From the hunting feasts of medieval times to today's cookout in the park, picnics have long been associated with relaxation, recreation and sociability.
For the past 100 years or so, traditional American picnic menus have followed the same basic framework: cold beverages, meats, salads and the occasional dessert, all planned and packed with a mind toward what is appetizing and easy to eat.
But mention a picnic menu of fried chicken, potato salad and deviled eggs to a food expert, and he may cringe. These dishes may be delicious, but they are not necessarily well-suited to long car trips or hours out in the hot sun. Just ask culinary arts professor Tom Recinella of the State University College of Technology at Delhi, who calls these picnic favorites "potentially hazardous foods (that) should really be iced in a cooler at all times."
It may sound like overkill to put your potato salad on ice right from the get-go. Surely it can sit out for a few minutes, right? Wrong, Recinella says.
"If a licensed catering company were catering an outdoor function for someone, and the Health Department dropped in for an inspection, they would not consider it OK if the foods listed above were not iced properly. They would not care if it had only been 15 minutes or 30 minutes _ it would be a critical health violation," Recinella explained. "So for the average person to consider it OK is not the best thing to do. Better safe than sorry."
If proper storage for foods containing meat or eggs seems like too much trouble, there are plenty of alternatives to these picnic staples. Potato salad made with vinaigrette can be just as delicious as the traditional variety that uses mayonnaise. Daphne Randall of The Edible Tulip, a food blog, suggests using fresh herbs, garlic and an apple cider-olive oil vinaigrette to craft a savory, flavor-filled potato salad.
"I simply boil 3 pounds of small red skinned potatoes until they break apart when pierced with a fork," Randall wrote in a May 1 post titled "The Health Benefits of Apple Cider Vinegar and a Vinaigrette for Potato Salad."
"I drain them, place them in a large ceramic platter, and coat with the dressing while they are still warm/hot. The ACV seems like a high ratio with the olive oil (i.e. half to half), but because it gets soaked into the potatoes, it seems less vinegary and instead adds a welcome punch. I chop up some red onion and toss that in too. The fresh herbs carry the rest of it."
Randall also suggests adding curry powder, coarse mustard and maple syrup to this basic vinaigrette for what she calls a "strange yet comforting" flavor.
A good make-ahead salad deserves a good make-ahead sandwich, and the muffuletta, a specialty of New Orleans, is the perfect fit. This massive sandwich bursts with flavors that connoisseurs swear are improved by a few days' rest in the fridge. Recipes for this delicacy abound online; the combination and variety of cheese and cold cuts varies depending on taste, but the heart of the muffuletta is in the olive spread.
This tangy, savory blend of fresh and cured vegetables adds an unforgettable piquancy to the sandwich that has become synonymous with the Big Easy. Olives, carrots, celery, garlic and pickled vegetables are chopped fine, seasoned and marinated in olive oil to form the spread that makes a muffuletta a muffuletta. Check out www.gumbopages.com for a history of the sandwich and a detailed recipe said to be derived from New Orleans' famous Central Market, home of the original muffuletta.
To complete this multicultural menu, try putting together an Asian slaw instead of traditional cole slaw. Shredded purple and Napa cabbage can be combined with matchstick carrots, fresh cilantro, finely chopped peanuts and a rice wine vinegar-sesame oil vinaigrette for a refreshing and flavorful side dish.
Another Asian-influenced flavor _ summer rolls _ can make a mouth-watering main dish or a spectacular side. The May-June issue of Hannaford's in-store magazine, Fresh, emphasizes international cuisine and includes a recipe for Vietnamese summer rolls. Made with thin rice-paper wrappers instead of heavy, deep-fried dough, these treats pair shrimp or marinated tofu with rice noodles, lettuce and cucumber. A trio of basil, cilantro and herbs gives summer rolls their intriguing, fresh flavor. They call for some unusual ingredients, but they're a breeze to put together, and will be a hit at any picnic get-together.
Stuffed grape leaves, or dolmathes, are another bite-sized treat that is filled with complex flavor. This Greek specialty combines rice and ground meat (lamb or beef) with onion, pepper, lemon juice and fresh herbs such as mint and dill. The filling is wrapped up in grape leaves and cooked for about an hour.
These savory morsels can be served warm or at room temperature. If meat filling is used, be sure to properly chill these flavorful gems; if not, the dolmathes can safely stay at room temperature for a few hours. The brined grape leaves, piquant lemon juice and hearty rice-and-meat mixture combine for an unusual flavor; some may consider it an acquired taste, but don't be surprised if these treats disappear quickly from the picnic spread.
Most picnics are thirst-inducing affairs, and a special beverage can add just the right touch to an al fresco meal. Flavored sparkling water is a healthier alternative to sugary/caffeinated soda; mix it with fresh fruit juice for a drink with cocktail-like panache. Adding mint to lemonade gives it an extra-refreshing kick, or make your own lemonade or limeade.
Picnics don't always have to involve hours of preparation, however; it can be just as satisfying to grab a few snacks and light out for the nearest park, lake or woods. A trip to the supermarket can yield enough for a sophisticated and tasty feast. A loaf of crusty bread, a soft spreadable cheese, finger-food veggies from the salad bar or produce section, a sweet treat from the bakery, a favorite beverage, and voila _ you've got a picnic menu.
Whether you craft a feast fit for a king, or simply grab a few favorite snacks, a picnic can be a wonderful way to take time out of life's frantic pace and enjoy the pleasures of nature. Proper food storage and preparation will eliminate any worries about food spoilage, and leave you free to enjoy sunshine, fresh air and the company of friends and family.
Just watch out for ants!
