Picnic Ideas Please

[cymrudenver]

Tomorrow I'm taking my three children to the zoo then next week my husband and are are going to a rodeo with them all and will be away from home for over 12 hrs.

I've never packed a picnic that did not involve sandwiches and goldfish so am a little nervous that they will get hungry and I'll not be able to find safe food at a rodeo ground.

I'm thinking plenty of fruit, potato chips, yogurts, apple sauce - but I still feel it's lacking "substance" you know?

Ideas? I'm still very new to this, I'm on day 3 of living gluten-free - but whose counting right

[missy'smom]

You could pack cooked, cut hot dogs without the bun. I sometimes slice and pan fry them and add a bit of BBQsauce in the last 30 seconds of cooking. You can cut them into octopus or fish shape for fun. Hard boiled eggs, chicken nuggets, ham or turkey slices, cheese(cubes, Babybell, or other), meatballs even do well and taste fine without warming up. Just add an icepack or freeze juiceboxes or water bottle.

[kbtoyssni]

Crackers or corn chips topped with cheese, deli meat, tomato, lettuce. Spring rolls. Cake. String cheese.

[cymrudenver]

I'm nervous about buying deli meat, is there a safe way to do it? Do you buy the pre-packaged stuff or ask the store to use a different slicer? Sorry, I'm still learning.

[missy'smom]

The Hormel Naturals prepackaged line is gluten-free. There are many others that are gluten-free too. Maybe others can recommend some.

[sickchick]

Rice cracker with hummus?

Hard boiled eggs? What about tuna or chicken salad on brown rice cakes? You could have that and coleslaw on the side. Fruits. Grapes are yum and pack well.

have fun!

[kbtoyssni]

I'm nervous about buying deli meat, is there a safe way to do it? Do you buy the pre-packaged stuff or ask the store to use a different slicer? Sorry, I'm still learning.

I should have been more specific. I only buy the prepacked stuff - Hormel (labeled gluten-free) or Oscar Meyer (owned by Kraft), etc. I only buy the deli sliced stuff at my gluten-free store where all their meat is gluten-free.

Pasta salad or egg salad or tuna salad is good, too. I eat egg and tuna salad on corn tortillas or lettuce wraps or just scoop it with corn chips.

[Phyllis28]

Cold chicken. You can grill or bake it before you go. There are several receipe for chicken fingers that I have seen search this site and the internet. Also, you might consider taking along Peanut Butter and Jelly on rice cake or gluten free bread. It it best to make these just before eating. It you premake them they are a little soggy. Gluten free bars (Lara, Enjoy Life and Glutino are examples).

[texas]

Boar's head products have gluten free deli meats. I ask the clerk to wipe down the slicer to prevent cross contamination. I usually get a pound and freeze for later use. Hormel and Jennio turkey are also gluten free.

[purple]

A whole bunch of great ideas!...I would add mini muffins with applesauce, peanut butter or fruit in them. Also take some wet wipes for all those finger foods.

[sickchick]

Oh! That reminds me (thank you purple) apple slices with peanut butter are good too.

[cymrudenver]

Thank you all so very much, I have been to the store and bought my new gluten-free cooler and plenty of goodies to fill it with, I'm excited rather than anxious now, thanks again.

[Guest AutumnE]

I saw you went shopping already but I thought I would mention taco salad. We make the meat, onions, seasoning and beans and put them in 2 big thermoses to keep them warm. On the side we have tomatoes, olives, lettuce (bagged usually because its quick), shredded cheese and taco chips. If your able to eat dairy sour cream in the cooler on the side would be good too and just mix it all up when your ready to eat. I take big plastic bowls for everyone to eat out of.

I see your son is allergic to corn, maybe a potato chip of some kind instead of taco chips for him?

[purple]

I saw you went shopping already but I thought I would mention taco salad. We make the meat, onions, seasoning and beans and put them in 2 big thermoses to keep them warm. On the side we have tomatoes, olives, lettuce (bagged usually because its quick), shredded cheese and taco chips. If your able to eat dairy sour cream in the cooler on the side would be good too and just mix it all up when your ready to eat. I take big plastic bowls for everyone to eat out of.

I see your son is allergic to corn, maybe a potato chip of some kind instead of taco chips for him?

Riceworks chips are good!

[JulesNZN]

I'm nervous about buying deli meat, is there a safe way to do it? Do you buy the pre-packaged stuff or ask the store to use a different slicer? Sorry, I'm still learning.

Boars Head Deli Meat specifies which meat is gluten free- you can go online or get the ingredients brochure from your deli. Buy Large leaf lettuc and put your meat and condiments on that and roll it together and wrap it with a napkin and it is suprisingly filling (make sure you don't eat the napking

I have found that it makes a decent sandwich substitute.

Also go to your local supermarket and health food store and ask for wheat free french rolls. They tend to hold together better than the bread but they must be toasted first so condiments are helpful with the aesthetic of the sandwich.

Good LucK!!