Beaches and picnics, two favorite summer activities that go together hand in hand, which is actually how one eats on the beach. That’s why having plenty finger foods in your cooler makes the days spent lounging on our ultra white sand shores that much more awesome!

Having a picnic on a beach takes a little foresight to ensure you have all the essential beach picnic items to create an amazing day at the beach! When you bring one of these tasty treats recommended by the caring staff at the Sea Oats Motel in sunny Destin, Florida, eating at the beach is easy, refreshing and simply delicious!

 

Beach Fruit Snacks

Cool fruit treats are perfect for beach picnics, and one of our favorite recipes are easy fruit skewers to beat the summer heat while saving plates and utensils for the main course.

Watermelon

Mango

Strawberries

Kiwi

Lemon juice

Cut up fruit into bite sized squares and sprinkle with lemon juice. Alternate each fruit on bamboo skewers for easy serving at snack time. Wrap the batch in tin foil and keep in the cooler. Other fruits can be used, just avoid apples and bananas, which can brown throughout the day and look rather unappetizing. Also fun… vanilla flavored yogurt for dipping fruit into.  Yum!

 

BBQ Summer Shrimp with our fresh, locally caught seafood.

Perfect beach fare on a stick!

Ingredients

• 2 tablespoons white sugar
• 1 tablespoon minced fresh parsley
• 1 tablespoon finely minced garlic
• 1 tablespoon minced ginger
• 3 tablespoons soy sauce
• 2 tablespoons lemon juice
• 2 pounds extra large shrimp (16-20), peeled and deveined, tail can be left on12 (10 inch) wooden skewers

In a large bowl or large zip-top bag, mix together the sugar, parsley, garlic, ginger, soy sauce, and lemon juice. Add the shrimp, and toss well to coat. Marinate in the refrigerator for 1 hour to overnight. Preheat a grill for medium-high heat. Soak skewers in water. Thread shrimp onto skewers, and grill until they are pink and firm, 2 to 3 minutes per side. (This can be done in your suite’s fully equipped kitchen at the Sea Oats Motel, before leaving and wrapped in foil or plastic bags and put into a cooler)

 

Blackberry Lemon Bars

Trade heavier, traditional desserts for lighter fare at the beach, like these blackberry lemon bars that are easier to cut into individual servings before packing for an easy serve dessert.

Ingredients

• 2 cups uncooked oats, either quick or old-fashioned
• 2 cups all purpose flour
• 1 1/4 cups light brown sugar, firmly packed
• 1 cup walnuts, chopped and lightly toasted
• 1 1/2 teaspoons ground cinnamon
• 1/4 teaspoon grated nutmeg
• 1 teaspoon grated lemon zest
• 1/2 teaspoon salt
• 2 tablespoons fresh lemon juice
• 1 cup butter or margarine, chilled (cut into small pieces)
• Cooking spray for pan
• 12 ounce jar of seedless blackberry jam or preserves

Heat oven to 325 degrees F. In a large mixing bowl toss together oats, flour, brown sugar, walnuts, cinnamon, nutmeg, lemon zest and salt until well blended. Sprinkle mixture with lemon juice, then with a pastry blender or two knives, cut in the butter pieces until mixture is crumbly. Spray a 9 x 13 inch baking pan with non-stick cooking spray. Set aside 2 cups of the oat mixture, sprinkle remainder in pan, pressing with fingers to form a crust. Bake for about 10 minutes, or until set. Let cool slightly, spread blackberry jam evenly over crust. Sprinkle evenly with reserved oat mixture, pressing down gently. Return to oven and bake for 15 to 20 minutes, or until crust is golden brown.

 

The beach pros at the Sea Oats Motel say to decide what you’re taking to the beach a day beforehand and don’t forget to bring along the insulated cooler or tote to make sure your food and drinks are icy cold on your hot beach adventure on the Emerald Coast!

Don’t forget take along some entertaining outdoor games, like Corn Hole and Ladder Toss for some fun beach games and activities, or some more traditional favorites including a kite, Frisbee, beach ball and volleyball. Of course, sunscreen is a must have also, and a blanket to spread out over the sand to sit in.

Or take advantage of our great beach services and have some comfy beach chairs and umbrellas set up for your family.

For more beach tips, ideas and recipes for your visit to our pristine coastal paradise in Destin Florida, call the Sea Oats Motel to learn more about why you need to be here on our gorgeous beaches or to book your stay! 833-803-3320