Eating Out Loud » Weekend Picnic Ideas

Picnic Precautions & Food Safety

Allen — Thu, 16 Jul 2009 09:20:44 +0000

Picnicking can be a relaxing and fun activity, assuming you’re safe and courteous. If you’re new to picnicking or need a refresher course, make sure to read How to Plan a Picnic for ideas on food and locations. Before you pack everything up, make sure to review these general guidelines to ensure everyone has a great time!

Be Prepared

Water: pack extra water, just in case it’s hotter than expected or end up being out hiking longer than planned
Cleaning Supplies: bring along paper towel or napkins to wipe those sticky fingers or to clean up that drop of mustard on your shirt
Trash Bags: pack a trash bag to carry away any garbage
Antibacterial Gel or Disinfectant Wipes: you may not find running water where you’re headed so be prepared to stay germ free
Sunscreen: picnicking = sunny weather = sunburn = skin cancer. You do the math.

Be Law Abiding

Check the food/cooking policies of your destination. Some sites may not allow picnicking or grilling equipment
Do not stray from the designated picnic areas
Do not feed the animals, no matter how cute and cuddly they seem!
Do not litter! When you leave, there shouldn’t be any sign that you were there

Be Safe

Food Temperatures – remember to keep hot food hot and cold food cold. It sounds simple enough but food poisoning runs rampant during picnic season. Fill your cooler with plenty of ice (tip: freeze water in used milk cartons or disposable storage containers).
Cleanliness – keep any cooking utensils clean and do not cross-contaminate raw meat and raw foods.
Fire Danger – if grilling or having a camp fire, be aware of current wildfire danger levels. Be prepared to fully extinguish your fire before you leave

Although many of these guidelines are common sense, it’s always a good idea to make sure you’ve planned a safe picnic. It only takes a few minutes and can save you from sunburn, sickness or other harm.

Happy picnicking!

For further reading:
USDA Food Safety Factsheets
Weekend Picnic Ideas

Picnic Idea #2: Date-Cashew Sandwiches

Allen — Wed, 17 Jun 2009 08:59:59 +0000

If you haven’t noticed yet, I am ‘pro-picnic’. I’m not sure if it’s because I love sandwiches and due to fond memories of childhood brown bag lunches, but I find it relaxing to head outdoors and plop down with delicious food.

Today’s picnic idea is one which I’ve played around with in the past. It features a vegetarian-friendly dried fruit and nut sandwich – chewy sweet dates, crunchy cashews and just a hint of citrus to brighten the flavors. I find the thick, chunky texture extremely satisfying and the flavor is downright delicious.

If you’re not a fan of dates, feel free to create your own mix – maybe apricots, pistachios and a drizzle of honey. You could also spice this up with a pinch of cinnamon, nutmeg or cardamom.

Date-Cashew Sandwiches
1 cup pitted dates, coarsely chopped
1 teaspoon fresh orange zest
1 tablespoon fresh orange juice
1/3 cup unsalted cashews, coarsely chopped

In a small bowl, combine dates, zest and orange juice. Stir to combine. Place half of the date mixture into a food processor or blender. Pulse until finely minced and the consistency of a thick paste.

Add the minced dates to the remaining coarsely chopped dates. Add cashews and stir until combined. Spread mixture on slices of whole grain bread.

Since the sandwiches are sweet, I decided to balance the flavor with a slightly acidic cucumber salad.

Cucumber Salad
previously posted, the cucumber salad recipe

Finish off the picnic with the complete opposite of sweet … bitter. Select a good quality dark chocolate bar (this one is more than 70% cocoa), then dip pieces of it into a flavored sugar mix.

Dark Chocolate Dippers
1 dark chocolate bar (>70% cocoa)
1/4 cup granulated sugar
1 teaspoon fresh orange zest

I like the simplicity of dipping a slightly bitter piece of chocolate into a bowl of orange scented sugar. You could also flavor the sugar with a vanilla bean pod.

To make the sugar stick, just give it a lick, then dip. If sharing with a larger crowd the dip-lick method might be unappealing, so consider providing individual baggies of sugar for each person.

Since this picnic features dried fruit, nuts, pickled cucumbers and chocolate, it packs easily and travels well. It’s perfect for a long road trip or long hike.

Where did I picnic?
I took my picnic to the top of a local ski hill (Grouse Mountain) which provided many ideal picnic locations and scenic views. Ski hills are often open during the summer for hiking, biking and other outdoor recreational activities. Access may be free or possibly a small fee, but it’s worth it — no snow, no long lift lines, and lots of amazing views.

