Puttin’ that Picnic Together
Just like the people who serve them, picnics vary from homespun to drama-filled. If it’s a fun, stress-free day you’re after, the task can be as easy as slapping together a few sandwiches, grabbing bags of chips and cookies, and packing paper serveware.
If you’re taking a style-savvy approach, you’ll need to plan more carefully. Linens, real dishes, and even a few decorations, and a more distinctive menu are in order. Whichever route you choose, remember that you’ve got to cart every single thing along.and take a good share back too. So make sure your site is accessible and that you’ve got good help or a strong lumbar!
As a rule of thumb, simple is good. Limit your menu. It’ll be easier to get food there unscrambled. (Might be tough to keep a wavy meringue intact if you’re hiking up a mountain.) And make sure you can maintain food temps (take our word for it -- food poisoning isn’t pretty). If you’re planning to have fun yourself, keep on-site prep to a minimum. With all the ready-made gourmet treats on store shelves these days, you might find that it’s as easy to serve pate as PB&J.
Before you hit the picnic trail, hike through our equipment checklist and theme ideas.
Picnic essentials:
- basket
- cooler
- food
- beverage (freeze the water overnight to keep the rest of the food cool)
- plastic or stainless utensils
- paper or cotton napkins
- paper or ceramic dinnerware
- wicker or plastic plate holders, if necessary
- drinkware (plastic to make life easier)
- corkscrew/bottle opener
- eating surface, from linen spread on the ground to full-fledged table and chairs
- tablecloth or blanket
- decorative elements (hurricane candles, just-plucked wildflowers, a beautiful dessert)
- sunscreen
- bug spray/citronella candles
- wet wipes
For an old-fashioned 4th of July:
- hot dogs
- hamburgers
- condiments
- corn on the cob
- potato salad
- cole slaw
- gelatin
- watermelon
- blueberry pie
- lemonade
- beer
For a day at the beach:
- shrimp & dip
- crab-cake sandwiches
- chilled seafood jambalaya
- chilled grilled vegetables
- cucumber mint salad (don’t try applying this to your eyes!)
- ice cream (from the boardwalk vendor)
- iced tea
- bottled water
For culture under the stars:
- gourmet cheese plate
- pate or caviar
- salmon mousse
- baguettes & crackers
- goat cheese tartlets
- shrimp caesar salad
- chocolate dipped strawberries
- choice of mini desserts
- sweet sherry or wine
For an ethnic adventure:
- Chinese takeout or…
- hummus and baba ganouj
- pita triangles
- curry chicken
- beef satay
- chilled couscous salad
- lentil salad
- baklava
- dates and dried apricots
- pomegranates
For a tailgate party:
- pizza
- crusty Italian bread
- lunch meat & cheese tray
- corn chips and salsa
- gourmet brownies or s’mores
- spiked cider
- hot chocolate
- steaming coffee
-- Michelle Nellett
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