How about a cobb salad with mixed greens, grilled chicken breast, hard boiled eggs, bacon, avocado, tomato and blue cheese (if you do dairy)? Just add your favorite vinegarette and you're done! Cobb salads are extra hearty, easy to make and transport, eaten cold and make a great presentation. If it's really hot out, I also like to throw in olives to give it some tang to balance out the heaviness of the chicken, bacon, egg and cheese.

Or if you really want to do meatballs, you can do a Greek meatball salad. Just mix the ground beef with minced onion, garlic, mint and basil and make mini meatballs. Once they've cooled down a little, toss them in a salad of romaine lettuce, cherry tomatoes, cucumber, red onion, kalamata olives and feta. Use tzatziki or a mixture of olive oil, Dijon mustard and red wine vinegar as the salad dressing. If you want to get extra fancy, you can also toss in sun dried tomatoes, roasted bell pepper, capers, marinated mushrooms and marinated artichokes.

How about some cold buffalo wings!? These are awesome and everyone loves cold chicken (I think).

http://www.primalappetite.com/primal-buffalo-wings/

Jamie

Ha I had the same question on my mind for a swim party coming up. I was thinking deviled eggs are always a family favorite and found these two recipes: http://fastpaleo.com/most-devilish-eggs/ and http://www.marksdailyapple.com/fat-guacamole-devils/

I've had the same question for a while! I'm going to a bbq baby shower in a few weeks and I was thinking about bringing this beet jicama avocado salad:

http://cfscceat.blogspot.com/2010/04/beet-jicama-avocado-salad.html

I bookmarked this recipe recently just for the same situation! Summer "pasta" salad using spaghetti squash. And no mayo type ingredients so it's safer sitting out in the sun than some recipes. Sounds yummy.

http://fastpaleo.com/summer-pasta-salad/

Also this mixed salad would be a good side- Sweet potato bacon pomegranate blueberry salad. Long name amazing salad :)

http://fastpaleo.com/sweet-potato-bacon-pomegranate-blueberry-salad/

Good luck and have fun!

Lettuce wraps? Fritatta...

fruit salad. shrimp/chicken kabobs. bottle of chardonnay.

Pork Rinds. Like Chips. Easy to pack. They are sorta messy so its good to be outside. None of the grocery store brands are organic, but none of them contained any misc. oils either. High in protein, zero carb. They are my new favorite snack.

I just went on a picnic at a favorite winery in Sonoma County. Before Paleo my go to picnic was crusty french bread, cheese and meats, chips salsa. I had a great meal with spicy chicken wings, peppered salami, pickles, olives, marinated asparagus, sliced strawberries with some dark chocolate. It was tasty and satisfying, and did not miss the bread or chips.

I am having the same problem. I love all the ideas, I'm just not comfortable bringing a meat dish. I think I will either make a "raw fruit pie" or chocolate moose.