Rising to the Occasion:
Tips for Seasoning Your Meals with Soul
with Karen Mitchell-Wilcher

Picnics with Panache

Celebrate summer with a blow-out picnic. According to Webster’s dictionary, a picnic is a pleasure outing at which a meal is eaten. Now that can cover a lot of territory . . .from little league hot dogs to alfresco dining.

In planning an extraordinary picnic start with a theme--a traditional holiday, special occasion or a theme that is linked to a local activity. For example if your community hosts outdoor concerts or films during the summer season---focus on “jazz at the park or moonlight and movies.” Bring a blanket or comforter to put down as ground covering. It will have the dual function of staking out your spot and the foundation for your outdoor tabletop. Cover with a tablecloth and breakout contents of your picnic basket. I like to roll up the eating utensils in a napkin and secure them with a raffia bow. This setup lets me know that everyone has the appropriate tools at their disposal. Clear plastic disposable plates work well to deliver durability, festivity and the ultimate in clean up ablity. Check the local party or teachers’store to pick up a few music notes, or star shapes to enhance the atmosphere.

For the menu, I prefer to do a combination of homemade and enhanced pickups. Local grocery stores offer a variety of wonderful take alongs. I make sure to include make ahead dishes so that once at the picnic site i can enjoy the outing with my guests. I still rely on the grill--the rich flavor of grilled foods goes a long way especially when you’re transporting food. Pick up some grilled chicken, ribs, and vegetables; they’re easy to pack and go, and easy to serve. Try adding pizzazz to the condiments. Make a quick sauce by stirring a tablespoon or two of orange marmalade or honey into barbeque sauce or traditional mustard. Give the sauce whimisical names and your guests will think you’ve invited them to a catered picnic.

Don’t forget the cooler--- be sure to pack one that has wheels for easy transporting. Put in a fun summer salad, such as Lemon Basil Shrimp Salad and festive beverages like Raspberry Lemonade to keep them chilled. Add and extra bag of ice for serving drinks. Now add an Old Fashioned Blackberry Cobbler for dessert, good company, and music, and you’re ready to turn an outdoor meal into a picnic with panache.