Warm Weather Prep

The temps are going to hit the 80's  and that means one thing - outdoor eating! It's time to gear up for barbecues and picnics. Before you say goodbye to indoor cooking and eating, there's a few things to consider

It is time to set out the grill. Before you roast anything, take a long look at your old one. Try it out. Does it still work?If anything seems off or faulty then start looking at new ones. Lowe's and Home Depot have pre-season sales so now is the time to buy a name brand. Also, if you feel you need a bigger one, then switch out before they become more popular and your choices become limited. If you're happy with your old one, then it's time for cleaning. You should have grill cleaning tools to help along with soap. If you want to go all natural, baking soda and/or distilled vinegar should do the trick. Buy grill cleaning wipes too.They will help in cleaning those hard to reach nooks and crannies. Also buy an ash shovel, a stainless steel scooper and scraper which removes any of last year's residual ashes.Check all energy sources too. Buy a new tank of butane or check cords and wires if you have an electric grill.This is also the time to add on to the grill. Think about a condiment basket where you can store sauces , ketchup and mustard along with grill pans and heating tents.

That other outdoor activity - picnics are on people''s minds too as the temps heat up. As with the grill, look at your cooler and decide if you need a new one or will keep the one you have. If you were unhappy with a smaller one, then upgrade to a larger , rolling one. This is perfect for the park or the beach and is excellent for camping. It not only keeps drinks and water cool, but also salad containers too. There are also insulated picnic baskets too. These fit comfortably in any trunk or back seat. Again this is perfect for sandwiches, snacks and drinks.There are also picnic tote bag which packs a smaller meal for two or three people. Another aspect to think about is what kind of containers to buy. You could go with Tupperware which is pricey but durable.  - think a life span of over ten years but you can go with cheaper ones from Target,,Wal-Mart and even grocery stores such as Acme and Stop & Shop. For a more environmentally friendly basket , also consider melanine plates and utensils instead of styrofoam and paper plates and cups.These can be bought at Target in fun colors and patterns.Have plastic utensils too and reuse these, instead of throwing them out.

It's the season for eating out . Fire up the grill and get the picnic basket ready.It's time  to food al fresco again.

Camping Cuisine

Camping is one of those fun summer trips that unites you with Mother Nature. It's sleeping under the stars,  swimming and splashing in streams and dining al fresco. Nothing beats the last and it's amazing what can be cooked at a campsite. You can have fun creating some tasty dishes over a campfire.

Before you embark, write out a plan of what you're going to eat. Also anticipate any monkey wrenches thrown in your path. If one of your fellow campers comes back with clams or a freshly caught fish , be prepared with the appropriate knives for shucking and deboning . A Swiss army knife wouldn't go amiss so make sure you bring one. Bring a spatula  and a wooden spoon for stirring and mixing. Pack  a cast iron skillet which can be used  for everything from frying and baking to cooking pancakes. Buy a cooking grate which looks like the top of a cheap barbecue grill. It's great for cooking steaks and burgers along with veggies and toasting bread. You can also buy a cook stove, basically a burner with a base that's usually fuelled by propane. These can be easily had at any store , from L.L. Bean to Sears.If you go with a campfire , know when it's ready to use. Build one an hour before cooking so the fire burns down and there are no big flames.The coals should be hot enough now to cook a full meal on the fire.

One of the best ideas for camping cuisine is eating local. Many camp sites are located near farms and some near oceans and lakes. Take advantage of this. Buy fresh veggies and fruit. Take advantage of local dairies for milk, cream , butter and even eggs. If you're camping near the beach, then buy local seafood. Nothing beats boiled fresh lobster with  a tin of dairy fresh melted butter. Think dehydrated foods too. Companies like Alpine Aire and Mountain House sell  these and they have a wide range of different dishes, from granola for breakfast to beef Stroganoff and chicken chili for lunch and dinner. You can bring a cooler too for steaks and burgers but make sure it's always cold and you have plenty of ice or get ice for it.Bring dried spices along .These are light to pack and can zing up your meats and  veggies.Of course make sure you have the ingredients for that campfire .classic, s'mores. Keep the chocolate in the cooler until you're ready to use it.

Eating al fresco is the best. There's nothing like cooking and eating under the stars.It's one of the perks of camping!