Rejoice! Summer is just around the corner! Get ready to enjoy sun, beautiful weather and lazy days of rest. If you live near a river, sea or a beautiful lake, then you’re really a lucky one. Trips to the beach are the highlight of every summer, but they are incomplete without some food to munch on and drink to sip. If you’re always in doubt about what and how to pack, here’s a little guide to give you some ideas and help you prepare for a perfect beach trip.
Wraps for days
Experienced beach-goers say that you better forget sandwiches and start wrapping up. Wraps are not only tasty, and fun and easy to make, but have other advantages, too. The first one is that all the fillings are safely hidden inside, protected from the sand and heat, and the second one is that you can easily eat them with one hand. And also, forget about the classic wraps, and try something new this summer such as smoked mushrooms and avocado wraps, or sweet potato and caramelized onion wraps. Maybe they sound complicated, but actually, you simply cook all the ingredients, wrap them up, and you’re ready for the beach. Let your imagination run free and experiment as much as you want.
Whole fruits
We all love a plate of nicely chopped fresh fruit, but that’s just not made to be enjoyed at the beach. Sandy fingers and sand flying everywhere will ruin that experience, so better opt for some whole fruits. Think nectarines, peaches, apples or grapes. They all have skin to protect them from sand on the outside and are juicy and refreshing on the inside.
Pasta salad as a more serious meal
When you’re spending a whole day at the beach, you have to eat something more substantial and we have a perfect solution for you. Pasta salads are easy to make, pack and keep fresh in the heat. And if that devil sand gets to your meal, just mix it up and forget about it. There are many ways you can make pasta salads, but why not try one with green peas and cottage cheese, or the tasty but low-fat Mediterranean salad with veggies and salami.
Don’t forget the dessert!
For the dessert, you want something you can eat with your fingers and avoid the mess. I’m sorry to say this, but you might think about avoiding chocolate and the melty, gooey mess it can leave behind. Cookies might just be your perfect choice. You can try making these Chocolate Chip-less Cookies or these evergreen Linzer cookies.
How to pack?
After you’ve prepared all your delicious food, it’s time to pack and hit the road. Having a little cooler would be perfect because your food would always stay fresh and crunchy. There are excellent ones on the market that hold ice from 2 to almost 5 days, but if you’re not going camping, that kind of technology won’t be necessary. A picnic cooler should be enough. Of course, don’t forget your favourite beach drinks. You can pack coffee or tea, whatever you prefer, just make sure your container has a lid like the Bodum travel mug does, that will prevent leaks and allow you to enjoy all your favourite beverages without any messy surprises. If you’re not big on caffeine, opt for some healthy and refreshing beverages such as this Peach-Thyme Iced Tea or some light summer cocktail such as this Cucumber and Lime Gin and Tonic. If you decide on cocktails, just be careful not to have too much. You can also pack some water and sodas for when you need some quick refreshment.
If you pack these tasty foods and drinks, all that’s left is to head to the beach and relax. You will have enough energy to swim, splash, walk or read, and it’ll be easier to relax on a full stomach.
