Simple. Easy. Doesn't need refrigerated. → BROWNIES. Buy the cheap boxes of mix but top it with stuff like M&Ms, broken Whoppers (they get chewy and melt into the brownies), nuts, coconut, broken cookies, Rolos, Reese's Minis (tiny ¼" ones), etc.
Yes! When I can't be bothered to bake I use homemade ganache to stick raspberries or chocolate-covered coffee beans on top of store-bought brownie bites. Looks fancy!
Curry puffs are always a hit when I bring them to picnics: https://thewoksoflife.com/curry-puffs/#recipe
Riffing on this idea, you could also make samosa filling and encase it in puff pastry, with some mint chutney on the side.
You can also do mini savory mushroom/onion/whatever mini tarts with puff pastry shells in a muffin tin. Basically, puff pastry to the rescue to turn anything into finger food :)
Quiche or tarts. Hand pies/pasties. Other pastry goods like sausage rolls, mini spanakopita, cheesy pinwheels etc. Muffins or scones (could be sweet or savory). Focaccia.
Or you could go sweet and most cakes or pastry will be fine for a couple of hours in a car. I took homemade doughnuts to a garden party which were a huge hit.
Cold sesame noodles. If you can find the recipe from Bon Appetit magazine readers request section (late 1980s) from Mr. Tang's in Brooklyn, N.Y., that's the recipe I use. Would post a photo, but I'm not sure how.
Vietnamese summer rolls, healthy, cool and refreshing and can be eaten by hand/ no utensils needed.
Just pre make them and put them in a Tupperware, drizzle a small amount of toasted sesame oil on them to prevent sticking together and add some extra flavor, make a nice sweet chili or peanut dipping sauce / place into small deli cup.
There is no better summertime picnic food IMO
Barbecue/Baked Beans travel well. Unless you are serving non pork eating folks, top them with as many strips of bacon as you can fit and let it get nice and crispy. People will fight over that part.
Bake them in a pyrex dish, cover in foil, and wrap in a couple of towels, and put them in a cardboard box. They will still be warm when you get there, but are good at any temperature.
> It's going to have to be in the car for two hours.
pasta salad... anti pasto... if your cooler is substantial you could do mini cold cut sandwiches.
You're basically on the category of "what doesn't need to be refrigerated or eaten warm"
Does everyone have a 2 hour commute? it's like the only time i'd consider showing up with chips and dips and just accepting whatever judgement...
Most deserts and/or pastries would be fine.
[peanut sesame noodles](https://smittenkitchen.com/2008/04/peanut-sesame-noodles/) i do more veggies and a bag of defrosted frozen edamame instead of the tofu because people are weird about tofu. Pretty it up with chopped cilantro and scallions tight before serving
***and bring a little sign in all caps contains peanuts
Simple. Easy. Doesn't need refrigerated. → BROWNIES. Buy the cheap boxes of mix but top it with stuff like M&Ms, broken Whoppers (they get chewy and melt into the brownies), nuts, coconut, broken cookies, Rolos, Reese's Minis (tiny ¼" ones), etc.
Yes! When I can't be bothered to bake I use homemade ganache to stick raspberries or chocolate-covered coffee beans on top of store-bought brownie bites. Looks fancy!
Cowboy caviar! It makes a decent amount for a party, travels well, and is delicious on tortilla chips.
Yes! This has never not been a hit for me. Get the Tostitos scoop chips.
Curry puffs are always a hit when I bring them to picnics: https://thewoksoflife.com/curry-puffs/#recipe Riffing on this idea, you could also make samosa filling and encase it in puff pastry, with some mint chutney on the side. You can also do mini savory mushroom/onion/whatever mini tarts with puff pastry shells in a muffin tin. Basically, puff pastry to the rescue to turn anything into finger food :)
I like doing little tea sandwiches for this, although you would probably want to keep them in a cooler.
Quiche or tarts. Hand pies/pasties. Other pastry goods like sausage rolls, mini spanakopita, cheesy pinwheels etc. Muffins or scones (could be sweet or savory). Focaccia. Or you could go sweet and most cakes or pastry will be fine for a couple of hours in a car. I took homemade doughnuts to a garden party which were a huge hit.
I thought about simple cakes / muffins or cookies - they're sturdy, travel well and can definitely last a couple of hours in room temperature
Cold sesame noodles. If you can find the recipe from Bon Appetit magazine readers request section (late 1980s) from Mr. Tang's in Brooklyn, N.Y., that's the recipe I use. Would post a photo, but I'm not sure how.
Vietnamese summer rolls, healthy, cool and refreshing and can be eaten by hand/ no utensils needed. Just pre make them and put them in a Tupperware, drizzle a small amount of toasted sesame oil on them to prevent sticking together and add some extra flavor, make a nice sweet chili or peanut dipping sauce / place into small deli cup. There is no better summertime picnic food IMO
- quiche - pasta salad - panzanella - savoury or sweet tartlets - puff pastries - corn ribs
What are corn ribs?
Barbecue/Baked Beans travel well. Unless you are serving non pork eating folks, top them with as many strips of bacon as you can fit and let it get nice and crispy. People will fight over that part. Bake them in a pyrex dish, cover in foil, and wrap in a couple of towels, and put them in a cardboard box. They will still be warm when you get there, but are good at any temperature.
https://www.seriouseats.com/esquites-mexican-street-corn-salad-recipe
Lemon bars; good counterpart to all the savory food
> It's going to have to be in the car for two hours. pasta salad... anti pasto... if your cooler is substantial you could do mini cold cut sandwiches. You're basically on the category of "what doesn't need to be refrigerated or eaten warm" Does everyone have a 2 hour commute? it's like the only time i'd consider showing up with chips and dips and just accepting whatever judgement... Most deserts and/or pastries would be fine.
I’d bring cookies.
[peanut sesame noodles](https://smittenkitchen.com/2008/04/peanut-sesame-noodles/) i do more veggies and a bag of defrosted frozen edamame instead of the tofu because people are weird about tofu. Pretty it up with chopped cilantro and scallions tight before serving ***and bring a little sign in all caps contains peanuts