More picnic ideas:
How to Plan a Picnic
Picnic idea #1: Tuna Sandwiches & Spiced Eggs

How to Plan a Picnic

Allen — Thu, 11 Jun 2009 07:08:58 +0000

Picnics are a relaxing way to spend a weekend afternoon and are a perfect way to reconnect with friends and family. I enjoy packing simple and delicious picnics full of flavor. Throughout the summer, I will continue my picnic series which will highlight easy to make picnic meals.

Whether it’s your first time picnicking or you need a refresher, here my quick tips for planning a picnic:

Why picnic?

It’s relaxing – you never know just how much you miss the quiet outdoors until you actually sit down on a sunny patch of grass with a bag full of food.
It’s affordable – during economic downturns, picnics are a prime ’staycation’, an affordable way to site-see and spend time with family.
It’s easy to do – no need to buy tickets or pack suitcases, just grab some food and head out to a local park or even a distant corner of your own back yard.

Where to picnic?

Back Yard – you don’t need to go very far when packing a picnic, a shady area of your back yard can be just as fun. If not your back yard, maybe a friend or neighbor has a beautiful yard, field or forest to explore (but make sure to ask first!).
Neighborhood Parks – stroll down to your local neighborhood park and find a secluded, quiet corner to spread a blanket. It may be a little busier and noisier but is still enjoyable.
State or National Parks – although it may require a short drive, you’ll find larger parks and beautiful sights. Some parks may charge an entrance fee and have rules on food and beverages. Make sure to check before making the drive.
University Campuses or Municipal Buildings – wonderfully landscaped and often free to access, you’ll have fun people watching at the same time.
Cemeteries – oh, don’t be afraid. A friend suggested this to me once, the lush green landscaping makes for a special way to spend time with family passed.
Ski Hills – no snow or long lift lines make ski hills a wonderful summer option. Many ski hills are open for hiking and biking, providing many ideal picnic opportunities and scenic views.
Boats & Ferries – grass isn’t mandatory. Whether you need to rent a small boat or pay a ferry fare, getting out on the open water is a great way to spend an afternoon with a packed lunch.

What to pack?

Food and Beverages – the single most important thing to pack, but don’t make it complicated or too fussy. Sandwiches, boiled eggs and salads are favorites of mine.
Blanket, Tablecloth or Folding Chairs – while I don’t suggest hauling lots of furniture, a simple blanket or even folding chairs will work perfectly. Although the grass is always greener on the other side, sometimes it’s wet or covered in animal poo.
Napkins and Utensils – make sure to bring the appropriate accessories for the food you’ll be eating.
Bug Repellent and Sunscreen – these are must-haves if planning to be in the sun or in areas where you’ll find lots of flying critters.
Reading Material or Activities - I find it relaxing to read when picnicking and bring along all those magazines I never get around to reading. Bring along a book or even games if there are kids joining you.

Who to invite?

Fly Solo – some days, you just need to be alone. There’s no shame is getting the ‘me’ time you deserve. Feel free to pack your bag and head out on your own!
Romantic Interludes – there’s something romantic about taking a loved one out on a picnic. Surprise the special person if you life with a picnic made for two.
Bring the Gang – pack up the SUV with the kids and dogs, making a family adventure out of it. Allow the kids to participate in planning the location and food as well. Make sure to bring along activities the kids will enjoy.
Group Outings – plan a family reunion or invite all of your friends. With more people, you may find it useful to share the planning activities or to assign specific foods for the picnic potluck.

Sample Picnic Menus:
Stayed tuned to follow my picnic adventures in the coming weeks, with picnic menus and recipes being shared below:

Idea #1 – Local Park: Tuna Salad & Spiced Eggs
Idea #2 – Ski Hill: Date-Cashew Sandwiches & Chocolate Dippers
More ideas coming soon!

Picnic Idea #1: Tuna Sandwiches & Spiced Eggs

Allen — Thu, 04 Jun 2009 23:39:36 +0000

The weather is immaculate here, bold sunny days with gentle breezes, so we took the opportunity to explore several local parks. If you follow me on Twitter, you might have read about my fear of bears while out hiking around last weekend. Although Joe thinks I’m irrational, I can’t help but reiterate that the sign is there for a reason.

I nervously walked through the silent forest, it was anything but relaxing. I took comfort in seeing other hikers who didn’t appear to have been mauled. Happy with surviving our brief trek, we headed over to Stanley Park for a gorgeous view of the city, the only apparent threat being the hoards of tourists.

