Picnics are a great reason to get outdoors and enjoy quality time with those you love most. Once you have the right blanket and the right entertainment, all you need are some classic picnic bites like sandwiches and their perfect partner in deliciousness, potato chips. Have a Picnic with Some Character There’s no better way to spend a sunny, blue-skied day than taking the fun outside for a picnic and playtime. Little ones can run around chasing Frisbees and flying kites while everyone else kicks back on the picnic blanket to lazily watch the world go by. The only way to make outdoor dining and unwinding even better is to make sure you
pack a picnic basket that speaks to everyone’s tastes. Picnic Basket 101 Needless to say, your picnic basket should contain enough to cover however long you plan to be out for the day. So, here are the basics: • Something to sit on: If you don’t have a lined picnic blanket, you can create one by layering a shower curtain liner or vinyl tablecloth under a regular checkered blanket. • Ice packs or a cooler: While you want to avoid taking perishable foods (like mayonnaise) that don’t hold up as well in the heat, you’ll still have some items (like deli meats) that you want to keep chilled, especially if it’s a warm day. To avoid excess baggage, only bring a cooler if you have a group. If you’re on a charming
picnic date, keep your load as light as possible… the strained pack mule look impresses few. • Bottle opener: Nothing is worse than trying to open a bottle of vino by hitting it against a tree and hoping for the best. • Plates and napkins: Unless you have a fancy picnic basket that comes with ceramic dishes, don’t forget the paper or plastic plates and napkins for mess-free eating. • Sunblock and bug spray: Even though you’ll hopefully not have any ant problems, that doesn’t mean that pesky mosquitoes and flies won’t try to crash your picnic. Speaking of flies, some say that basil, white wine, cucumbers, and apple cider vinegar repel them. • Bags for trash: Keep cleanup simple and bring a trash bag along in the basket. • Entertainment: Certainly, snacking is central to a picnic but so is enjoying the day outdoors. Bring kites, Frisbees, balls and gloves, books, magazines, a board game, and a deck of cards to make the most of your leisure time in the sun. Hopefully you’re near a lake, as well. Best Bites to Have at a Picnic Once you have the fundamentals covered, you need to figure out what you’re going to eat. Different picnic strategists will make varying suggestions, but there are a few universally agreed-upon picnic must-haves. • Chopped fruits and vegetables: When you’re out in the sun, juicy, chilled fresh grapes, succulent melon or crispy carrot and celery sticks are unbeatable picnic classics. Elevate your crudité selection with fresh sliced zucchini, snap beans, or sliced bell pepper. Bring your favorite dips, as well. • Bruschetta Salad: Marinated tomato-based salads are terrific for picnics because the vinegar marinade keeps them from spoiling outdoors, and they hold their crunch well even when prepared in advance. • Sandwich fixings: Bring sliced deli meat, sliced cheddar, Swiss or provolone, and bread. Wrap that bread in wax paper; otherwise, the heat will cause bread in a sealed bag to become soggy and to spoil. Finish off the ‘wich with pre-sliced sandwich toppers like lettuce, onions, and tomatoes, and a selection of your favorite mini condiments and spreads (pesto, deli mustard, horseradish cream, etc.). Make a classic sandwich the star of your day.
Assemble your sandwich with an even spread of condiments over the bread. • Potato Chips:
Nothing pairs better with a stacked sandwich than a hearty helping of potato chips. o Potato chips are a wise picnic snack to bring along because they’re clean to eat, they’re delicious with everything (even that wine and gourmet cheese you brought for your picnic date), and everyone loves them. o You want to have a
variety of chips. Go with golden original, a known fan favorite such as BBQ, and then add a wild card or two like jalapeno or salt & vinegar. o Keep in mind it doesn’t matter if you go with regular, ridges, or kettle cooked – just make sure you have your favorite chips. One more way to make your chips even better is to put them on your sandwich. Yes, on. Sure, you’ve got your greens, onions, and tomatoes, but chips add a level of crunch that takes any sandwich to a new level. Plus, the chip’s flavor will elevate your sandwich’s overall taste (think sour cream and onion chips in a roast beef sandwich, or cracked pepper chips on a ham and Swiss, and you get the idea). Grab your family or your main squeeze, pack a picnic basket with the essentials and all of your favorite chip flavors and head outdoors to savor life (and a delicious meal).
