Even though it's a rainy May1st where I am, nonetheless it's the start of picnic month. This is th etime of year to brush off the hampers and get the brain going on sandwich ideas. What to make? What to bring? What to drink? What goes with what ? What would go good where? These are all big picnic questions.
As always sandwiches are a good idea. You can create a provencale them with crusty baguettes, sundried tomatoes and aioli sauce (basically mayo with a touch of garlic and a few drops of olive oil added). With this you cana add a fresh onion salad. You can also bring a salad Nicoise, that lovely concoction of various lettuces , tuna, hard boiled eggs and black olives. Add some fresh tomatoes, broccoli and cauliflower and you've got a good meal. Add a few bottles of Orangina or Italian lemonade and it's a a great meal for an early season beach day. if you're planning on going hiking then bring ham and roast beef sandwiches on some hearty rye along with a strong cup of coffee. to keep you alert. (you never know who you'll run into) some granola bars and oatmeal cookies.
For a more elegant evening kind of picnic, think about a small roast chicken you can get at your local grocery store. Add some asparagus or string bean salad. For sandwiches bring a small container of tarragon infused mayo or Dijon mustard and some pre cut croissants. You can also add a small bottle of champagne or white whine and finish off with a lovely chocolate or angel food gateau. Some fresh fruits would be appreciated here and you can bring some strawberries or raspberries to end the meal along with chocolates.
May is the perfect month to go out and enjoy the fine days. This includes packing a picnic and heading to the beach, mountains or your backyard. Enjoy the fresh air and warm temps with a good meal.
Showing posts with label hamper. Show all posts
Showing posts with label hamper. Show all posts
Friday, May 1, 2009
Wednesday, July 16, 2008
Picnic Time is Summertime
Nothing is quite so much fun as a summer picnic. You can have a fun one in the sand and surf or a civilized one under the stars. Food can be as simple as heroes and chips or as sophisticated as cold chicken with pesto sauce and champagne. The fun part about picnics is to be creative. Have old standards mix with new favorites.
Before you even being to buy your food, make sure you have a good cooler. There are several to choose from these days. Luckily most places like Target and K-Mart have them on sale. Pick one that you can easily haul with you to the beach or the park(something on wheels and can fit into your car's trunk is probably the most desirable).Make sure that it can carry not just food but drinks as well. There are some high tech ones that have radios and I Pod stations for music. However sometimes just sticking with the simplest is best. For more elegant picnics there are the traditional wicker hampers. These come with china and utensils as well as napkins and ground coverings. This is great if you always want to eat "out" in style however fully stocked hampers can range from $200 to $300.
Once you've bought your cooler then you can plan your picnic. Make sandwiches that day so they're fresher tasting. A lot of people make them the night before and somehow they become soggy after ten hours the fridge Heroes are always preferred. They're fun to eat plus you can put a medley of diff rent cold cuts and veggies on them. As far as as dressings, mustard and ketchup are your safest bets along with oil and vinegar. Mayo is fine if you have a good cooler that will keep the sandwich chilled (otherwise it's a quick run to the ER - a difficult maneuver if you're in the woods or at the beach).If you're thinking about bringing salads then make these the night before. Instead of mayo, think about a tangy raspberry vinaigrette for your slaw or Italian dressing with sliced peppers and onions for your macaroni sandwiches. Pack chips, popcorn or tortilla chips. Keep drinks simple with juice boxes or canned soda.As for dessert, another keep it simple course. Have fun blueberries, strawberries or even cookies that the kids can grab and munch. Leave out Popsicles and ice cream bars which can be messy.
For a more elegant picnic, think cold meats. The English have this cornered with their hampers full of sliced ham and cold roasted chicken. You can also indulge in a Tuscan outdoor meal. Pack prosciutto or mortadella along with a loaf of crusty Italian bread. What's a good side with any of these? A crisp string bean and minced onion salad in a vinaigrette dressing. Also have on hand sliced tomatoes.This is the kind of meal that calls for champagne. If you want bring it along with a cooler and plenty of ice. Keep dessert simple with melon slices and shortbread cookies.
This is the season for a picnic. You can make it as all American as a hero with chips or as elegant with cold chicken breast and chilled drinks. Just make sure it's fun time out in the fresh air.
Before you even being to buy your food, make sure you have a good cooler. There are several to choose from these days. Luckily most places like Target and K-Mart have them on sale. Pick one that you can easily haul with you to the beach or the park(something on wheels and can fit into your car's trunk is probably the most desirable).Make sure that it can carry not just food but drinks as well. There are some high tech ones that have radios and I Pod stations for music. However sometimes just sticking with the simplest is best. For more elegant picnics there are the traditional wicker hampers. These come with china and utensils as well as napkins and ground coverings. This is great if you always want to eat "out" in style however fully stocked hampers can range from $200 to $300.
Once you've bought your cooler then you can plan your picnic. Make sandwiches that day so they're fresher tasting. A lot of people make them the night before and somehow they become soggy after ten hours the fridge Heroes are always preferred. They're fun to eat plus you can put a medley of diff rent cold cuts and veggies on them. As far as as dressings, mustard and ketchup are your safest bets along with oil and vinegar. Mayo is fine if you have a good cooler that will keep the sandwich chilled (otherwise it's a quick run to the ER - a difficult maneuver if you're in the woods or at the beach).If you're thinking about bringing salads then make these the night before. Instead of mayo, think about a tangy raspberry vinaigrette for your slaw or Italian dressing with sliced peppers and onions for your macaroni sandwiches. Pack chips, popcorn or tortilla chips. Keep drinks simple with juice boxes or canned soda.As for dessert, another keep it simple course. Have fun blueberries, strawberries or even cookies that the kids can grab and munch. Leave out Popsicles and ice cream bars which can be messy.
For a more elegant picnic, think cold meats. The English have this cornered with their hampers full of sliced ham and cold roasted chicken. You can also indulge in a Tuscan outdoor meal. Pack prosciutto or mortadella along with a loaf of crusty Italian bread. What's a good side with any of these? A crisp string bean and minced onion salad in a vinaigrette dressing. Also have on hand sliced tomatoes.This is the kind of meal that calls for champagne. If you want bring it along with a cooler and plenty of ice. Keep dessert simple with melon slices and shortbread cookies.
This is the season for a picnic. You can make it as all American as a hero with chips or as elegant with cold chicken breast and chilled drinks. Just make sure it's fun time out in the fresh air.
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