Picnic Possibilities

July has always been ripe with potential for revolution and liberation. Be it 1776 Philadelphia or the storming of the Bastille in 1789 Paris, it’s time to throw off some chains and march freely. For us that means unlocking all tethers from the kitchen and heading outside to catch a breeze and some sun.

Leave the grill behind and pack a bountiful picnic basket. Keep your cool and forget about serving hot food. We like to take our inspirations from cuisines that are naturals when it comes to dining al fresco.

French Country Picnic

Classic Crudite of Haricots Verts, Endive, Fingerling Potatoes, Radish & Tomatoes
Lemon Aioli, Black Olive Tapenade & Fleur de Sel

Open Faced Tartines (Small French Sandwiches)
Brie and Green Apple with Honey Dijon, Fromage Blanc with Sautéed Greens & Roast Red

Peppers, Pâté de Campagne with Caramelized Onions & Cornichon, Grilled Chicken with

Leeks & Goat Cheese

Pissaladiere – Puff Pastry “Pizza” topped with Caramelized Onion, Anchovies, Herbs and Olives

Fresh & Smoked Salmon Rilettes with Toast Points

Double Crème Brie, Cave Aged Comte & Pots of Whipped Herbed Chevre
Sliced Walnut Bread, Crisps & Baguette Toasts

Strawberries & Grapes
Palmiers and Macarons

To Drink – Raspberry Lemonade, Dry Rosé, Hard Cider, French Chardonnay, Belgian Fruit Brewed Ales

Italian Rustic Picnic

Grilled Asparagus, Fennel, Peppers, Zucchini & Yellow Squash
Extra Virgin Olive Oil and Balsamico

Proscuitto di Parma, Soppresata, Genoa Salami & Bresaola Cured Beef
Piave Vecchio & Parmesan Reggiano Cheeses

Grilled Shrimp and Calamari with White Beans, Lemon, Pepperoncini and Parsley

Heirloom Tomatoes, Cilegini Mozzarella, Olives and Basil

Pizza Bianca Flatbread and Crostini
Fava Bean & Arugula Dip; White Bean Puree with Lemon, Oregano & Roasted Garlic; Fresh

Ricotta, Caramelized Onions & Pink Peppercorns

Ripe Figs and Cherries
Pignoli Cookies & Biscotti

To Drink – San Pelligrino Aranciata and Limonata (Italian Dry Sparkling Fruit Drinks), Prosecco, Pinot Grigio, Pieroni Beer

Pan Asian Picnic

Vietnamese Bahn Mi Sandwiches
Classically Pork, Pate, Pickled Carrots & Daikon, Cilantro, Baguette
But feel free to improvise with grilled chicken, ham, meatballs, etc

Shrimp and Avocado Summer Rolls
Rice Paper, Asian Veggies, Letuce, Mint, Sambal & Ginger

Soy Seared Salmon on Buckwheat Soba Noodle Salad
Shiitake Mushrooms, Ginger, Soy, Scallions, Sprouts & Sesame

Tofu Salad with Sweet Chile Sauce, Peanuts and Thai Basil

Colorful Shrimp Chips
Spicy Peanut Sauce
Teriyaki Eggplant Dip

Pineapple and Kiwi Skewers
Rice Krispie Treats and Chewy Ginger Cookies

To Drink - Iced Ginger and Lemongrass Green Tea, Chilled Gerwertztraminier, Litchi Reisling Cooler, Sapporo Beer

And don’t forget:

Plenty of blankets or tablecloths – Bring enough so that everyone has plenty of room to stretch out.

“Blue Ice Packs” – No one wants to pay a price for the picnic tomorrow. Keep cold foods chilled until you spread the spread; and then repack on the ice when the buffet is closed. Anyone can always dig out some seconds if they get a craving.

Bug Spray – Anyone in your party who is especially attractive to flying critters will be miserable without this.

Sun Screen – It’s easy to burn when you’re distracted playing games

Cork Screw – Though there’s so many great screw top wines available now, you may not need this any more.