Pasta salad for a lot of people means mayonnaise. For me, that doesn’t always work well. I like going on picnics and I don’t want to have to worry about keeping my pasta salad cold (not to mention that it tastes better when it isn’t too cold). So this one has a Vinaigrette instead, which matches well with the artichoke hearts too.
So, springtime and the first real weekend sunny weekend of the Spring and I decided to go for a picnic. But instead of making a sandwich, I decided to go with these hand pies and a bunch of salads. I really like hand pies, as they are an “enclosed” sandwich of sort. Or a mini-pot pie without a serving dish. Either way, delicious.
My family makes a lot of Easter Eggs. I means dozens upon dozens. Maybe it is the nostalgia of using the coloring kits, but it’s something that my mum and I always do. And I do like eggs (well, some eggs — not much for the soft-boiled kind) but after a couple of days and a few dozen eggs, eggs get a little boring. Enter deviled eggs. I *love* deviled eggs of any sort. I think that on my site I have at least a dozen variations (appropriate, eh?). This yeah, I decided to go with the smoked salmon and dill variation. Great addition to a picnic or brunch menu (ok, it’s a little to early to be picnicking in New England, but bookmark this for later in the year or something).
While I am throwing M&Ms into treats, I thought I would make some “Don’t Call it Chex” Snack Mix. It is Chex Mix though. But yummier, imo, than your standard stuff. The honey and Worcestershire sauce give it a nice tangy sweetness. The almonds and peanut M&Ms a nutty crunch. Great for nibbling. Obviously I used the springtime / Easter M&Ms, given the season, but go for the regular colors the rest of the year.