Good Beach Treats

 This is beach season, n dougt about it. It's a fun time, being out in sun and sea air. The last somehow creates an appetite and that means satsisfying . Time to bring the cooler full of cool drinks and good food.

Regular contributir, cookbook author and actor Naz Deravian wrote about the perfect beach picnic in yesterday's New York Times Food section.It all starts with the right cooler. Choose one with a large insulated interior.Lauren Rivard, founder of the Picnic Collective , a picnic catering company out of Costa Mesa, California strongly suggests avoiding coolers with multiple compartments like those soft collapsable coolers with various sleeves and pockets. These take up space. As far as the containers for sandwiches, dips and treats, use  lightweight , reusable containers that fit into your cooler. (Any store has these) DO NOT use glass ones. These are heavy and not safe to use outdoors. Remember to place the heavier, perishable items at the bottm, then slip in the smaller rounder shaped ones like cans and thermoses in mooks and crannies. TO keep the cooler from loosing its' cool,Alanna O'Neil a photographer on Maui and the author of "The Art Of Picnics: Seasonal Outdoor entertaining." recommneds freezing all your water , sodas and juices the night before. This knot only chills what's on top of them but creates a nice even base. They also melt less quicker than ice cubes.

What foods should go into the cooler? Beach proof ones.Think sturdy foods that can stand hours outside without getting soggy.wrap sandwiches in parchment paper and then place in baggies to reduce condensation. Ms. Deravian gives two recipes. One is for am artichoke and olive farro salad. The recipe calls for farro,a hearty grain which travels well. It has marinated artichokes and olives along with crumbled feta and red onions. You could add chopped bell peppers and halved grape tomatoes too. You can sub in orzo too or make a tasty orzo - veggie salad with tomatoes and broccoli florets. There is also a ranch dip, perfect with those bags of potato chips or chilled crudiutes. It's made with full fat Greek yogurt,garlic, dill and chives along with Kosher salt. A tablespoon of lemon juice gives it zing. What about dessert? Think chill grapes, watermelon and pineapple chunks.  Ms Rivard recommneds adding a  thermos of chilled coffee or tea in an insulated flask for a pick me up along with those indiviually wrapped RIce Krispie treats for a sugar rush. These can be bought or homemade.

It's beach weather . Head to it with a cooler of good food and chill drinks.It's perfect for enjoying the sea and sand.