EatSavvy Blog

Posts filed under Lunch. Show all blog posts.

Topic — Lunch,

A Picnic for the Planet

April 17, 2012
Jan Scott

Picnic season has finally arrived, and the timing couldn’t be better seeing that this coming Sunday is Earth Day. I plan on packing up some good eats and a cozy blanket, and hitting an outdoor space with the kids for a little croquet and lounging on the lawn.

My plan is for our picnic to be a totally eco-friendly and tasty outing. Here are some ways in which I hope to achieve that:

For starters, we won’t travel too far from home. It defeats the purpose of trying to save the environment if we drive to a far-away location. The local park is a great spot, or we may just use our own backyard and invite a friend or two over to join us.
I’m not going to go to the expense of purchasing biodegradable plates and napkins, but I will definitely pack reusable ones. Glass mason jars are perfect vessels for lemonade and iced tea, not to mention bean and lentil salads and individual desserts. Cotton napkins are ideal, but if you don’t have any, roll up a few extra tea towels and use those instead.
My favourite picnic foods include pressed sandwiches and/or baguettes, cured meats, chopped fruits, hearty salads, cookies and drinks. All of those items will be stashed in my bag for they travel well, and are practically perfect finger foods.
The electronic devices are staying home. No ‘apples’ or ‘blackberries’, unless they’re they edible kind, of course.

Are you doing anything to celebrate Earth Day this year? What is your favourite picnic fare?

Jan Scott is an event planner, food writer and the face behind the family food blog www.familybites.ca. She's also the mom of two school-aged boys, and when she's not planning a party or writing about feeding a family she can be found in her kitchen whipping up lots of yummy things for her boys to eat.

Comments (0) | Tagged under food, activities, earth, picnic

More by this author — Jan Scott
More on this topic — Lunch,

Topic — Lunch,

Food in Jars: Chili with Cornbread Topping

February 02, 2012
Jan Scott

Food in Jars: Chili with Cornbread Topping

The last time I wrote about serving food in jars, I was asked to keep the ideas coming. With the Super Bowl only a few days away, I thought it might be fun to add a twist to my traditional chili and cornbread recipe. It’s great for the big game day, weekend entertaining or even regular weeknight dinners.

The assembly couldn’t be easier, which makes them a perfect option for entertaining. Make the chili in advance and scoop it into the jars. Then, assemble the cornbread topping, pour it on top of the chili and bake it just before serving. The time in the oven will ensure the chili is warmed through evenly, and the glass vessels will keep your mess to a minimum.

Baking time for the cornbread will depend on the size of jar you use. Large 500 ml jars make a ‘man size’ serving, but small 125 ml jars are the perfect addition to a buffet filled with other foods, or even as an appetizer before the main course is served.

Tell us, do you like to do food in jars? If so, what’s your favourite meal to serve this way?

Any of these chili recipes would work well for this idea:

To see the full printable recipe, click here: Easy Chili & Cornbread

Comments (0) | Tagged under recipes, bread, appetizers