August 9, 2007
Babe loves nothing more than a picnic in the park on a balmy summer afternoon. Such days are rare lately, but when they do come around, she jumps at the chance to share good food, drinks and discourse with her best pals. Packing a portable vegan feast that her meat-loving friends can tolerate takes a little bit of ingenuity, however. So Babe's sniffed out a few essentials she thinks make for an idyllic veggie picnic. Ingredients can be found in most health food stores, Whole Foods or Trader Joe's.
The eats
"Chicken" salad -- Mix 1 lb. package of "chicken"-flavored seitan strips, 1/4 cup grated carrot, 1/3 cup minced celery, small handful of pecans and 1/3 cup Nayonaise, salt and pepper to taste. Serve with crackers or on pita
The "B"ALT -- Lightlife Smart Bacon, avocado, lettuce and tomato on hearty bread such as Ezekiel 4:9 Organic Sprouted 100% Whole Grain Flourless Bread
Rainbow pasta salad -- one 16 oz. package of tricolor spiral pasta, cooked and chilled, 1/2 cup each sliced green, red, and yellow peppers and green onion, one pint of sliced grape tomatoes and 3 tbs. Soymage Vegan Parmesan. For dressing, mix 1/2 cup extra virgin cold-pressed olive oil, 2 tbs. red wine vinegar and 2 tbs. minced garlic. Toss all ingredients together
Cole slaw -- 1/2 head each of shredded red and green cabbage, 1 cup shredded carrots, 3 tbs. raisins, one finely shredded green apple, 2 tbs. apple cider vinegar, dash of salt and pepper and 1/2 to 3/4 cup Nayonaise
Garden of Eatin' salt and vinegar potato chips
Since Babe has a major sweet tooth, she always brings chocolate -- pick up a package of Newman-Os sandwich cookies, or whip up a batch of Chocolate-Banana Cupcakes with Peanut Butter Frosting (make sure the sugar is vegan!
Thirst quenchers
Frey Vineyards Organic Pinot Noir -- check their website for distributors in your state
If you don't want vino (and if that's the case, what's wrong with you??), try Honest Tea Sublime Mate -- a tangy, USDA-certified organic alternative to plain old Lipton
Other necessities
Carry the goods in a sturdy organic tote ($29.99 at Gaiam), or if you really
want to go all out, order the Picnic Time Merlot Wicker Bamboo picnic basket, which comes with table cloth, glasses, plates and utensils for $99.99 at comfortchannel.
And don't forget protection! Keep the bugs at bay and block damaging
sunrays with SunSwat SPF15 Insect Repellent, available for $9.99 at Pangea.
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