What could be a better to way to spend your weekends, if not by
gathering your friends and family and going out for a day of games, good food
and good company? With a history dating back to the 17th century, picnics have
long been a pastime for adults and kids alike. In the next couple of pages, I&P
Living takes a look at some lovely ideas
for picnic foods, themes and locations that will have you out with your basket
in hand and kids in tow before we can say croissant.
From Paris with Love
Picnics are a pleasure excursion
at which a meal is eaten outdoors (al fresco) usually taking place in a
beautiful landscape such as a park, beside a lake, at the beach or any setting
with an interesting view. The term, pique-nique which first appeared in France
in 1692, was used to describe a group of people dining in a restaurant who
brought their own wine. For long a picnic retained the implication of a meal to
which everyone contributed something. It became especially popular amongst
newly enfranchised citizens after the French Revolution is 1789, when royal parks
became open to the public for the first time, sparking the tradition of
picnicking in parks.
Location! Location! Location!
Picking your picnic spot is
almost certainly the most fundamental element of the planning, from beach-side
barbecues to lakeside feasts, locale is the most important variable of any
picnic experience. It is imperative to remember, not all picnic spots aren’t
created equal and choosing the perfect one can make or break the picnic
experience altogether. When deciding on a picnic spot, it is paramount to look
into these areas to help pick the most ideal location. First, who will be
attending? Just adults, or will there be children as well? Taking children
along is where the tricky bit comes in; you must ensure the necessary bathroom facilities
are easily available. If you are looking at something close by a body of water
(i.e. lake, stream, beach), ensure that you have enough hands and eyes on board
to keep an eye on the children. Secondly, are you looking for something a bit
more outward bound or something located in a central position, like a city
park? Remember, choosing a remote, far-off spot may sound like a good idea but
you don’t want your attendees spending half the day looking for the spot.
Nothing irks certain picnickers than having to share their spot with someone
else. Do a little background checking to gauge how popular the site is and when
peak period is to avoid disappointment and frustration. If all else fails, your
very own backyard will provide you with the facilities and privacy everyone
desires. Plus, you can even save cleaning up for later!
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| Remote areas are ideal for picnics |
Planning the Menu
It
definitely goes without saying that if there isn’t any food, you don’t really
have a picnic anymore. Although the food is considered the backbone of the
picnic, try not to lose your hair over it. The best idea is to keep it as
simple as possible. No one goes to a picnic expecting to dive into a
medium-rare steak or even to chuck all cutleries aside for some rice and
chicken curry. Some easy picnic foods include finger sandwiches with tuna, egg
or cucumber fillings. Next, it doesn't get much simpler than crackers and
cheese at a picnic. Whether you're into spray-on cheddar or craving a
peppercorn spread, a nice portion of crackers and cheese is always solid picnic
fare. Cole slaw is a classic side dish of the picnic and is also a lip-smacking
dish containing vegetarian-friendly ingredients like carrots, cabbage, green
onions and herbs. Though it's conventionally made with mayonnaise, there are
other choices to spice things up, such as herb dressing and tofu mayonnaise. If
you are planning on having a barbecue at the picnic, keep the options simple to
cook and easy to eat, for example sausages, burgers or chicken wings. Nobody
really wants to sit in with a knife and fork to devour that lamb chop however
amazing your marinade is. Whatever you do, do not forget dessert! Go in the
direction of cakes and tarts and a fruit platter to keep everything well
balanced of your fun day out.
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| Vegetarian-friendly skewers |
Spice It Up!
Although the idea of a picnic in
itself adds excitement to the meal and will always bear promise of a wonderful
time but if you are looking for a truly different experience there are a number
of unique ways to take your picnic to the next level. Themed picnics and picnic
games are the perfect way to do it. If you would rather not go all out with an
elaborate theme, a Colour Themed Picnic is the way to go. Just assign an agreed
upon colour for everyone to wear (don’t forget the blankets too!) be it all
red, white, black etc. That way even if you lose someone, it will make it so
much easier to spot him or her. Another great idea is to organize a Fun n’
Games Picnic, which is ultimately all about picnic games. Some good suggestions
are: frisbees, bubbles, kites, remote control airplanes, footballs, beach
balls, volleyball sets, etc. Kids will love this one! Moving along, who says an
all-girls outing has to revolve around shopping or sipping cocktails in
nightclub? Plan a Girls-Only Picnic with sparkling cider, plenty conversation
and girlie foods like finger sandwiches and chocolate-covered strawberries. Add
a little more fun to it and make sure everyone wears a pretty summer dress for
an all-inclusive experience. Other themes like Parisian Picnic, Italian Picnic
and Spanish Picnic would be ideal for an all-adult picnic, each theme with its
array of local delicacies and beverages.
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| Everything you need for an All-Girls Picnic –
Sparkling Juice, fruits and a shaded patch of grass to catch up with the girlfriends. |
Some useful tips in packing your picnic –
avoid squishing; remember to always start with heavier foods and items at the
bottom, followed by the lighter one on top. Keep it cool – freeze juice boxes
the night before, that way by the time you get to your picnic it you’ll have
yummy slushies for everyone. Avoid sticky, messy food like sticky cakes,
caramel apples and so on. They can be a real nuisance to transport and before
you know it, the bugs will be having a glorious picnic instead!
Written for AMG International, contract publishers for I&P Living Vol. 2
