PICOBLAT : What you need to bring to your next picnic! #PicnicGame

Somebody told me that today was the halfway marker of summer on the calendar. That someone has also has only lived in The Valley of the Sun for exactly 3.5 months. Ummm,  did the nickname "The Valley of the Sun" not clue you in? I was sorry to burst his shiny, happy yet clueless bubble but summer unofficially or not starts in mid April and ends at the very tail end of October here in Phoenix. Prepare yourself.






I did clue him into a little known secret that apparently is well kept by us Zonies. There is relief from the scorching heat only a stones throw away via the I-17. Prescott, Sedona, Flagstaff, Greer and other retreat from the heat towns are a minimum of a 2 hours drive North from Phoenix. And....... wait for it........... there are a handful of beautiful bodies of water known as creeks and lakes scattered amidst the desert mountains (puddles in comparison to the Midwestern lakes but we love them nonetheless).

"Puddles" of water that are perfect for a day trip, beat the heat picnic getaway. We are masters of this scenario. We pack mostly healthy snacks to last all day long, plenty of water and fish bait to keep the kids entertained.

I have to say that as a Native Arizonan, I haven't shared some of my most favorite places to picnic or camp with the newbies because let's face it, tourists can cramp your style and solitude is nothing short of a blessing when you live a hectic life in the city. I will however share with you a picture or two of our latest stumble upon spot somewhere along the Mogollon Rim, pronounced,  /mʌɡɨˈjoʊn/ or /moʊɡəˈjoʊn/) or /mɒɡɒdʒɔːn


Did that help?

So what do I bring on road trip picnics? Fruits, veggies, cheeses and PICOBLAT, of course. 

An acronym for 

P eppers
I talian dressing
C ilantro
O nion
B lack beans
L ime juice
A vocado
T omatoes


When put all together and let to marinade for a day equals the perfect picnic food.
No need for instructions on this, it's really super simple and you can add as much or as little as you prefer of each ingredient, although I do recommend going easy on the Italian dressing (house/creamy style) and heavy on the lime juice. Also, if you use canned black beans, you want to drain them first. I also add chopped jicama to this more often than not which adds the crunch factor.

Need more ideas and inspiration for you summer picnicking? Check out these fabulous recipes perfect for summer noshing.




Today we are celebrating International Picnic Day by bringing you a basket packed with goodies from A to Z, in the style of the picnic game! Drop by the Sunday Supper Movement to see the whole picnic spread out on our virtual blanket.

I'm going on a picnic and I'm bringing...
Asian Chicken Salad from Try Anything Once Culinary
Beautiful Beet Salad from Small Wallet, Big Appetite
Chicken Muffuletta from Marlene Baird
Double Chocolate Chip Cookie Cups from The Dinner-Mom
Elote from Peaceful Cooking
Fennel Slaw from FoodieTots
Greek Farro Salad from That Skinny Chick Can Bake
Honey Porter Glazed Chicken and Vegetable Skewers from Hezzi-D's Books and Cooks
Italian Pasta Salad from Casa de Crews
Japanese Plum Sushi from NinjaBaking.com
Kudos Kitchen Kolaches from Kudos Kitchen by Renee
Lemon Yogurt Bundt Cake from In The Kitchen With KP
Molasses Lovers Baked Beans from Cindy's Recipes and Writings
Northern Bean Salad with Egg and Prosciutto from Family Foodie
Orzo Salad from The Not So Cheesy Kitchen
PICOBLAT from Simply Healthy Family