The Perfect Picnic

                                                             "recipes 4 us"


Hello my fellow bloggers and happy Monday!!!!! I hope you all have been enjoying the month of June and taking advantage of the beautiful summer weather.  One of my favorite things about the summer are picnics.  There is nothing I enjoy more than sitting on soft green grass in the warmth of the sumer sun with family or friends enjoying simple fresh food.  This Friday actually celebrates the idea of summer picnics - its "International Picnic" - now i just learned this interesting fact while perusing the internet - interesting right??? - that they would have an entire day dedicated to picnics!!!!

The word "picnic" as defined by the encyclopedia  - " a pleasurable excursion in which a meal is eaten outdoors (al fresco) usually in a beautiful place (park, beach, lakefront) usually during the summer months."  Typically a picnic basket is brought and filled with simple, fresh foods and are enjoyed while sitting on a large blanket or picnic table.  

What to bring on a picnic ???? Here's a quick checklist:

1.  a picnic basket of course!!!!!  There are so many cute baskets out there specifically designed to bring - i highly recommend buying one - i recently saw one one a website called Uncommon Goods - here's a picture - 

It has adorable spoons made out of wood and includes dishes, glasses and a cutting board!!

2. a nice big comfortable blanket or go to your l

ocal fabric store and find an interesting pattern and buy a piece of it

3. a camera

4. sunscreen and sunglasses

5. a good book or magazines

6. a radio 

7. good food of course!!!

Mark Bittman - food critic and writer for the New York Times did a great article entitled 101 - 20 minute recipes to bring on a picnic.  Can you believe it???  101 different recipes and ideas.  The list is extensive and has some great vegetarian options.  I think i have mentioned in the past that I recently purchased Mark's book entitled "How to Cook Everything Vegetarian" - and how much i enjoy it.  What i particularly like about the book is that it breaks down each food and tells you a little history about it and then different options for cooking.  

What would your ideal picnic basket contain?????  Mine would have:

1. Creamy chickpea hummus with freshly baked whole wheat pita bread

2.  garden fresh tomatoes topped with basil and oregano

3.  grilled asparagus, eggplant, zucchini and roasted red peppers

4. wheatberry salad with raisins, dried cranberries and fresh mint

5. summer fruit salad made with strawberries, blackberries, blueberries, peaches and watermelon with a touch of lemon and garnished with mint leaves

6. strawberry brewed ice tea sweetened with a dash of agave

Well i hope this post inspired you all to maybe think about planning a picnic for next weekend.  What are some of your favorite places to have a picnic and what do you bring ???? Would love to hear all of your suggestions!!!!   

                                           Thanks for reading - have a great week!!!!

                                                               xoxo aimee