My goal for the weekend was to picnic and I wasn’t about to do it in bear country. Stanley Park offered a safer locale for opening containers of fragrant tuna and boiled eggs. Admittedly, sitting in the sun and nibbling on food is one of my favorite things to do, and if it didn’t sound so lazy I would list it as one of my favorite hobbies.

I enjoy planning and prepping for picnics. I like to pack a variety of foods that are both nourishing and refreshing. After a quick trip to the market, I decided to make a mayo-less tuna sandwich on crusty baguette, along with spiced hard boiled eggs, pomegranate seeds, and flax corn chips. Crispy, crunchy, chewy, soft and juicy. All of my favorite textures.

Tuna Salad
2 cans tuna (in water), drained
1/2 cup diced celery
1/3 cup diced red onion
1/4 cup chopped kalamata olives
zest of 1 lemon
3-4 tablespoons olive oil
1 tablespoon balsamic vinegar
dash of pepper

Toss ingredients, adding enough oil to lightly coat. Feel feel to add or subtract ingredients based on preference. Fill a sliced baguette, or any sturdy bread, with the tuna salad. Place on waxed paper and tightly roll, twisting the ends of the paper at each end. These will hold nicely throughout the day without becoming soggy.

Spiced Eggs
4 boiled eggs, peeled
dash Chinese 5 spice
dash red chili pepper
dash salt

I love boiled eggs at picnics, especially when they’re deviled but only if we’re packing them on ice. There’s something about warmed mayo which makes me quiver. I opted to keep it simple and sprinkled the eggs with a few spices, so there would be no need to pack salt or other seasonings.

You might also try rolling the peeled eggs in finely chopped dill or other fresh herbs, along with a bit of salt. Delicious, flavorful and quick to make. A good burst of protein when taking longer hikes. For my egg ideas, see my short article on “10 Unique Uses for Hard Boiled Eggs“.

Fresh Fruit
Since picnics seem to always involve some amount of hot weather and hiking, I like to pack a juicy fruit. For our picnic, I chose pomegranate seeds but watermelon, pears, or peaches would have been good as well.

Drinks
Recently, I received two free product samples for juice which we hadn’t yet tried. I packed each one in a chilled thermos for taste testing.

POM – The juice promotes itself on the antioxidant content and associated health benefits. In addition to cardiovascular improvement, I was surprised to see additional benefits associated with prostate health and erectile functioning with actual clinical information to back up its statements. And, given the cardiovascular issues in my family, I am excited to see POM now offers POMx, a pomegranate supplement pill.

But, how does it taste? It’s tangy and flavorful, reminding me a more pleasant form of cranberry juice. Since we also packed fresh pomegranate seeds in our picnic, we felt fully fortified for a day in the sun. It was during my first month of blogging two years ago that I recorded my first pomegranate experience, and as you’ll read, I was not impressed. In retrospect, a little knowledge on how to use fresh pomegranate would have helped. I’ve come a long way since then and now enjoy them quite a bit.

V8 V-Fusion – Since moving to Vancouver, Joe started to buy a brand of juice which is a mix of fruits and vegetables. I normally don’t spend the money on such items but since he’s the one least likely to eat enough vegetables, I’ve encouraged his new found sense of health consciousness. I jumped a the chance to try this product as it provides a full serving of fruits and vegetables in each 8 ounce glass. Additionally, it includes an antioxidant combination of vitamins A, C and E.

What happens when you mix fruit and veggies in a glass? It’s delicious! We sampled the Goji Raspberry flavor and it was truly fruity, no undertones of the sweet potato or carrots it includes. While I don’t advocate replacing all of your fresh veggies with bottled juice, I view it as a tasty supplement. And, I like that it’s low in sodium with only 110 calories per serving.

So, how did our picnic turn out?
We were on the brink of starvation when we reached Stanley Park and immediately found a shaded spot to unpack our lunch. The sandwiches were delicious – I love the added zip you get from the salty olives and tangy lemon zest. A cricket game started up next to our picnic table, so we also had entertainment … until the balls started to land too close for comfort.

Next, we headed down near the seawall on a sunny patch of grass, watching tourists react to the beautiful city view. I read a book for awhile and then fell asleep, the sun softening my muscles as I napped. I woke myself when I started to snore. It turned out to be utterly relaxing, just as I had hoped. And, there were no bears.