Picnic Perfection

Summer is here, and what better way to make use of the sweltering season than al fresco dining? It’s the time of long lazy suppers on the patio, weekend barbecue get-togethers, and of course, picnics. Who doesn’t love picnics? Whether a romantic rendezvous or a sweet family affair, they are the epitome of bucolic bliss. A red-and-white gingham cloth; a woven basket filled with goodies; the chirp of birds above, butterflies fluttering through, and a softly rustling breeze. Ah, magic!

Okay, let’s face it. In my house, at least, it generally looks more like this: first, shop for ingredients for that perfect outdoor meal. Get home, spend a couple hours chopping, shredding, and wrapping. Waste half an hour looking for that adorable picnic basket that I got as a gift three years ago. Find the basket, only to realize it won’t fit three-quarters of the food. Finally finish packing up and carry the basket to the car – along with four other bags and the giant cooler. Swear as I realize I forgot ice for the cooler. Make a stop on the way to get ice. Get to the park. Spend twenty minutes looking for the perfect shady spot. Haul everything out to shady spot. Unpack. Witness with dismay that the ice somehow soaked through the lovingly prepared sandwiches, while the fresh strawberries got stuck under the cooler and now resemble a crime scene. Meanwhile, instead of the fluttering butterflies, a hostile swarm of bees is planning an attack, the breeze is blowing paper plates in our faces, and the chirping birds are threatening to drop more than leaves into the food. With a deep breath I reach for the bottle of Chardonnay – only to realize the corkscrew is safely tucked away in the kitchen drawer. Inhale. Exhale. Picnics are fun – aren’t they?

Well, actually they can be. It’s just a matter of some planning and preparation – by which I mean maximizing laziness and minimizing the effort involved. Not without extensive trial and error, I’ve finally figured out a few steps to throwing together an outing that’s actually enjoyable – not exhausting.

Locate – the popular city park may be an obvious choice, but it can also mean lack of parking and scream-filled bouncy houses all around. And no matter how beautiful the location and delicious the food, you’re not going to enjoy it if you can’t find a relaxing spot to spread out. So skip the crowded locales and bring your basket somewhere cozy and quiet. Scope out offbeat spaces ahead of time – a cute garden, grassy square, or even a backyard can make for a deliciously secret hideaway. Don’t forget to watch for the creepy-crawly populace too – nothing spoils a meal faster than sharing it with some uninvited guests.

Prep – if, like me, you’re challenged in the organization department, it helps to have a packing checklist, and to store essentials like dishes, blankets, and napkins in one spot. Hauling trunk-loads of stuff doesn’t make for picnic fun, so keep things light; consider sticking to foods that don’t need refrigeration (no cooler to drag!), don’t pack more than you’re going to eat, and think finger foods and personal portions to skip utensils. While those baskets that come with dishes included are adorable and eco-friendly, keep in mind you’ll need to take the dirty dishes back home, so steer clear of gooey messy eats if you’re using them. Throw in extra paper towels for surprise spills, and a real knife (ever try to cut anything with a plastic one?). And don’t forget the corkscrew or bottle opener if enjoying a drink with your meal – better yet, stick with twist-offs.

Simplify – it may be tempting to show off your culinary aptitude with panko-crusted chicken and triple-layer Meyer lemon squares. But the way I see it, the beauty of fresh air is that it already makes everything delicious, so take the excuse to keep things simple in the food department – no one will care that the coleslaw came from the deli department, and the bakery-fresh brownies will be gobbled up with no less enthusiasm. And for the classic picnic standby, you can’t go wrong with anything between two slices of bread: load up buttered baguettes with brie, grapes, and walnuts; mix crabmeat with mayo and pile onto brioche rolls; or stuff a pita with hummus and ready-made falafel. Throw in a container of favorite berries, pick up a box of miniature pastries, and voila – picnicky goodness with no plastic fork in sight.

Relax – my very favorite picnic recollection involves me and my husband-to-be, a grocery-store rotisserie chicken, a loaf of French bread, a bottle of wine, and a big cement block overlooking the ocean, on which we sat after our original elegant dinner plans got unexpectedly derailed, tearing chunks of crusty bread, sipping from the bottle, and watching the sun go down. The lesson? The best moments are often unplanned, so if the weather’s calling but you only have an hour to spare, grab a friend, a blanket, and a couple of take-out bags, and share some laughs as you try to wrangle your food away from the procession of friendly ants. After all, when has perfection ever made truly great memories?

 Kate Missine is a domestic diva, shopping addict, and worshiper of all things delicious. When she’s not chasing  after her toddler son, Kate can be found stirring things up in the kitchen, scouring grocery aisles for strange ingredients, or indulging in much-needed retail therapy. She holds a B.A. in Communications and Publishing and accepts pastries and shoes as currency. 

picnic location, пикник

Kate Missine