It's a Picnic, Blogger CLUE!

Don't you just love picnics?  I have loved them since I was a little girl.  I remember going to the park for my dad's company picnic.  There was so much to do and so much to eat...hamburgers, hot dogs, deep pit barbecue, beans, salad, drinks....great fun!  Then there was the picnic with friends where I met my husband...I can still remember what I wore...can't remember a thing about what we ate but it must have been good.  I don't think I was focused on the food at that picnic.  You see, picnics are fun!

That is why I was so excited for this month's Blogger CLUE post.  Bet you can't guess the theme...yep, picnic food!  I was assigned Debra's blog, Eliot's Eats.  Debra made it hard this month because I found so many things that could be taken on a picnic.  Since I was having trouble narrowing it down, I decided that since picnics of my past were so much fun, I would have a retro picnic on the patio.

I decided to make a standard, Barbecue Baked Beans.  I found a recipe for Sweet and Spicy BBQ Sauce and Tony Roma's Carolina Honeys, either would be perfect for the beans.  And then, what could be more retro than a recipe that Debra said was from Betty Crocker's Party Book published in 1960?  For some reason, the picture of the Chickenburger-in-a-Basket made me think of a lobster roll.  I couldn't get it out of my mind so it had to come on the picnic but, alas....no lobster for me....just chicken.


Sweet and Spicy Barbecue Sauce
adapted from Eliot's Eats


2 T. olive oil
2 cloves garlic, minced
1 cup ketchup
1 cup apple cider vinegar
1/2 cup molasses
1/2 cup honey
1 tsp liquid smoke
1 tsp chili powder
1 Tbsp Sriracha
1/2 tsp salt
1/2 tsp fresh ground pepper, to taste

In a saucepan, heat the olive oil and saute the minced garlic for one minute.  Be careful not to burn it.

Add the remaining ingredients to the saucepan.  Whisk to combine.  

Heat the mixture to a boil and then reduce the heat to a low and simmer uncovered.  Simmer for 45-60 minutes.  When the mixture thickens, remove it from the heat.

Store the sauce in the refrigerator until ready to use.


Sweet and Spicy Barbecue Baked Beans
adapted from Eliot's Eats

6 slices bacon, cooked crisp (reserve the bacon grease)
1 sweet onion, chopped
1 28-oz can of Pork and Beans, fat removed
1 15-oz can black beans, drain and rinse
1/2 cup Sweet and Spicy Barbecue Sauce
1/4 cup Worcestershire Sauce

Preheat oven to 350° F.

Fry the bacon until crisp.  Remove it from the pan to paper towels to drain.  Crumble.

Add the onion to the bacon grease and saute until soft.  Remove the onion from the pan and drain.

In a medium mixing bowl, combine the Sweet and Spicy Barbecue Sauce and Worcestershire Sauce. Whisk.  Stir in the beans, bacon and onion.

Place the mixture into a baking dish and bake 45-60 minutes.

PRINTABLE RECIPE


The beans were delicious.  We loved them both served hot and served cold.  Don't know why I love cold homemade baked beans but I do.  They went great with my sandwich at lunch the next day. This is a keeper recipe.  Terry couldn't get enough of them.

Now for my Lobster  Chickenburger Roll-in-a-Basket!  Debra says that these are ooey-gooey goodness.  I can't tell you how much I was fixating on this recipe and I do not know exactly why....I just knew that I had to make it.  Saying that, I had to shake my head...recipe adjustments ahead.  I remember my mom always spreading butter on the bread when she made a sandwich.  I cannot do it. "smile"

Chickenburger Roll-in-a-Basket
adapted from Eliot's Eats

Preheat oven:  350° F.
Serves 4

2/3 cup shredded sharp cheddar cheese
1 Tbsp sweet pickles relish
1 chicken breast, poached and diced or shredded (I used some rotisserie chicken.)
1 green onion, sliced
1 Tbsp diced red bell pepper
1 1/2 Tbsp mayonnaise
2 oz. Third less fat cream cheese
Dash of Sriracha sauce
Salt and pepper, to taste

4 soft rolls

Mix all of the ingredients together.  Season with salt and pepper.

