Now that summer is here, what are good, vegetarian/vegan picnic foods that withstand heat? As in won't go bad or melt.
I already have flatbread/foccaccia with toppings that I make, and pickles. Trying to think of others that can be carried around and don't have to be kept in a cooler. Bonus for exotic/international dishes.
19 Comments
aussiefoodieMay 29, 2011
Have you tried Amanda's Radish and Pecan grain salad
http://www.food52.com/recipes...
Or the Parsley Thief's Warm Orzo Salad with Beets and Greens (omitting the cheese)
http://www.food52.com/recipes...
Both fantastic salads that are nice served at room temperature and can easily be vegan.
http://www.food52.com/recipes...
Or the Parsley Thief's Warm Orzo Salad with Beets and Greens (omitting the cheese)
http://www.food52.com/recipes...
Both fantastic salads that are nice served at room temperature and can easily be vegan.
AnitalectricMay 29, 2011
Kayb, tamales sound fantastic... and heat-proof. Thanks for the suggestion! I will get my Grandma's recipe.
susan G.May 28, 2011
I actually prefer the grain salads at room temperature. I think the taste is dulled by being too cold. And veg foods are far less in danger of spoiling than meats. Beans could be a problem, but acid ingredients will protect them, for limited periods of time. Don't leave food in a closed car or trunk. A cooler or cold pack when transporting is practical too.
When in doubt, last resort is peanut butter sandwiches.
When in doubt, last resort is peanut butter sandwiches.
KaybMay 27, 2011
Tamales. A great history of being a workingman's lunch, convenient to carry. Also, multi-grain salad; cook several different grains (bulghur, spelt, quinoa, wheatberries, millet, brown or wild rice, etc.), cool, mix, add dried fruit and a honey balsamic dressing. Good cold, better at room temp.
Helen's A.May 27, 2011
If you have time to do a lot of chopping: http://www.food52.com/recipes...
enbeMay 27, 2011
One of my (many) standbys for summer days is a refreshing cucumber salad:
2 (preferably seedless, but whatever you can get) cucumbers, peeled and sliced as fine as possible
1/2 a small white onion
1/4 cup white wine vinegar
sugar to taste
If you have a mandoline, this takes no more than 5 minutes to prepare and you just need to keep tasting for the vinegar/sugar mix depending on how much cucumber you use. You can slim down this recipe substantially for just one person. It can sit out for quite a while and still be delicious...it actually tastes better after a little time to marinate. Or this tofu (http://www.food52.com/recipes...) which is great cold or hot off the grill and which I have for lunch today myself :)
2 (preferably seedless, but whatever you can get) cucumbers, peeled and sliced as fine as possible
1/2 a small white onion
1/4 cup white wine vinegar
sugar to taste
If you have a mandoline, this takes no more than 5 minutes to prepare and you just need to keep tasting for the vinegar/sugar mix depending on how much cucumber you use. You can slim down this recipe substantially for just one person. It can sit out for quite a while and still be delicious...it actually tastes better after a little time to marinate. Or this tofu (http://www.food52.com/recipes...) which is great cold or hot off the grill and which I have for lunch today myself :)
ChefJuneMay 27, 2011
Thai Pasta Salad. Rice, Garbanzo and Artichoke salad, Tapenade. Ratatouille. Caponata. Salade Nicoise w/o the tuna. Lentil Salad.
The possibilities are endless!
The possibilities are endless!
vvvanessaMay 27, 2011
roasted vegetables can hang out without a cooler. i do big batches of tomatoes, zucchini, eggplant, spring onions (or other), and peppers in the summer.
Sam1148May 27, 2011
A side note: It's interesting that in history most of the dishes mentioned here. Were designed for 'workman' lunches..or traveler meals, in the age before refrigeration.
Hummus, Baba ganoush, Soba, tabouli, etc..etc. Even stuffed grape leaves.
We eat most of those 'cold' now...but originally, they were used because of their ability to transport well without cold.
Hummus, Baba ganoush, Soba, tabouli, etc..etc. Even stuffed grape leaves.
We eat most of those 'cold' now...but originally, they were used because of their ability to transport well without cold.
Summer O.May 27, 2011
Spring rolls or a rice noodle salad? I wrap my spring rolls in wet paper towels.
