Make Ahead Picnic Wraps for the Open Road

Summer means two things – road trips and picnics. Whenever possible I like to pack a picnic lunch before hitting the road. This is especially true for our long drives up to Oregon and Washington. With so much beauty along the way, it would be a shame to spend even a minute inside a roadside diner. Growing up we always packed our own foods for the road. I loved it then, and I love it today. The only difference is that today I’ve graduated from bologna sandwiches with stale potato chips to picnics with pzazz.

There are so many great things about Picnic Wraps that scream road trip. For one thing, wraps can be made a day in advance. That means all you need do is to cut each wrap in half, wrap in plastic wrap and pack them in a Tupperware Container. Put the container on the top of the cooler and away you go. Wraps offer a variety of different fillings, textures and flavors. Using tortilla wraps instead of thick slices of bread make for a lighter sandwich. When we are going on long road trips, I like to start my travel cuisine with wraps.  Pack along a couple of thermoses of Lemonade, some fruits and there you go. When you see a nice place to spend a little time, pull out your picnic, take in the scenery and enjoy!

The secrets to a wonderful road trip are simple. Give yourself plenty of time. It’s not a race for goodness sake. Enjoy the ride. It’s not a matter of making good time but rather having a good time. Enjoy one another. This is your time to unplug and unwind. So take out the ear buds and have a conversation. Most importantly, don’t skimp on the food, snacks and drinks. Part of the experience of a road trip vacation is the road – the journey getting there. Make every moment count. Embrace the roads less traveled.

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Caesar Chicken Wraps
1 1/2 cups Tyson Frozen Grilled & Ready Chicken Strips
1 cup Romaine Lettuce
1/4 cup Parmesan Cheese
1/4 cup Creamy Caesar Dressing
2 Tomato Tortilla Wraps

Place chicken strips in a non-stick skillet over medium heat. Cook for 5 minutes or until warmed through.

Meanwhile, tear lettuce into bite-size pieces and place in a mixing bowl. Sprinkle with Parmesan Cheese and dressing. Toss to blend.

Warm tortillas just enough to make rolling easier, about 1 or 2 minutes on a flat griddle.

Divide chicken strips between the tortilla wraps and place down the center of each wrap.

Surround chicken with lettuce mixture. Roll tortilla around filling, tucking in the ends.

Wrap tightly in plastic wrap and refrigerate for several hours or overnight. Unwrap, cut each roll in half on the bias, then re-roll and pack for picnic.

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Cranberry Turkey Wraps
2 Spinach Garden Tortilla Wraps
4 oz Cranberry Sauce
1 cup Romaine Lettuce
2 Provolone Cheese Slices
4 oz Smoked Turkey Deli Sliced
2 roasted Red Bell Peppers from a jar

Warm tortillas just enough to make rolling easier, about 1 or 2 minutes on a flat griddle.

Spread Cranberry sauce over each tortilla wrap.

Tear lettuce into small pieces and scatter over the cranberry sauce.

Cut each cheese slice in half and lay two halves at one end of the wrap.

Scatter thin slices of turkey over the wrap. Cut each bell pepper into strips. Lay strips of red pepper down the center.

Roll tortilla around filling, tucking in the ends. Wrap tightly in plastic wrap and refrigerate for several hours or overnight. Unwrap, cut each roll in half on the bias, then re-roll and pack for picnic.

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Roast Beef Cheddar Wrap
1 cup Green Leaf Lettuce
2 oz Cream Cheese
1/2 tablespoon prepared Horseradish
2 Whole Wheat or Rosemary Tortilla Wraps
4 sliced Sharp Cheddar Cheese
4 oz sliced Roast Beef, deli cut

Tear lettuce into small pieces and set aside.

Mix softened cream cheese with horseradish. Set aside.

Warm tortillas just enough to make rolling easier, about 1 or 2 minutes on a flat griddle.

Spread cream cheese mixture over the tortillas. Scatter torn lettuce over the cream cheese mixture. Lay 4 slices of cheese on each tortilla. Top with roast beef.

Roll tortilla around filling, tucking in the ends. Wrap tightly in plastic wrap and refrigerate for several hours or overnight. Unwrap, cut each roll in half on the bias, then re-roll and pack for picnic.

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• Other Ideas and Tasty Recipes:
• Cheater’s Deli Macaroni Salad
• Picnic Crab Rolls
• Complete Picnic Featuring Roast Beef Croissant Sandwiches