Picnics are a delight to all when well organized and managed correctly. And the perfect picnic is always a time long remembered.
One key to a successful picnic is that much of the food is prepared at home, and then transported to an outdoor setting. Don’t waste your time during the picnic to make dishes that can be made the night before and stored in airtight containers. Use this time to enjoy yourself with family and friends.
When deciding upon a location for your picnic you have a great variety of choices. But whether it is a beach, a grassy knoll overlooking a trickling brook, or a designated picnic area, your goal is to be certain your picnic is fun and relaxing.
What to Bring
Before you pack your picnic cooler take a stroll through your garden and pick some nice ripe vegetables or whatever you might have growing. Fresh strawberries straight from the garden are always a favorite. If you don’t have a garden take a trip to your local fruit stand. The fruits and vegetables that you buy here will usually be much fresher than the items that you buy at the local grocery store.
Be sure and include a few sprigs of mint when you pack. Put these in the center of your picnic blanket or tablecloth to keep the bees away. Take a few extra sprigs to enhance the flavor of the lemonade. A tray of oregano, basil and chives allows guests to take a piece of whatever they choose to add to other greens.
For a beautiful centerpiece, scoop the center out of a head of cabbage to make a bowl. Set it in the center of a colorful tray and place carrot sticks, celery, green peppers, broccoli and cauliflower around it. Fill the “cabbage bowl” with spinach dip. This adds color and a touch of class to your picnic.
Plant pansies or petunias in mugs for each of your guests. These can be set beside each plate. When your guests leave, they can take them home, transplant the flowers and keep the mug as a memento of the great day you spent together.
If your picnic is going to take place in the evening, add a citronella candle to your box of supplies. This adds a nostalgic atmosphere and keeps pesky bugs away.
You can choose to prepare all of your food beforehand, taking only things that are ready to serve, or you can take a few prepared foods and cook the rest on the barbecue or grill.
Be sure to add cups, plates, serving utensils, a serrated knife, cutting board, napkins, flatware, salt and pepper and trash bags to your picnic basket. The use of picnic baskets and picnic totes help in keeping your picnic well organized.
Add items to your basket for special picnics. For example, a romantic picnic is more of a hit with crystal wine glasses and fine china along with your wine carried in an elegant wicker wine basket. On the other hand, a family picnic will be more successful if you add a pair of binoculars, a kite and a Frisbee to your basket. This type of picnic calls for sunscreen and insect repellent.
Unwanted Guests
Ants, clouds, and bees are not the only threat to an enjoyable day. Always keep foods in the refrigerator until you are ready to pack your basket. Add a bag of ice or ice packs to keep food cool. Cold foods should be kept at a cool 40 degrees. Never pack your picnic cooler too full. Be sure there is room for air circulation. Hot foods should be kept at 140 degrees or above. This avoids turning your picnic into a salmonella delight.
Keep uncooked meats in airtight containers so juices cannot contaminate other food when transporting them to the picnic. Wash hands, surfaces and utensils before and after handling uncooked meats.
Raw and perishable foods contain bacteria or parasites. When these foods are served undercooked or are prepared, handled or refrigerated improperly, dangerous toxins may develop. This can cause guests to become ill from food poisoning, which causes flu-like symptoms, which makes your picnic not quite so successful.
If salads cannot be kept cold, use vinegar-based salad dressing as opposed to mayonnaise based dressings. Mayonnaise can cause food poisoning if not kept at 40 degrees or cooler.
Wash all produce with cold water before cooking and eating. Cold water helps remove bacteria and toxins such as pesticides.
Always marinate meats in the refrigerator. Boil marinade for a full ten minutes before pouring over cooked foods.
Keep It Simple
If you follow these tips and use your imagination you will have an enjoyable and unforgettable day in the great outdoors. Your food will be fresh and you will keep microscopic guests away.
Remember, there is no need to cook elaborate foods for a quality picnic. The simplest picnic recipes are delicious when eaten under nature’s canopy.
Enjoy!
Ellen