The Supermarket Gourmet

by Buck Reed

The Art & Science of Picnicking

So, summer is here. This is a time when a person’s attention might turn to picnicking. Nothing piques someone’s interest quite like packing some carefully planned foods into a basket and traveling to a not-too-crowded park or riverbank. From there, a nice meal Alfresco can be enjoyed, which is an Italian term to mean eating outdoors in the fresh air. Also, no need for candles, unless you decide to bring a candle designed to keep mosquitoes at bay.

When we say picnic, this should not be confused with a cookout, where you travel to a secluded area to set up a grill with a fire and cook various foods. That’s just too much work. Picnics involve foods that are prepared in your kitchen, packed up, and leisurely consumed in your choice of venue. Baker Park comes to mind, or Cunningham Falls would be nice. I would say a beach, but there really isn’t one close and sand seems to ruin the experience.

So, what do you need? A picnic basket would be good for starters, but a cooler would work even better in some cases. A blanket is a must, unless you know you have access to a picnic table, as well as utensils for serving and eating your food. You can get fancy and bring actual plates and such, or you can go for paper plates and bowls. Or you can go bohemian and eat with your hands; it takes a little menu planning, but it can be done. You may need baby wipes or towelettes to clean your hands before and after the meal. When I was a personal chef and helped people with parties, I never liked clients who insisted on no utensils for eating. I always brought them anyway because people are going to ask. While you are at it, you might want to line up a nice sunny day. Just call the weather bureau and order one up—it’s just another service that is covered by your tax dollars.

A picnic can be a nice family affair or an intimate romantic gesture. Of course, if it’s the latter and it works out, you might have to hear from your significant other about how you never take them picnicking enough. Don’t worry too much about it, they will always find something you just don’t do anymore.

The food for your picnic is up to you and your guest’s tastes. I like thinking out of the box. Watermelon and feta salad comes to mind, or a sandwich made with fried green tomatoes. Old standbys include deviled eggs, sliced fruit, and macaroni salad. Cold fried chicken is always tasty (does anyone have enough cold fried chicken in their fridge?). Of course, a prepared and wrapped sandwich is a standard but welcome choice.

If you want to go the fancy route, try a Charcuterie Board. A tray with various sliced meats and cheeses, displayed with nuts, fruits, and some tasty spreads and sauces, is a great way to introduce a variety of flavors to your outing. Add a loaf of crusty bread, crackers, or crostini, and you have a winner. An array of antipasti or tapas might also bring a bit of European flare to your picnic meal, without all that pesky international travel.

A picnic can be an enjoyable experience, whether planned or spontaneous. Just keep an eye out for ants and those bears that claim to be “smarter than average.”