Locktober Luncheon

Locked gates at the picnic entrance wasn't going to stop us enjoying our picnic lunch at Jennings Randolph Lake.  We parked at the gate and walked to the gazebo to enjoy our soup and more in a beautiful setting.  It was drizzling and foggy too, so our thermos of fresh made soup and thermos of coffee were very inviting on this October Sunday here in West Virginia.

Our menu today included:

Harvest Vegetable Soup

Brown Sugar Chicken Breast

Swiss Cheese

Tomato Olive Ciabatta

Cranberry Chutney Parfait

 The soup recipe was inspired by Katie at Healthy Seasonal Recipes.  I packed containers with soup.  My parents enjoyed it too on the stop after.  Here's how I made it:

Harvest Vegetable Soup

(Serves 4)

1 tsp. Olive Oil

1/4 cup Diced Yellow Onion

3 Garlic Cloves, diced

Cook over medium heat for 5 minutes.  Add:

1 Carrot, sliced thin and larger slices diced

1/2 cup Celery, diced

1 1/2 tsp. Herbes de Provence  

Cover and cook about 5 minutes, stirring occasionally. 

Add:

1/4 cup Apple Cider, pasteurinzed

Cook 3 minutes.  Add:

3 cups Low Sodium Broth

1 small Butternut Squash, peeled and diced

Simmer for 25 minutes.  Add

1 cup sliced Cabbage

1 cup Spinach Arugula Mix

1 large Yellow Tomato, diced

Cook 5 minutes.  Remove from heat.

  

Brown Sugar Chicken Breast

(Serves 5)

2-6 oz. Chicken Breasts, boneless, skinless

2 Tbsp. Brown Sugar

Sprinkle breasts with sugar.  Bake at 325 degrees for 30 minutes, or until center reaches 165 degrees.  Slice with electric knife.

     

 

Cranberry Chutney Parfait

(Serves 2)

1/2 cup Greek Yogurt

2 tsp. Honey

Mix.

1 Graham Cracker (2 squares)

1 Tbsp. Walnuts

Chop in food processor.  

Fresh Cranberry Chutney   

12 oz. Fresh Cranberries

1 cup Sugar

3/4 cup Water

Bring to boil;  stir frequently.  Simmer 15 minutes.

Stir in:

3/4 cup Orange Juice

3/4 cup Raisins

3/4 cup Celery, diced

1 Apple, chopped

Layer parfaits as follows:

2 Tbsp. Yogurt

1 Tbsp. Crumbs

2 Tbsp. Chutney

Repeat.

Here's the explanation for the title of this post.  Seems the picnic area is closed as the weather is cold.  We walked around the gate to find a roofed picnic table to eat.  Our meals together with no one else around are so enjoyable!