With the family, among friends or just the two of you, picnics are a favourite summer activity. Some like to picnic in the park, close to the conveniences of the big city; others prefer to venture further into the great outdoors. Wherever it is, this al fresco meal requires a little planning. Here’s what we suggest…
In my picnic basket, there are:
The basics: a tablecloth or blanket, utensils, plates, glasses, serving utensils, napkins and a corkscrew.
The essentials: a cooler or thermal bag, ice packs to keep the food cold, airtight containers to hold the leftovers, garbage bags, a plastic bag for the dirty dishes, and wipes for sticky hands and dirty faces.
The little extras: for the sophisticated picnicker, a folding table, camp chairs and a mini-grill; for sticklers for details, decorations, cushions, streamers, music and anything else you can think of to create a little ambiance.
The sandwiches
That classic of classics—the sandwich—is picnic perfection. It’s easy to make, carry and eat, and can be adapted beautifully to every picnicker’s tastes.
Gourmet tip: vary the breads, condiments, cheeses, vegetables, cold cuts and other proteins so everybody’s happy.
The salads
Fresh and flavourful, salads are as versatile as they are delicious. Whether they’re grain-based, legume-based, vegetable-based or even fruit-based, they’re the perfect accompaniment for a summer picnic.
Gourmet tip: for a practical and fun way to transport your salads, layer your ingredients in a transparent glass jar.
The platter
For a more elegant picnic, assemble cold cuts, cheeses, bread and some dried fruit. A little wine wouldn’t be out of place either! Then lay out a sumptuous, mouth-watering platter.
Gourmet tip: cold cuts and cheeses don’t last long in the heat. Make sure you keep them in a well-chilled cooler and avoid taking them for too long a journey.
The vegetables
Crunchy vegetables are delicious with a dip. For energy, opt for protein-rich snacks like humus or a tofu-based dip, and keep your cut crudités in airtight containers to keep them fresh.
Gourmet tip: on a picnic, avoid yogurt- or dairy-based dips to prevent them from going bad.
The fruits
Colourful, sweet and very juicy, fruits are a must for the picnic basket. Rinse them before leaving and keep them cold in the cooler so they’re as refreshing as possible.
Gourmet tip: to prevent your fruits from turning black, turn them into a fruit salad tossed with lime juice.
The snacks
Don’t forget the treats: chips to go with the sandwiches, cakes for dessert and granola bars for those afternoon cravings.
Gourmet tips: prepare some extra-special protein-packed snacks, such as banana bread, date squares or energy balls.
The drinks
Wine or beer for the parents, juice for the kids: classic! But for a delightful surprise, try sangria in an airtight pitcher, or flavoured water. Above all, don’t forget to bring plenty of water.
Gourmet tip: use frozen fruits to flavour your drinks. They’ll keep them icy-cool and add a delicious gourmet touch.
Now that your basket and cooler are ready, simply add an outdoor game or two, sunscreen and a camera to capture the good times.
