Competitive gluten/soy/dairy-free picnicking

September 16, 2011 9:03 AM

I'm providing the picnic next weekend for an outdoor concert with a friend who has multiple dietary restrictions. I've read previous questions about gluten-free summer picnics; I'd like suggestions for cool-weather picnic foods that do not contain gluten, soy, or dairy.

Ambient temperatures will probably go from the low 80s (F) to the mid-60s over the evening, and we'll be sitting on grass. We are limited to a "small cooler". I'd like to have at least one warm dish that can be transported in a thermos.

Bonus for things with a visual wow-factor, since I've heard that picnicking at this venue can sometimes be a spectator sport. (Atlantans: Chastain, obv.) Thanks!

posted by catlet to food & drink (6 answers total)

Try Health-Bent on for size.
posted by lizifer at 9:20 AM on September 16, 2011

Quinoa Curry Salad. I don't have a recipie, but do some Googleing.
posted by humboldt32 at 9:33 AM on September 16, 2011

Homemade chili. Anything that can be served in a corn tortilla. A hot fruit salad - think apples, pears, raisins, with cinnamon and ginger. Chicken soup made with tons of vegetables and no noodles. Stew. Roasted red pepper soup with mushrooms and smoked salmon. Spaghetti squash with olive oil, garlic, sea salt and pepper.

I have the same restrictions, so if you need more suggestions, let me know.
posted by MexicanYenta at 11:26 AM on September 16, 2011

My go-to recipe is from Mollie Katzen. It's a brown rice salad with grapes, chickpeas and pecans. It looks pretty and it's good cold. I know it sounds like an unusual combination but people often ask me for the recipe when I take it to potlucks.
posted by hellochula at 1:29 PM on September 16, 2011

Gluten free fried chicken. Is there any better picnic food than cold fried chicken? No there is not!
posted by helmutdog at 10:47 PM on September 20, 2011

Thanks, everyone! I went with the salad that hellochula recommended and also made the curried squash soup from Katzen's site. Both were a big success, although I am kind of fixated on the idea of the roasted red pepper soup MexicanYenta suggested, so that will have to happen soon.
posted by catlet at 8:11 PM on September 23, 2011