Siegel Helene - The totally picnic cookbook

And we felt revitalized on the drive back. I dont remember what we ate or said, but I do remember the unpacking. This thoughtful neighbor, who just happened to be British, packed us a wicker hamper with wineglasses and a good bottle of wine, a cloth napkin stuffed in its already opened top. We had little bits of this and that to eateverything was carefully packed and there was neither too little nor too much. The basket was full of surprises. Afterward, we felt satisfied and ready to start anew, thanks in no small part to that picnic basket.

Luckily, memorable picnics are not really about expensive picnic baskets, or neighbors thoughtful enough to pack them for you, though both are nice extras. Rather, they are about taking the time to pack something homemade into the ice chest or tote bag the next time your group heads out for the day. You will be amazed at how special it feels to find something surprising, like a sandwich of portobello mushrooms or grilled swordfish or any homemade dessert, in place of the usual packaged goods. These menus, then, are meant to spur ideas for future picnics, not to make anyone feel overwhelmed. Feel free to mix and match the recipes as you wish, or combine one or two homemade items with your favorite take-out dishes. THINGS TO PLAN TO REMEMBER portable salt and pepper shakers corkscrew and can opener lemon or lime wedges for seasoning paper towels napkins serving spoons and knives plastic trash bags for cleaning up INSTANT PICNIC FOODS pt and hard sausages, such as salami cheese and crackers good bread fruit, especially berries and grapes olives focaccia boiled shrimp with cocktail sauce hard-boiled or deviled eggs sushi to go Chinese barbecued duck chopped into bite-size pieces cookies and brownies dolmades from the deli cracked crab PACKING TIPS Pack chilled and unchilled foods separatelysoggy cookies or chips are depressing. THINGS TO PLAN TO REMEMBER portable salt and pepper shakers corkscrew and can opener lemon or lime wedges for seasoning paper towels napkins serving spoons and knives plastic trash bags for cleaning up INSTANT PICNIC FOODS pt and hard sausages, such as salami cheese and crackers good bread fruit, especially berries and grapes olives focaccia boiled shrimp with cocktail sauce hard-boiled or deviled eggs sushi to go Chinese barbecued duck chopped into bite-size pieces cookies and brownies dolmades from the deli cracked crab PACKING TIPS Pack chilled and unchilled foods separatelysoggy cookies or chips are depressing.

Double-wrap foods going into an ice chest. Zipper lock bags are indispensablefirst wrap sandwiches in foil and then place in sealed bags for maximum dryness. Permanent frozen blocks are great for ice chests, as they dont make a mess as they melt. If using ice cubes, seal in zipper lock bags to prevent leakage. Wrap wineglasses and other breakables in cloth napkins.

What to do? Here is a casual meal that can be prepared entirely at home, if you wish, and then transported to the picturesque site of your choice. If an outdoor grill is available, consider bringing the hens in their marinade in zipper lock bags and grilling on the spot. The aroma is sure to build appetites. Dont forget: forks beer soft drinks fresh berries or brownies () for dessert sparklers bug spray

Arrange in a single layer in glass or ceramic roasting pan and pour on marinade. Cover and marinate at room temperature 4 hours or in the refrigerator overnight. Preheat the grill or broiler. Remove from marinade and grill, skin-side down first, about 20 minutes total. To avoid burning, turn hens frequently, until skin is lightly charred. Wrap in foil to carry.

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