Split and butter the buns, if desired.  Fill the buns with the chicken mixture.  Wrap the rolls in foil.

Heat the rolls in the oven for 15 minutes.

PRINTABLE RECIPE


Both of us had to chuckle when we took our first bite....it sent us back a few years.  If I said it tasted soooo retro, you would understand.  I would actually make these again only with an updated recipe.  I would first omit or cut in half the cream cheese and then increase the pickle or pickle relish and the red pepper.  I would probably also add some green onion.  I think that is it...I can hardly wait for the next picnic so I can make those great Barbecue Baked Beans and yes, the Chickenburger Roll-in-a-Basket!


Comments

  1. A trifecta of delicious and perfect picnic foods!! Awesome recipes to share today - and I am definitely going to gave to give the beans and chickenburger a try; my boys would love both. :)

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  2. What a wonderful combo you chose to share with us today. Thanks.

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  3. Looks like some great picnic grub Kathy. I sent you an email and hope I have the right address, If you don't get it please send me one at grandpop1@yahoo.com

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  4. You simply cannot have a picnic without baked beans! And this sandwich! I must try it very soon. It sounds absolutely delicious! And yup - I grew up with buttered bread for sandwiches. Except it was margarine. Great looking meal. Pinning!

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  5. Gosh, both dishes look so good! I'd gravitate towards these if I saw them at a picnic! Wonderful choices!

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  6. Those baked beans sound wonderful and that Chicken Burger in a Basket is very intriguing!

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  7. I need to treat my hubby to these baked beans ASAP---he'd be thrilled. And I've never seen anything like this chicken burger, but it sure looks irresistible! All that melted cheese---wow!

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  8. I am so glad you pulled these retro recipes. All of them are actually retro (in a sense). The baked beans are based on a very popular community cookbook from the early 80s. The BBQ sauce recipe is based on one from the a copycat recipe book from the late 80s. (When did the 80s become retro??? That makes me feel old!!!!

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  9. Looks like a very yummy picnic. Love those beans with barbecue sauce, what a great idea. And I could definitely make fast work out of that sandwich, looks amazing!!

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  10. Looks like a very yummy picnic. Love those beans with barbecue sauce, what a great idea. And I could definitely make fast work out of that sandwich, looks amazing!!

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  11. I think I would enjoy both but have to say the sandwich is totally new to me! No doubt I'd like that white bean, bacon and rosemary salad too:@)

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  12. Too funny! We both did beans today. Beans must be THE summer/picnic food! LOL

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  13. What would a picnic be without the Baked Beans? And the Chicken Roll in a Basket sounds delicious! Perfect food for a picnic!

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  14. A picnic is a perfect place to bring baked beans! This sauce sounds amazing and something I need to make soon. Nice choice!

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  15. What's a picnic without baked beans? Not a picnic! These look delicious. Everyone needs a good bean recipe. Thanks for sharing.

    Velva

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  16. I adore Debra, not only for her food, but also for her sense of humor and willingness to try anything. I think the chicken burgers look fantastic just the way they are!

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  17. This is perfect picnic food! Those beans sound out of this world, and the two recipes go so well together. I actually wish I could dive in right now. ;)

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  18. This is perfect retro picnic food! And beans and sandwiches go so well together :)

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  19. Your baked beans look fantastic, Kate. My grandmother used to make open face baked bean sandwiches. She spread them on a thick slice of bread and topped it with a slice of cheddar cheese. It went under the broiler until hot and bubbly. That sure brings back some delicious memories. Have a great weekend.

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  20. Great picnic or summer party dishes! I'd happily serve and eat those spicy beans AND that chicken roll! Never mind the lobster. I mean, really, look at that melted cheese!

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  21. I like the idea of putting Sriracha in baked beans!
    And that sandwich, looks fantastic.

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  22. I'm not much for sriracha - but what a great recipe idea! : ) perfect for summer picnics and BBQs actually and this would be an instant husband favorite!

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  23. I just adore Debra! And I think you've found the perfect picnic food... what's a picnic without beans?? Love!

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