When planning a summertime picnic there are a few staples that always make the cut. In my family they include potato salad and hot dogs (if my dad is cooking it’s potato salad and Kielbasa sausage). The crowd-pleasing summertime foods are favorites in many families namely because they are simple to prepare and can feed a ton of people without too much effort.
The following recipes might be a tad labor intensive, but the time you put into them will win you raves from your guests. The recipe for Kielbasa and Peppers can do double duty as an appetizer or a hearty sandwich filling. Meanwhile, the Potato Salad recipe is a delicious addition to any picnic. Just remember not to expose it to direct sunlight for an extended amount of time since it does contain mayonnaise.
GERMAN POTATO SALAD
Ingredients:
8 to 10 red potatoes
2 to 4 russet potatoes, pared
18 slices thin-sliced bacon, chopped
1 onion, thinly sliced
7 hard-cooked eggs
1 can (6 ounces) olives, sliced
1 cup sour cream
2 to 2-1/2 cups mayonnaise
Salt
Directions:
Cut potatoes into quarters and cook until just done. Drain, cool, and dice.
Cook bacon until crisp. Remove; save 1 tablespoon of drippings.
Cook onion in bacon drippings until clear; drain.
Separate egg whites and yolks; chop whites and crumble yolks.
In a large bowl, add potatoes, bacon, onion, egg whites, olives, sour cream, mayonnaise and salt; mix gently.
Top with egg yolks.
Chill.
Serves 16.
KIELBASA AND PEPPERS
Ingredients:
1 package (16 ounces) Polska Kielbasa sausage
2 tablespoons butter
3 cloves garlic, minced
1 medium onion, quartered
2 bell peppers (green, red, orange or yellow), thinly sliced
Salt and pepper, to taste
Directions:
Grill or broil whole sausage, then cut into 1/4-inch thick diagonal slices.
Heat a large skillet over medium-high heat, add butter, garlic and onion; saute until onion is lightly browned and translucent.
Add peppers and continue to saute until peppers are cooked but still crisp.
Add sausage; cook on high heat.
Season with salt and pepper.
Serves 4.
Related Articles:
Summer Picnic Food: Kicked Up Sandwiches and Chips
Outdoor Dining: Three-Course Simple Summer Meal
Healthy Grilling: Super Summer Salmon Salad
Make a Watermelon Ice Cream Cake and other Cool Summer Treats
Kids in the Kitchen: Sweet and Simple Strawberry Treats
Fourth of July Picnic Favorites: Super Steak Sandwiches and Strawberry Watermelon Salad
Watermelon Spinach Salad with Poppy Seed Vinaigrette
Pairing Chicken with Summer’s Harvest–Peaches and Cherries