A Summer Family Picnic & Grandma’s Picnic Chicken Recipe

We love having picnics in the summer, it’s a great way to have dinner with the kids. The whole family gets together to eat delicious food and play fun games in a relaxed atmosphere. It doesn’t take more than a picnic basket and a few food items to organize your very own. Picnics can be spontaneous on a warm sunny afternoon or an organized extended family affair planned far in advance. Here are a few things to include in:

Tips for planning a family picnic

A Well-packed Cooler Lots of fruit, fruit salad Veggies and dip*, salads Sandwiches or Picnic chicken (recipe below) Drinks, lemonade, iced tea, water Napkins Cups, plates, utensils Multi-purpose knife Water bottles, one per family member A damp face-cloth in a resealable plastic bag Corkscrew, bottle opener Tablecloth/ picnic blanket Sun hats, caps Sunscreen, lip balm Insect repellant Sweaters, sweatshirts Various balls, frisbees, rackets Books, playing cards

Grandma’s Picnic Chicken Recipe

Fried chicken is a family favorite. This baked variety is a lighter version that is quick to make, freezes well and is easy on the budget. Make your picnic chicken ahead and freeze until you need it for the picnic. It will thaw in the cooler.

1. Skin, rinse and pat dry 12 thighs and 12 drumsticks; set aside.
2. Place 1/2 cup butter on each of two cookie sheets and melt in 375 degree oven. Don’t let the butter burn.
3. In a medium sized baggie, combine 1 1/2 cups dry breadcrumbs, 2 tsp salt, 1 tsp each thyme, majoram, rosemary, pepper and 2 tsp paprika; set aside.
4. Beat 3 eggs and 3 Tbsp cold water in a flat dish; set aside.
5. Roll each piece of chicken in the eggs, then shake them in the crumbs to coat.
6. Place chicken on cookie sheet, turning once to coat with melted butter.
7. Cook 30 minutes, turn chicken pieces, cook another 30 minutes.
8. Freeze. Thaw in cooler for picnic