Enjoy local flavours with a backyard picnic

The sun is shining, the air is fresh, the flowers are in bloom…it’s picnic time! The best part about planning a picnic is the food of course!  You can let your creativity shine and it can be enjoyed in the comfort of your own backyard, porch or balcony. Throw out your favourite comfy blanket, grab you finest (paper) china, and make memories with the kids or an at-home date night with your sweetheart.

What will be in your picnic basket? We want to help you with some tasty recipe ideas, with ingredients that can be purchased locally!

Easy Salsa Roll Ups

Ingredients:

4 oz cream cheese, softened

3 tablespoons of your favourite salsa (chunkier the better!)

4 x 6’ flour tortillas

½ cup of your favourite shredded cheese

¼ tsp chili powder (optional)

Instructions:

1. Mix cream cheese and salsa with electric mixer. Spread onto tortillas and top with remaining ingredients.
2. Tightly roll tortillas.  Cut each into 5 slices, making sure to cut off each end of the tortilla first so it can sit flat.

Local Flavour Suggestion: Brantwood Farms Hot and Spicy Asparagus Salsa. (Planning a morning picnic or need a pick-me-up? Try Blacksmith & Bean Coffee Beans, also available at Brantwood Farms).

Cantaloupe

Slice it or dice it – this fruit is delicious, hydrating, and healthy which makes it a perfect addition to your picnic!

Fact: Bowman’s Produce, a vendor at Brantford Farmer’s Market, is open for online orders and has occasional dates available to deliver to Brantford Farmer’s Market location at 79 Icomm Drive.  Farm fresh canteloupe and other delicious produce can be ordered online at www.localline.ca/bowmanproduce .

Smore’s Crispy Bars

Ingredients

1/4 cup butter, cubed

1 package (10 ounces) miniature marshmallows

6 cups Rice Krispies

1-1/2 cups crushed graham crackers

1 cup milk chocolate chips

FROSTING:

3/4 cup butter, softened

1 cup confectioners' sugar

1 jar (7 ounces) marshmallow creme

TOPPING:

1/4 cup crushed graham crackers

2 milk chocolate candy bars (1.55 ounces each)

Instructions:

1. In a large pot, melt butter over medium heat. Add marshmallows; cook and stir until melted. Remove from heat. Stir in cereal, crushed crackers, and chocolate chips. Press into a greased 13x9-inch baking pan. Cool to room temperature.
2. For frosting, in a small bowl, beat butter and confectioners' sugar until smooth. Beat in marshmallow creme on low speed just until blended. Spread over bars. Sprinkle crushed crackers over frosting. Cut into 12 bars. Break and place a piece of milk chocolate on each bar.

Pro Tip: Le Chocolat Du Savoie has an assortment of premium chocolates so that you can customize your toppings for these squares with your mouthwatering favourites. They are currently open for online or telephone orders. Visit their website to find more information on how to shop at www.lechocolatdusavoie.com.