Temps are getting warmer, days are stretching and we are heading outdoors! Spring and summer picnics are a delightful way to keep trekking when we go outside. Whether it’s a trail hike, a simple walk along the river, bike ride or out on the front lawn, taking a few bites to eat along on your adventure means you don’t have to go home or stop at a restaurant to munch. Find a spot, set out your blanket or tablecloth and lay out your feast.
Picnics are the ultimate “take out” or “fast food”. Even though they are made at home and by hand, they only need to unpacked and eaten while on the move. This week, we are on the hunt for great take a long items for family fun or romantic duo outdoor eats.
Sandwiches; Lets begin with finger foods
Smoky “BLT” ~ by Country Living
Our first recipe is incredibly simple, filled with sophisticated flavors and it’s delicious. It begins with a fabulous rosemary mayonnaise, which is a combination of rosemary, olive oil, garlic, mayonnaise, salt, pepper and lemon juice. mayonnaise recipe here. It is followed by stacking smokey blue cheese, romaine lettuce and beefsteak tomatoes on pillowy slices of country bread. Full recipe here
Tuna Nicoise Sandwich ~ by Martha Stewart
While a simple tuna sandwich is fantastic as is, kicking it up a notch makes it out of this world. With the addition of olive oil, white wine vinegar, Dijon mustard, salt, ground pepper, English cucumber, red onion, olive tapenade, fresh basil leaves and hard cooked eggs to a couple cans of tuna, its a great recipe and it’s flavor improves when made ahead. This delicious bite serves 4. Full recipe here
Mozzerella and Prosciutto Sandwich ~ by Bon Appetit
We are stepping a bit outside the pantry on this one and looking for full, distinct flavors that dance in the mouth. The shopping list; chopped anchovy fillet, capers, garlic, lemon peel, orange peel, Niçoise olives, olive oil, fresh basil, lemon juice, baguettes, prosciutto and balls of fresh mozzarella cheese. The first five ingredients create a paste and can be prepared and chilled two weeks in advance. Full recipe here
Grab your favorite bottle of wine and head outdoors.