Men’s Kitchen Spring Special Edition: 5 Delicious & Filling Picnic Dishes

Tourism Center / Comprehensive Report

With spring in full bloom, it's the perfect season to head outdoors for some fun. Grab your picnic basket and enjoy a day out with friends. If you’re tired of just cookies, cakes, and drinks, and have a craving for something savory and filling, ETtoday EBC News Cloud has specially selectedMen’s Kitchen 1+1and their 5 classic recipes. These dishes will surely be the star attraction at any picnic spot.

▲ With just simple ingredients and a few steps, you can make incredibly delicious rice burgers. (Photo provided by Men’s Kitchen 1+1)

Japanese-style Rice Burger

Ingredients (Serves 1):
▪ White rice — 1 bowl
▪ Pork collar slices — 60g
▪ 1/6 of an onion, thinly sliced
▪ A small amount of carrot, julienned
▪ 6 green beans, cut diagonally
▪ 2 lettuce leaves
▪ A small amount of white sesame seeds

Sauce:
▪ Bonito-flavored soy sauce (or regular soy sauce) — 1 tbsp
▪ Rice wine — 1 tsp
▪ Miso paste — 1 tbsp

Instructions:
▪ 1. Press the rice into round shapes, place them in a pan, and lightly brush with a small amount of soy sauce using a brush. Cook until the rice is slightly golden brown, then remove and set aside. (Tip 1)
▪ 2. Stir-fry the pork slices until they are about 6–70% cooked, then add the sauce and stir well.
▪ 3. Add the onions, carrots, and green beans, and stir-fry until cooked. (Those who prefer more sauce can avoid reducing it too much.)
▪ 4. Finally, assemble in the order of rice, lettuce, meat and vegetables, lettuce, and rice again, then sprinkle with a little white sesame to finish. (Tip 2)

Tips
▪ 1. Brushing the soy sauce helps control the amount used and prevents the rice from falling apart due to excess moisture.
▪ 2. Using lettuce to separate the meat and rice helps avoid the sauce making the rice too wet, which could cause the burger to fall apart.

▲ Sweet and tangy flavors, healthy and easy to prepare—nothing is better suited for a picnic. (Photo provided by Men’s Kitchen 1+1)

Italian Cold Pasta

Ingredients:
1 small cucumber
2 tomatoes
1 clove of garlic
juice of half a lemon
a small handful of basil leaves
1.5 tablespoons soy sauce
a pinch of black pepper
1.5 tablespoons white vinegar
2.5 teaspoons sugar
a little olive oil
150g Italian angel hair pasta

Ingredients & Method:
1. Dice the cucumber and tomatoes, sprinkle with salt, and let them marinate for about 15 minutes.
2. Mix them with minced garlic and other seasonings, then refrigerate for about 1–2 hours.
3. Cook the pasta until al dente.
4. Finally, combine all the ingredients evenly.
5. Ta-da！A delicious and filling Italian-style cold pasta is ready to serve！　

Tips
1. For picnics, after cooking the pasta, drain it first and drizzle with a suitable amount of olive oil. Mix it with the sauce just before eating to prevent the noodles from getting soggy.

▲Chicken is a common picnic ingredient because it's lean and doesn’t feel as greasy when chilled. (Photo / Men’s Kitchen 1+1)

Spiced Roast Chicken Thighs

Ingredients:
6 chicken thighs
4 cloves of garlic
1 tablespoon Italian herbs
75ml brewed soy sauce
1 teaspoon sugar
1.5 tablespoons white wine

Ingredients & Method:
1. Marinate the chicken thighs with all the seasonings.
2. Remove the chicken and let it air-dry slightly.
3. Bake at 200°C for about 15 minutes, then flip and bake for another 15 minutes, or until the chicken drumsticks are golden and fully cooked.
4. And there you have it — an Up-style chicken drumstick that’s not only photogenic but also super filling, making it one of the most popular dishes for picnics. ^ ^

Tips
1. Slightly air-drying the chicken drumsticks makes it easier to achieve a crispy skin.
2. Baking time may vary depending on the size of the drumsticks and your oven temperature. Adjust accordingly.

▲Egg salad sandwiches are super easy to make — even kids can give it a try. (Photo / Provided by Men’s Kitchen 1+1)

Egg Salad Sandwich

Ingredients:
4 eggs
10 slices of bread
2.5 tablespoons Japanese mayonnaise (or regular mayo)
A pinch of salt
A pinch of black pepper

Directions:
1. First, add salt to cold water and bring it to a boil with the eggs. Cook the eggs until done. (Boil for 7–8 minutes after it starts boiling)
* Boiling time may vary depending on heat level and pot size. Adjust as needed.
2. After boiling, separate the egg whites from the yolks and chop the whites.
3. Mix the yolks with mayonnaise, salt, and pepper.
4. Then add the chopped egg whites and mix everything evenly.
5. Finally, sandwich the egg salad between the bread — see? Super simple. Have fun making it with the kids.

Tips
1. Adding salt to the water when boiling eggs helps prevent the shells from cracking and egg whites from leaking out.
2. Japanese mayonnaise has a tangier taste. If you prefer sweetness, regular mayonnaise works just fine too.
3. It's recommended not to chop the egg whites too finely to preserve their texture.

▲With just a few simple ingredients, you can whip up delicious homemade pancakes in just 5 minutes. (Photo / Provided by Men’s Kitchen 1+1)

American Pancakes

Ingredients:
300g all-purpose flour
13g aluminum-free baking powder
10g baking soda
30g sugar
1 teaspoon salt
Milk 340ml
Eggs 2
Unsalted butter (melted) 30g

Method:
1. First, sift the flour, baking powder, and baking soda, then add sugar and salt and mix well before setting aside.
2. Next, add the eggs to the dry ingredients from step 1, and gradually add the milk “little by little,” stirring until the batter is smooth and free of lumps.
3. Then add the melted butter, stir well, and place in the refrigerator to rest for at least 30 minutes (overnight is best).
4. Heat a pan with oil, pour the batter in, and cook over medium-low heat until bubbles form on the surface, then flip. Cook the other side until fully cooked and golden (about 1 minute).
5. Finally, top with your favorite fruit and drizzle with syrup or honey to finish.

Tips
1. You can prepare extra flour mixture in step 1 and store it in an airtight jar so you can use it directly next time, saving more preparation time.
2. Letting the batter rest will definitely improve its texture and flavor.
3. Cooking pancakes with butter gives them a richer taste.

More recipes please go to >>>Man’s Kitchen 1+1Official Fan Page