Perfect Picnics
Enjoying a game of cricket or football is a great way to spend a day, afternoon or evening, especially when you live close to the iconic Melbourne Cricket Ground as I do. Whilst there are a few great restaurants to eat in, if you want to eat while watching the action, low carb options are limited or non-existent! Whilst I am happy to indulge in the occasional carb-loaded food, I draw the line at rubbish food such as commercial pies, sausage rolls or soggy hot chips! My solution is low carb picnic food!
If I am preparing on the run, dinner will often consist of BBQ chicken and vegetable crudites, cubbed cheese and salami slices or, as a last resort, mixed nuts. Sometimes, as I did last night, I have time to prepare something a little more interesting, like egg and bacon cups and chocolate-dipped strawberries.
Egg & Bacon Cups
I love egg and bacon cups! They are such a quick, easy, filling and nutritious meal. They have long been a favourite brunch option, including my son’s rowing crew, who would devour post a heavy training session. For the rowers, it was simply a bacon-wrapped muffin tin with an egg dropped in and sprinkled with grated cheese. For brunch, a picnic, or the football, I add a little more!
Last night, we enjoyed Bacon and Egg Cups with Feta and Spinach. The trick to making these quick and easy are using a silicone muffin pan. Not only does it mean your muffins pop out easily, but it also makes for a far easier clean-up! As with the rowers’ version, the recipe starts by wrapping the muffin cup with bacon. I find streaky bacon the best option for this. Then, you can add in what you fancy. Last night I made a simple quiche-style mix of eggs, feta, onion and spinach, topped with grated cheese. Other great inclusions are olives, sun-dried tomatoes, basil, chives, and parmesan. The beauty of bacon and egg cups is if you wrap them in a tea towel straight from the oven, they will keep warm.
Chocolate Dipped Strawberries
Strawberries are on special at my local fruit and veg shop, so to compliment the egg and bacon cups, I prepared some strawberries dipped in chocolate. Also, quick and easy! My favourite chocolate is Callebaut (811). It is not low carb but delicious, and given the small quantity consumed, I am happy to ‘bend the rules’!
These strawberries will just as easily compliment your meal when you are next entertaining. I have been known to make up a batch and enjoy them as an after-dinner treat when watching a movie! You can also use white chocolate or mix it up and combine it to produce a marbled effect… but that does require a lot more skill!
I’ll be back at ‘The G’ next Friday, as although my team, unfortunately, didn’t win, they lost to my husband’s team, so we can do it all again!
What are your low carb picnic or football food options? And, if you tried my quarter-final menu, I’d love to know what you thought. Also, follow along with me on Instagram to keep up to date with my latest recipes and tips for living a low carb life.
Cheers to good health and well-being, Lee xx
