I love picnics but I know better than to plan elaborate menus weeks in advance. The best picnics are spontaneous, easy and weather proof. Living in New England where the weather can change around every corner you learn to be prepared. Pack for a beach day but prep for a picnic on the kitchen floor! Actually one of my favorite picnics of all time ended up taking place on the dash of the car while rain and fog totally obscured the view we drove 2 hours to see. Balancing plastic tubs of salads and snacks without dropping a chip in a 2 seater is a talent! It was a wonderful day and no ants!
Hollywood and classic literature are filled with ideal picnic outings, of course there is often a storm and a convenient gazebo so a kiss can be mixed in with the potato salad. It would be lovely to have a Jane Austen-esque outing, loved the one in Emma, complete with china and a staff to clear-be sure to read how a Jane Austen Picnic would be done---- but let's be a bit more realistic ---without losing any of the romance of course!! So let's pack...
picnicfun.com1. I own 2 picnic hampers-love them but to tell the truth they really aren't very practical but if you want romance..then go for it...visit Picnic Basket.com Actually a great option is a cooler tote is perfect, there are backpack styles, totes, some with wheels and even with built in grills..check out Keepyourcooler.com
2. Now let's fill it up!...What to eat with. In this day and age we may still live in a very disposable world but don't you feel guilty doing it? and who wants that stress on a picnic! China of course is a bit much, of course if you can pull off the candelabra and linen go for it! My choice...Melamine. Usually found in the nursery melamine is perfect for outdoor entertaining and of course picnics. Inexpensive and easy to find at stores like Target and Pier 1 etc. Good melamine dishes should be shatter proof, scratch resistant and yes! dishwasher safe. Pier I did these that mimic the look of paper plates as well as sets that work inside and out.
Pier 1
Love these customized and monogrammed plates from Kates Plates
Visit your local Party store for utensils, cups and mugs that look like plastic but can be tossed in the dishwasher and reused!! No guilt...
3. Sit on it! You need to be comfortable but you don't want to carry your sofa with you. So... try the Metro Seat
Pier 1Love these customized and monogrammed plates from Kates Plates
Visit your local Party store for utensils, cups and mugs that look like plastic but can be tossed in the dishwasher and reused!! No guilt...
3. Sit on it! You need to be comfortable but you don't want to carry your sofa with you. So... try the Metro Seat
and if you do love the look of a picnic blanket in your basket go for one with a rubber or nylon backing or be sure to place a line underneath.
4. Setting the mood..If picnicking at dusk or at an evening concert you need candlelight, but maybe the candelabra should stay at home. Go for Flameless candles and don't worry if they tip. Made from real wax these are battery operated and set the mood well.
5. Pick a Spot...I like to toss the basket in the car and just head out. Some of the best spots happen by wandering about. If you like to plan a bit more head for one of my favorite picnic spots, and I know I am not alone with this one,
-Tanglewood, the Berkshires are wonderful in any season but in the summer you will share it with tens of thousands of music lovers and the Boston Symphony. I don't care if you have to step over a few classical fans to find a spot the lawn at Tanglewood is a magical place and a summer concert on the lawn at Tanglewood is a picnic lover's paradise..not to mention pretty competitive, those are some serious picnics happening out there. You can also take your picnic to Edith Wharton's house The Mount (Edithwharton.org),The Norman Rockwell Museum
So...I bet you are wondering when do we eat??? OK...here's a quick Pick your Picnic Menu -Nothing elaborate just portable,easy, fast and not a lot of need for cooking or extra chilling-Enjoy!!
-Homemade Pickles-Slice up some pickling cucumbers and marinate overnight in a good vinegar and sugar cover and chill
-Potato Salad -We all have our favorites but try baby bliss with some celery bacon sliced and toss with a dijon vinaigrette -let sit overnight
-Snap Peas in Poppy Seed and Goat Cheese-Toss snap peas with a poppy seed dressing and goat cheese
-Greek Tuna Pasta Salad-a summer favorite. Add tuna, green pepper, olives if you like,celery, cherry tomatoes to your favorite pasta..mix with Greek dressing and chill overnight-better the longer it sits
-Pick up Sandwiches...fill baby whole wheat pita pockets with...1. Vegetable humus, grilled veggies 2. Turkey ,avocado, good grainy mustard and jarlesberg 3.Honey ham with honeycup mustard and swiss 4. Natural peanut butter and chunky strawberry jam 5. Sliced hard boiled eggs with dijon, celery and sweet relish
-Cheese-Pack firm cheese like Jarlsberg ..creamy cheeses will run with the weather ,be sure to have good bread on hand
-Carrots,Jicama,Snap Peas, Celery, Grapevine tomatoes, crisp cuke slices with humus or a Greek yogurt dip
-Melon Salad -layer melon balls and drizzle with yogurt and top with mint
-Tomato Watermelon Salad-toss watermelon chunks and grapevine tomatoes with feta or gorgonzola and mix in greek yogurt or raspberry vinaigrette
-Lemon Bars-pat your favorite sugar cookie dough into the bottom of bar pan and partial bake. Mix confectioners sugar with lemon juice,lemonpeel and 2 eggs and pour over crust and bake 20 min then dust with more confectioners sugar
-Peach Blueberry Pie-Use a ready to go crust like Oranoke...partial bake...slice peaches and toss with blueberries some Cinnamon and brown sugar... fill crust then make a crumble topping from butter, Cinnamon and sugar and top and bake til bubbly
-Pink lemonade in sugar frosted picnic friendly glasses
