3 Perfect Picnic Recipes (Win An Earth’s Choice Prize!)

When we think of summer satiation our minds auto-go to al-fresco dining—there’s no better way to enjoy a meal outdoors than with a pretty, plant-based picnic. Our pals at Earth’s Choice organic foods agree, and have teamed up with registered dietitian Shannon Smith to curate a basketful of veg-friendly recipes that are beach, park or backyard perfect, using ingredients from Earth’s Choice’s range of super natural, healthy and delicious foods (beans, coconut products, coffee, citrus juices, nut butters, sea salt, seafood, tomatoes and more) sourced with the utmost care to meet or exceed the highest global food safety initiatives. Translation: stock up on Earth’s Choice staples, whip these portable dishes up and your next summer picnic is guaranteed to be filled with treats that are trusted, traceable and most importantly, tasty. —Vita Daily

Spicy Cucumber Salad

1 medium field cucumber
2 each fresh red thai chilies, seeded and diced
1/4 cup red onion
3 tbsp Earth’s Choice Extra Virgin Olive Oil
3 tbsp Earth’s Choice Lime Juice
2 tsp cumin
1/4 cup feta cheese
Salt and pepper to taste

Slice cucumber in half lengthwise, then in half lengthwise again. Then slice into 1/2-cm triangles. Put aside in a large bowl or container with an airtight lid. Cut into onion to score 1-cm lengths, then slice red onion paper thin, ideally with a mandolin. Add sliced red onions to cucumbers. Remove seeds from chilies, and discard seeds. Like a little more spice? Include a few seeds. Dice chili flesh, and put into a small bowl. Add to small bowl with chilies: extra virgin olive oil, lime juice and cumin to make dressing. Pour over cucumbers and red onions, and mix until everything is coated. Top with feta cheese, and finish with salt and pepper to taste. Refrigerate until ready to eat.

BBQ Carrots with Lime and Cumin

1 bunch carrots (about 5-6 carrots)
1 tbsp Earth’s Choice Extra Virgin Olive Oil
2 tsp Earth’s Choice Lime Juice
1/2 tsp cumin
Salt and pepper to taste

Heat barbecue to medium heat, about 400°F/200°C. Wash whole carrots, and trim down the stem. Put into a 2-inch-deep roasting dish, set aside. In a small bowl, combine olive oil and cumin, lime juice. Pour over carrots; brush with pastry brush to cover carrots on all sides. Grill carrots on the barbeque for 3-4 minutes each side to get nice grill marks; for total grilling time of about 12-14 minutes. (Taking a portable grill with you? Simply dress the carrots, pack them in a reusable container and grill on picnic-site!)

Smokin’ Burgers with Turmeric Mayo

1 Very Good Butchers Smokin Burger patty
1/8 cup veggie stock for burger basting (or 2 tbsp olive oil and 1 tbsp lime juice)
1-2 tbsp turmeric mayonnaise (see below)
3 slices organic aged cheddar cheese
1/4 cup arugula
1 whole-grain bun

Turmeric Mayonnaise (yields enough for 4 burgers, plus some for carrot dipping)

1/3 cup mayonnaise (made with olive oil or avocado oil)
1 tbsp Earth’s Choice Turmeric Paste with black pepper
1 tbsp Earth’s Choice Lime Juice

Heat barbeque to medium-hot, about 400°F/200°C. In a small mixing bowl make your turmeric mayonnaise: stir together mayonnaise, turmeric paste and lime juice. Set aside. With a pastry brush, brush both sides of the burger patty with veggie stock to keep it moist while grilling. Grill burger patty 3 minutes on the first side. Flip your burger, baste the top with veggie stock grill 2 more minutes; with 1 minute left top with cheese. Grill for 1-2 minutes longer, or until the cheese is melted. Dress your bun with: turmeric mayonnaise, arugula or other dark leafy greens. Dish up with Spicy Cucumber Salad and BBQ Carrots and enjoy!

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Win! A $100 Earth’s Choice Prize Pack!

One lucky Canadian winner will receive a $100 Earth’s Choice prize pack full of products for the perfect summer picnic! To enter, follow @earths_choice and @vitadaily.ca on Instagram and complete the giveaway instructions on our corresponding contest post. Contest opens August 28th, 2020, and closes September 18th, 2020. Rules and regulations here. Good luck!