Perfect picnic ideas?

[momz]

We are going to symphony on the prairie tomorrow evening. 5 adults with no allergies.

What are some ideas to take for a picnic? We will have a wagon to haul it from the car.

 

[barkley]

i like a nice cold tortellini pasta salad. i'm also fond of chicken salad made w/craisins, celery and chopped pecans. fresh fruit already cut up (melons, pineapple, berries) are refreshing.

all of these i would ideally want in a cooler w/ice packs.

 

[theluckyrabbit]

Anything that can be eaten cold, with fingers, minimal/no mess! We like mason jar salads (greens, pasta, or fruit), grapes and cheese, prosciutto wrapped dates, simple sandwiches, loaf cake or cookies (fresh baked, if possible!) for dessert. Fried chicken is fun, too, if it tastes good cold (or, at least, not hot) and doesn't make too much of a mess.

 

[RangerPooh]

It depends on whether you want a full meal or snacks. Wine, cheese, and meat, coupled with fruit works for lighter fair. A cold pasta or fruit salad. What about coursaunt (sp?) or pinwheel sandwiches?

 

[amberpi]

I like canned artichokes, cheese, fresh tomatoes, crackers, some meats, etc. a bottle of wine?

 

[MIGrandma]

We love a good charcuterie board with meats, cheeses, accompaniments like sweet pickles, fig jam, etc. A loaf of crusty bread, whitefish dip, fresh cut fruit, and wine/coolers.

Or, an assortment of cold salads (potato, pasta, Greek,etc.), crusty bread and Italian dipping oil, fruit, cheesecake or brownies. Cold jug of tea.

 

[disykat]

My answers are different if I'm cooking or just buying easy stuff. I have a standard if I'm just buying. Deli chicken and potato salad, bagged salad, grapes, chips, cookies, and lemonade. I can throw that together with five minutes to grab a cooler, a bowl, some utensils, and some paper goods. If I'm fixing stuff, chicken salad with an assortment of fresh fruit and veggies is my favorite, along with a fancier dessert like cheesecake or flourless chocolate cake. Homemade sangria is fun if alcohol is allowed. We prefer simple food.

 

[NYCgrrl]

Used to live across the street from one of the sites of NYC's version of the event you're going to; always fun.

I find the easiest picnic meal to make when time is short is an antipasti platter pulled together with pantry items and a stop at a deli counter.
A jar of marinated artichoke hearts, a jar of whole roasted red peppers cut into strips (truly fast roasting a few peppers at home plus you can add to the prettiness of the platter by using different colors but if you don't have the cool off time, do the grocery shelf route); Giardiniera salad. Stop at the deli counter and get some Italian dried salami, mortadella, prosciutto or a good quality boiled ham, whatever soft and hard Italian cheeses looks good (imported Provolone, Asiago, Peccorini, or Parmesan; ciliegine or bocconcini are all good possibilities) and whatever olives that appeal most to you. Drain the jarred goods and place on a platter, interspersed with the meats, cheeses and olives. Over-wrap top to bottom and over again so the food doesn't move and place in your storage bag with a few frozen ice packs.

For dessert what with many being at the height of the season a bowl or platter of fresh fruit could suit your parties needs. Watermelon cut in to triangles (easier to eat with the rinds on), whatever berriestaste good at market, same for stone fruit. To drink add a bottle or 2 of cold Prosecco or Chianti, or maybe some rose.

Want to add a more substantial dish to the repast that's fast and easy?

https://www.marthastewart.com/313060/tomato-basil-and-white-bean-salad
or maybe a dish of Tuscan beans with tuna to spread on toasted Italian bread slices.

You can switch to a neighboring country's cuisine and go French with a giant bagnat Nicoise or charcuterie with pate added to grilled and or blanched vegetables with sauce AKA crudities. A radish butter spread onto toasted bread gives a real touch of authenticy and is fast to make as well as being in season. For dessert, again fresh fruit just like the Italians or if you feel mildly ambitious a stone fruit galette. Jacques Pepin offers a recipe that takes minimal ingredients and time in his seminal book( OK, he's one of my cooking idols ), "Fast Food, My Way":

https://www.food.com/recipe/quick-pear-tart-by-jacques-pepin-476484
You are not limited to pears; most any kind of stone fruit or berries will work.

HTH

 

[Lilacs4Me]

Geesh. We just stop at Subway or Jimmy Johns and call it a day.

Our standard beach food would be the same, but the kids always want chips, fresh cherries (a family tradition), bottled water, and some sort of sweet like a packaged pastry, brownie, or cookie added to supplement their sandwich

Maybe one day grown-up me will make a real picnic lol You all have some great ideas!

 

[HeatherC]

We like Shrimp Cocktail.

 

[Disney Doll]

We usually stop at a local Dian’s get sandwiches. Chips. Beverages of choice although I always throw in a few bottles of water. Done fruit and some sort of dessert that doesn’t requires dishes and utensils.

 

[Disneylover99]

Wine from a tetra pack. Maybe not too classy, but not breakable is nice.