Memorial Day Picnics...Tasty and Gluten-Free

This coming weekend is Memorial Day weekend here in the USA. The kick off of summer, time for camping, picnics and also remembering all of those that served our country in the military and all service agencies. Some also use this weekend to remember anyone who has passed away.

It never ceases to amaze me that time keeps moving so quickly! It seems like we were just celebrating Christmas, and here we are on the verge of summer. How did that happen? Are you ready? I've spent a lot of time this past month working on grilling recipes and marinades. Grilling season has begun and picnics as well.

So, what does your extended holiday weekend hold for you? Are you going to the park to spend some time with friends and loved ones? Are you headed out to a camping adventure or maybe to visit the ocean? Maybe traveling to visit loved ones for an extra long weekend visit? However you spend your time, food is always involved, that is just the way it works.

What will be in that picnic basket? I always picture Yogi Bear and his hunt for an unattended picnic basket. There always seemed to be a platter of golden fried chicken, a chocolate cake or apple pie and a big bowl of potato salad....or maybe that was just what I would hope to find. :-) What are your favorites?

Fried chicken is always a favorite and it is so portable. It's good hot or cold, with bones or without. So many options to choose from too for breading. That is one of the beauties of our gluten-free lifestyle, there are so many ways to make your favorite dishes. For a simple fried chicken, replace the wheat flour for equal parts of rice flour and corn flour. Add seasonings to it as you normally would, dredge the meat in buttermilk and the flour mixture and fry it up like grandma used to. Fried chicken is a favorite here!

Potato salad is an easy side dish, but you need to make sure you keep it well chilled to avoid making anyone sick. A trusty cooler full of ice works nicely. For the picnic table, you can place your salad bowl down inside a bowl full of ice to keep it cool while people are dishing up and enjoying the food. Another idea for a buffet table outside is to have a large tray full of ice, or even a small kiddy pool with ice in it to set the serving bowls down inside of. My family has done that when we are having a large gathering with many different salads that needed to be kept cold during the meal.

Need more salad ideas? Gling has many recipes for salads and dressings to choose from. You are sure to find one that will satisfy your craving. From fruit salads, to green salads and even quinoa salad! So many tasty ideas, good thing summer is just beginning! :-)

How about that dessert? You know you have to have a tasty dessert for any gathering, to satisfy that sweet tooth that everyone has! Doesn't matter if you want something chocolate, cake, pies or cookies. Gling has it all! From the elaborate to the simple and everything in between. All tasty and best of all, they are all gluten-free! Plus, no one will guess on most of them. What could be better?

So get out there, enjoy the first long weekend of summer and spend time with family and friends. Don't worry about the menu, find your ideas on Gling and you'll have a host of wonderful dishes to choose from and they will all fit your dietary needs. No worries!

For those who serve this country every day and lay down their lives for our safety and freedom....Thank you! Your service is so appreciated and we are so very proud of you all!