablespoon of each herb for garnish. Gently mix to combine. Add the extra-virgin olive oil, lemon juice and grated garlic and season to taste. Transfer to a serving bowl and garnish with feta, reserved herbs and a drizzle of olive oil.

WALNUT THYME CORNBREAD

Steps:

• Preheat the oven to 350 degrees F. Spray a muffin pan with nonstick spray.
• Combine cornbread mix, walnuts and thyme in a large bowl. Whisk together the sour cream, milk, honey and egg in another bowl. Stir the wet mixture into the dry mixture until just combined.
• Scoop the batter into the prepared muffin pan. Bake until golden brown, about 20 minutes. Serve warm.

OUR 40+ BEST PICNIC FOOD IDEAS (+CHICKEN SALAD SANDWICH)

Steps:

• Combine all ingredients.
• Serve on thick slices of bread.

EASY PICKLES

Steps:

• In a nonreactive stockpot over medium-high heat, bring the vinegar, water, sugar, salt, peppercorns and bay leaf (and chile flakes, if using) to a boil, stirring until the sugar dissolves. Add the cucumbers (or pineapple), then remove from the heat and let cool completely. Transfer to an airtight container and refrigerate until serving. Drain before serving. (Pickles keep, refrigerated, about 2 weeks.)