Recipes for Perfect Picnic Picks

Perk up your next picnic with these deliciously different sandwiches and salads that are super easy to prepare and can be made ahead.

Condiments like Aunt Nellie’s Sliced Pickled Beets make the difference between a good sandwich and a great sandwich. The sweet-tangy homemade flavor makes a perfect base for quick relish to embellish all kinds of sandwiches.

For a Greek-inspired relish, chop and toss the beets with marinated artichoke hearts and olives. Add to a basic turkey sandwich for a gourmet twist. Wrap up brunch favorites smoked salmon and cream cheese in a flour tortilla with a chopped pickled beet-red onion-caper relish. Delicious any time!

Pantry staples, such as READ 3 or 4 Bean Salad and German Potato Salad, are handy head starts to fabulous salads. A can of bean salad, cooked tortellini, veggies and basil pesto make a picnic-perfect salad in minutes. German potato salad paired with grainy mustard and sliced steak becomes a rustic entree salad to serve atop convenient packaged greens.

Patio party or potluck in the park, these new picnic picks will bring compliments. For additional recipes and serving suggestions, visit www.auntnellies.com or www.READSalads.com.

Picnic-Wiches With Greek Artichoke-Beet Relish

Servings: 6
Preparation Time: 20 minutes

Ingredients:

• 1 jar (16 ounces) Aunt Nellie’s Sliced Pickled Beets
• 1 jar (about 6 ounces) marinated artichoke hearts
• 1/2 cup pitted kalamata or ripe olives, sliced
• 3 tbsp. sliced green onions
• Freshly ground black pepper to taste
• 6 romaine lettuce leaves
• 1 pound thinly sliced deli turkey
• 6 ciabatta or sandwich rolls, sliced horizontally in half
• 1/3 cup crumbled feta cheese
• 1/4 cup pine nuts, toasted

Directions:

Drain beets and artichoke hearts, reserving 1/4 cup liquid from each. Coarsely chop beets and artichoke hearts. Combine beets, artichokes, olives and green onions in medium bowl; set aside.

Whisk together reserved beet and artichoke liquids in small bowl. Pour over beet mixture; toss gently to coat. Season with black pepper, if desired.

Layer lettuce and turkey on bottom halves of rolls. Top with relish, feta cheese and pine nuts. Top with remaining halves of rolls. Wrap tightly; chill up to 4 hours until ready to serve. Serve with remaining relish.

Bean, Tortellini & Pesto Salad

Servings: 6
Preparation Time: 15 minutes
Cooking Time: 10 minutes

Ingredients:

• 2 cans (15 ounces each) READ 3 or 4 Bean Salad
• 1/4 cup prepared basil pesto
• 1/2 tsp. salt (optional)
• 1 package (9 ounces) refrigerated tortellini, any variety

Directions:

Drain bean salad; reserve 1/2 cup liquid. Combine reserved liquid, pesto and salt, if desired; set aside.

Cook tortellini according to package directions; drain, rinse in cold water and drain again. Add pesto dressing; toss to coat. Add stir-ins if desired. Toss with bean salad.

Serve at room temperature or chilled.

Optional stir-ins: grape tomatoes or halved cherry tomatoes, chopped bell pepper, and thinly sliced green onion

Note: Recipe can be doubled.

Smoked Salmon & Beet Wraps

Servings: 4
Preparation Time: 30 minutes

Ingredients:

• 1 jar (16 ounces) Aunt Nellie’s Sliced Pickled Beets
• 2 tbsp. finely chopped red onion
• 1-2 tbs. capers
• 1-2 tsp. lemon zest
• 1/2 cup spreadable chive cream cheese
• 2 large, soft flour tortillas (10-12-inch diameter)
• 8 slices smoked salmon
• 1/2 cup baby spinach leaves

Directions:

Drain beets; chop. Discard beet liquid. In medium bowl, combine beets, onion, capers and lemon zest.

Spread 1/4 cup cream cheese evenly over each tortilla, leaving 1-inch border. Place 4 salmon slices over cream cheese; press lightly. Top each with spinach. Sprinkle beet mixture evenly over spinach.

Roll up. Wrap each roll tightly in plastic wrap. Refrigerate up to 4 hours.

To serve, remove plastic wrap; cut each tortilla into 2 pieces.

Note: Can be made with other meats.

Steak & German Potato Salad

Servings: 4
Preparation Time: 15 minutes
Cooking Time: 15 minutes

Ingredients:

• 1 can (15 ounces) READ German Potato Salad
• 2 tbsp. coarse ground Dijon-style mustard
• 1/2 pound boneless top sirloin steak, cut 1 inch thick
• 1 bag (10 ounces) hearts of romaine lettuce

Directions:

Stir together potato salad and mustard in medium bowl; set aside.

Heat medium nonstick skillet over medium heat until hot. Place steak in skillet and cook about 15 minutes until medium rare doneness (145 degrees); turn occasionally.

Cool steak. Carve diagonally across grain into 1/4-inch-thick slices; reserve. Just before serving, gently toss steak with potato salad. Serve over greens.

Note: Recipe can be doubled.