What about going on a family hike together and then having easy dinner recipes at the scenic location of your choice? It's just starting to cool off from the heat of the day and it's a great time to get some exercise outdoors. Taking a nice walk to your dinner location will give everyone a good appetite for dinner. Choose a location that is a good match for the age and fitness level of your family. Drive to a scenic trailhead and hike until you find a great spot to spread out and eat. Even a walk to a local park can be fun. They usually have picnic tables and playground equipment for the little ones to play on. If you're lucky enough to live near the ocean or a lake, take a hike along the water's edge. Walking in sand is great exercise.
What you need:
1) Good hiking shoes for everyone. It's no fun if someone's feet are hurting.
2) Sunscreen - even though it might not be super hot, the sun can still burn.
3) Bug spray - if appropriate for your area.
4) Drinks - plenty of water for everyone and other beverages if you want to carry them.
5) Portable cooler to tote your dinner.
6) Jackets in case it gets cool on the way back.
7) A blanket or beach towels to sit on when you get there.
8) The family dog, leash, poop bags, portable water dish, water and treats.
9) The family, with a spirit for adventure (or as good of attitudes as can be mustered if you have teens).
10) Food! Bring wraps for dinner, trail mix for the road, cookies for dessert, chocolate bars (if they get metly, dip the cookies in them - yum).
Vegetarian Roasted Portobello Wraps
Quick, delicious, and portable. Take these wraps to picnic at the park, ball field or beach.
Serves 4
Ingredients
2 Portobello mushrooms, stemmed and thickly sliced 1 Tb Olive oil 1 Tsp Garlic - minced 4 Flour tortillas - burrito size 1 pkg Red pepper hummus - 7 oz 4 Oz Goat cheese, crumbled 1 Romaine hearts, chopped 1/2 Sweet onion, thinly sliced Instructions
Preheat the oven to 400 degrees.
Toss sliced portobellos with olive oil and garlic to coat. Arrange on a foil lined, rimmed baking sheet, and bake 15 to 20 minutes until softened. Sprinkle with salt.
Microwave tortillas briefly to soften. Spread each tortilla with hummus; top with mushroom slices, romaine, onion, and goat cheese. Roll up, and serve.
Ham Wraps with Brie and Papaya
Easy to take for lunch, or to eat on the go. Great addition to you lunch time routine!
Serves 4
Ingredients
4 ea Flour tortillas - 8 inch, warmed 4 Tb Honey 8 Oz Brie 12 Ham slices - thin 1 C Papaya, peeled, seeded and thinly sliced 1 C Watercress leaves Instructions
Lay tortillas out on a flat surface and spread 1 tablespoon of honey over the tortilla. Top the honey with 1/4 of the Brie, spreading with a knife. Top Brie with 1/4 of the ham slices, papaya slices and watercress. Make an even line down the middle of each tortilla. Roll up and serve.
