The Ultimate Packable Picnic
Practically any food eaten outdoors in the company of another could qualify as a picnic — "A jug of wine, a loaf of bread and Thou" being among the simplest and best menus still in use more than a thousand years after a poet first suggested it. But once the guest list numbers above three, a few more dishes are in order and a little strategizing pays off. To help plan your next outing, we've assembled a list of totable foods that are easy to eat sprawled out in the sun, plus some handy gear for serving it.
Picnic Menu Checklist
A Refreshing Drink: Fill a thermos or water bottles with a serious thirst quencher.
Some to try:
Andrew Purcell
Juicy Fruit: Stick with what's easy to prep in advance — frozen grapes, cantaloupe wedges, pineapple cubes — so you're not stuck peeling oranges with sandy hands.
Some to try:
A Finger-Friendly Main Course: Keep utensils at a minimum and serve a classic like fried chicken or prewrapped sandwiches that can be enjoyed in a canoe or perched on a park bench.
Some to try:
Vegetables and Dip: Cut-up carrots, celery and cukes make handy scoopers for a variety of spreads — store-bought or homemade.
Some to try:
Andrew Purcell
Dessert: A sweet treat at the end of a meal is a picnic necessity — and you can't always depend on the ice cream truck to arrive in time.
Some to try:
Jonathan Kantor
Something Snacky: Afternoon munchies (or a long car ride home) shouldn't bring down an otherwise perfect day.
Some to try:
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