The Perfect Picnic
Charleston has been blessed with some beautiful weather this week. It almost feels like fall. So to get the most out of these 80 degree, low humidity days I decided to plan a picnic. Picnics are a wonderful way to be leisurely in nature with people you love. On top of sunshine and fresh air, picnics also imply yummy food. But I didn’t want to spend hours in the kitchen just to spend hours outside. Picnic food should be simple, light and easily transportable.
Sandwiches
The classic easy to take food. However, your picnic is no place for tired peanut butter and jelly. Unless you want sandwiches for the rest of the week, don’t go out and purchase artisan mayonnaise to build the perfect sandwich. When you want the best, go to an expert. Simply head to your favorite local sandwich shop and purchase your favorite sandwich for you and your guests. Since you’re sharing, have them slice the sandwiches into halves, thirds or fourths.
Accoutrements
To spread your meal and give you more time to spend with friends, bring more food! The primary thing to keep in mind when choosing sides is to choose foods that keep well at room temperature. Nothing would ruin a day in the park more than an upset tummy. For my picnic I served a cheese plate of gouda, chipotle cheddar, blackberries, figs, and sliced baguette; pickled asparagus; and olives and feta salad.
Beverage
A light, bright white wine would be the perfect accompaniment to a summer picnic. This could also be a chance to break out a rose. If children are present an agua fresca would be a refreshing choice. I chose to bring my favorite sparkling juice, Blackberry Izze.
Dessert
To round out the meal dessert is a must! For my picnic I decided to end with a trip to an ice cream shop. Cookies, brownies, lemon bars, really just anything sweet, handheld, and not messy.
Don’t forget your blanket! Sitting directly on the ground and fighting ants for your food takes a lot of the fun out of a picnic. Plates, silverware, cups are also things to not forget. Serve your dishes one by one to extend your picnic and keep critters from wanting to join in on your lavish spread. Hosting a picnic for a large group of people? Have everyone bring a dish to ease the strain on one person. And lastly choose a great location. Picnics are a wonderful opportunity to check out your local parks. I dined under a large oak tree in Hampton Park, but Charleston hosts a myriad of great park options: Colonial Lake, The Battery, Waterfont Park, Marion Square…
Load up your basket and enjoy the great outdoors!
