Summer is the time for picnics. Appetizers work great for picnics because they are prepared beforehand, do not require plates or silverware, and everyone loves them. Cheese cubes are always easy to prepare. You can also roll up deli ham into tubes after spreading them with cream cheese. Chips and dips make excellent choices for picnics, as do shrimp rings with cocktail sauce.

Hummus spread on wedges of pita bread is nice, as are containers of fresh fruit. It is up to you whether you want a sauce for dipping the fruit or not. Bowls of olives are especially fun for the little ones, who like to stick them on their fingertips.

Cold frittatas, mini quiches and other egg dishes are always tasty. Tortillas can be rolled up and sliced into pinwheels after you layer them with spinach, cream cheese, hummus, tomatoes or anything else your family enjoys.

Finger sandwiches are fun. You can put peanut butter and jelly on a slice of bread and roll it up instead of folding it. Small sandwiches with tuna salad or chicken salad are fun to munch. Cut them into quarters to make them closer to bite size.

For a few ideas to please those family members who may be a bit picky, you may have to plan ahead. Try some of the following ideas and see if they do not enjoy them.

Salad on a Stick

Do you have kids who are not fond of salad? Try Salad on a Stick. Everyone likes to eat food on a stick. Gather together the ingredients you want to use, like lettuce, cherry tomatoes, cucumber slices and so on. Chop them up and let everyone make their own salad on a stick by arranging them on a bamboo skewer. Serve dressing on the side so the ingredients can be dipped.

Deviled Eggs

Deviled eggs are simple to make and they are usually one of the first appetizers to disappear. Make some for your next picnic and let everyone enjoy them while the rest of the food is being set up. There are a lot of deviled egg recipes to choose from, ranging from the simple to the elaborate. You can make them savory or spicy. There really are a lot of deviled egg variations you can try.

Recipe for Cheese Straws

This delicious snack is great for all ages.

What You Need

• 8 ounces Cheddar cheese, shredded
• 1/2 cup butter, softened
• 1 cup all purpose flour
• 1/4 teaspoon salt

How to Make It

Preheat your oven to 450 degrees Fahrenheit. Mix the cheese and butter together in a bowl. Blend in flour and salt until it forms a dough. Divide the dough into 6 portions and roll each portion into a ball. Roll each ball into a long, slender hose-like shape. Cut each length into 4 pieces. Place the cheese straws on a baking sheet and place in the hot oven for around 8 minutes, or until golden brown.

There are many easy party appetizers that you can make ahead of time. If you are looking for tasty summer appetizer recipes, look for recipes that use seasonal produce to make them extra special. Fresh fruit and vegetables are always a hit when they are served in season when they have the most flavor.

EasyAppetizerRecipes.net – You Make the Appetizers, We Help You Make Them Delicious

Nice summer salad that is perfect any time, as well as for special occasions like picnics, potlucks, and backyard barbecues. Summer vegetables combined with sweet potatoes are tossed with a zesty vinaigrette. Zucchini, bell pepper, corn, scallions and cilantro highlight this sweet potato salad that can be prepared well in advance.

Steaming is preferable to boiling if you want to keep more of the nutrients intact. Place the potato pieces in a steaming basket and steam above boiling water. Roasting the sweet potato chunks is also a desirable method of cooking. Place the chunks on a baking dish and place in the oven at 350 for 45 minutes or until tender.

Additionally, roasting the corn here is a nice touch and adds nice flavor. Strip the corn from several ears of corn and place in a shallow baking dish. Add a tablespoon of your favorite olive or vegetable oil and roast in the oven until the natural sugars begin to caramelize and the corn starts to brown. Drain the corn on paper towels or in a strainer for a few minutes and add to the salad as instructed.

Roasting whole ears on the grill is also a great idea. Roast a few extra ears and save to make potato salad with the following day. Simply cut the roasted kernels from the ear with a sharp knife.

Tex-Mex Sweet Potato Salad with Zucchini, Bell Pepper, and Corn

Ingredients:

2-1/2 pounds Sweet Potatoes, cut in pieces

Vinaigrette Dressing:
1/3 cup Olive or Vegetable Oil
1/4 cup Red Wine Vinegar
1 tablespoon Ground Cumin
2 Garlic Cloves, crushed
1-1/2 teaspoons Coarse Salt
1/2 teaspoon Fresh Ground Black Pepper

Vegetables:
2 cups diced Zucchini
1 Red Bell Pepper, thinly sliced
1-1/2 cups Corn
2/3 cup sliced Scallions
1/3 cup chopped Cilantro

Toppers:
6 Bacon Slices, crisped and crumbled

Preparation:

1. Add the sweet potato pieces to large saucepan or stockpot. Cover with water and bring to a boil.
2. Cover, reduce heat to medium, and cook 20 minutes.
3. Add the olive oil, red wine vinegar, ground cumin, crushed garlic, coarse salt and fresh ground black pepper to bowl. Whisk to combine.
4. Drain the potatoes in colander. Place hot potatoes in bowl and toss with half the dressing.
5. Cover and refrigerate the potatoes to chill.
6. When ready to serve, add the zucchini, red bell pepper, corn, scallions, and cilantro.
7. Toss with the remaining vinaigrette.
8. Top individual servings with crumbled bacon.

Sweet potatoes are delicious and healthy. Check out our growing collection of sweet potato recipes representing the best the culinary world has to offer. Find the perfect potato salad recipe to serve at your next family get together.