Sam1148May 27, 2011
@anita
Most of the dishes posted here won't really be hurt by heat.
But take a look at insulated bento boxes. Such as "Mr Bento".
http://www.amazon.com/gp...
and other insulated bento box options.
Most of the dishes posted here won't really be hurt by heat.
But take a look at insulated bento boxes. Such as "Mr Bento".
http://www.amazon.com/gp...
and other insulated bento box options.
PanfusineMay 27, 2011
Tamarind rice.. Not sure if the recipe is around on Fodd52, but can give you leads if interested..
Summer O.May 27, 2011
Yes indeed a quinoa tabouleh! Oh daughter (age 5) loves couscous and wanted it for her b-day party, we were out and I substituted quinoa for it with dried apricots, very green olives, toasted almonds, spring onions, cilantro, basil, olive oil and lemon juice.
AnitalectricMay 27, 2011
These all sound scrumptious but I was thinking more along the lines of things you can carry around in the heat for hours before you eat them and flavor won't go off. Cold salads might not work.
Sam1148May 27, 2011
@syonia: Quinoa tabooli!
I made that last week..it was fantastic. Yes, thumbs up!
I made that last week..it was fantastic. Yes, thumbs up!
Sam1148May 27, 2011
@summer of eggplant. I was going for the same thing but got too verbose.
Still: The Kewpie product I mentioned is excellent for noodles, Goma Mae (sp) Spinich.
I used to make the dressing from scratch but that product is just right...the SO loves it and it's quick---but a bit pricey as the spinach really soaked it up. Still it tastes fantastic and makes him happy.
Still: The Kewpie product I mentioned is excellent for noodles, Goma Mae (sp) Spinich.
I used to make the dressing from scratch but that product is just right...the SO loves it and it's quick---but a bit pricey as the spinach really soaked it up. Still it tastes fantastic and makes him happy.
beyondceleryMay 27, 2011
Quinoa tabooli! That's one of my favorites. There are lots of variations on the Italian Insalata di Risotto that are vegetarian. Both of those will stay good in heat for a few hours. Don't forget the good old-fashioned peasants' meal: bread or crackers, cheese, fresh veggies, and olive tapenade. Alright, so maybe peasants wouldn't have the tapenade; but you should.
Sam1148May 27, 2011
A cold. Corn, black bean salad..with corn kernels, A can of black beans (rinsed). With a dressing of lime juice/olive oil, cumin. Cilantro (optional) or parsley and sliced green onions.
Lightly blanched asparagus with a vinaigrette.
Cold noodles (soba, buck wheat noodles) with a sesame seed dressing.
Cold spinach (blanched, drained and chilled) with sesame dressing.
(Kewpie makes a great bottled dressing..or make your own google Goma dressing).
http://1.bp.blogspot.com/-CltD4R3fi7E/TcM5HIKnRbI/AAAAAAAABKA/exfzg5KnOX0/s1600/Blogging+008+copy.jpg
Available in Asian stores.
Quick pickled cucumber slices: 1 part rice or apple cider vinegar, 1 part water, 1.3 part sugar (optional), a bit of salt, and peppercorns, 1/3 part pickled ginger--let sit at least 3 hours or overnight. (english cucumbers pealed/stripped..and sliced into disks).
(can be made into a seaweed salad with adding rehydrate wakeme seaweed).
Hummus or baba ganoush.
Lightly blanched asparagus with a vinaigrette.
Cold noodles (soba, buck wheat noodles) with a sesame seed dressing.
Cold spinach (blanched, drained and chilled) with sesame dressing.
(Kewpie makes a great bottled dressing..or make your own google Goma dressing).
http://1.bp.blogspot.com/-CltD4R3fi7E/TcM5HIKnRbI/AAAAAAAABKA/exfzg5KnOX0/s1600/Blogging+008+copy.jpg
Available in Asian stores.
Quick pickled cucumber slices: 1 part rice or apple cider vinegar, 1 part water, 1.3 part sugar (optional), a bit of salt, and peppercorns, 1/3 part pickled ginger--let sit at least 3 hours or overnight. (english cucumbers pealed/stripped..and sliced into disks).
(can be made into a seaweed salad with adding rehydrate wakeme seaweed).
Hummus or baba ganoush.
Summer O.May 27, 2011
Sesame noodles. I would reference Frank Bruni's latest book.
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