When the weather warms up and flowers bloom, people start thinking of enjoying the great outdoors. Picnics are a great way to get out in the sunshine and enjoy the warmer months. Chances are you already have all of the equipment required for a successful picnic – if you have a blanket, and a cooler, you have what you need.
You don’t want to just toss whatever you find in your fridge into the cooler and call it a picnic, though. Picnics should be more than eating the same old food, only outside. Whether you are going to picnic at a park, in your yard, at the beach, or at an outdoor attraction, a little planning helps turn a picnic into a special and fun meal. Consider including the following as picnic fare:
Potato salad: Potato salad is a flavorful, creamy, enjoyable staple of picnics. Potato salad will usually keep for several hours in a cooler, so it is a good choice to pack. You can get sweet potato salads, mustard-based salads, salads with bits of pickle or olive in them; there’s a variety for nearly any taste. If you don’t have the time to make your own, often you can pick up potato salad at a deli or grocery.
Watermelon: Watermelon is a fun and easy option for picnics, and kids love it. Watermelon can be eaten with hands, and cleanup is a breeze.
If you want to make it easier to serve the melon, you can always cut up the fruit before you leave home. Cut it into cubes and store in Tupperware, in the cooler. If you don’t want to take the time and trouble to cut it up, purchase pre-packed watermelon at the store.
Bread and cheese: Round out your picnic menu with some bread and cheese. It is a hearty, easy option that is delicious and easy. Simply go to the store and pick up a loaf of a sturdy, crusty bread like a baguette, and choose a type of cheese. Slice both bread and cheese at home and pack up for easy eating once you’re at your picnic location.
Deviled eggs: Deviled eggs are popular and taste great. They work in a variety of settings, but some are better than others. Picnics are perfect settings for deviled eggs.
After all, deviled eggs are finger foods. They can be eaten in one or two bites, and are not difficult or messy to handle. They also have a pleasingly creamy texture, but also include some crunch.
Access various other pieces of work created by this author covering things including the digital candy thermometer and the remote thermometer.