Picnic Fun - Tips and Recipes

Sun, Sand & Surf: Beach Picnic Tips

Memorial Day is right around the corner – the weekend traditionally celebrated as the beginning of the summer season.  It heralds a welcome array of warm weather activities to come, from grilling in the backyard to pool parties.  Perhaps nothing is more exciting about summer than the return of long, lazy days spent lounging around on the beach with some music, snacks and refreshing drinks.  Beach picnics are an ideal way to enjoy Memorial Day weekend, relishing in the warm breezes with the toasty sand between your toes.  Here are some beach picnic tips that will keep you cool, comfy and well fed during this season of outdoor fun.

Bring a watertight, easy to carry cooler that will keep everything cold for hours.  Don’t bother trying to lug a heavy, traditional plastic cooler down to the shore – there are better alternatives! Check out the Big Dipper Collapsible Tub Cooler, the Beach Day Backpack Cooler and the Chocolate Kona Radio Cooler (pictured below), which has a built in AM/FM radio with iPod input jack.  Skip the loose ice; freeze plastic water bottles instead.  You’ll have an icy cold drink to enjoy after a few hours, and won’t have to deal with messy melted ice that tends to make food soggy.

Waterproof picnic mats are better than beach blankets to spread out on.  They’re comfy, heavy enough to stay flat on windy days and won’t turn into a sludgy mess when you return from a dip the ocean with wet sandy feet.  The best ones come with their own carriers and fold up super-small so you can keep them in the car until you need them.  Our fave is the Sunshine Blanket Tote, which comes in pretty modern colors and patterns.

Bring a pop-up shade for maximum comfort and protection from the sun.  When it gets too hot, it’s nice to relax under the shade away from the hot direct rays of the sun.  It’s also great for little ones, who need frequent breaks from sun exposure.  The Leaf Shade Pop-Up Sun Shade (pictured top) is cute and super easy to set up.

Pack food and drinks side-by-side in the cooler, not one on top of the other.  That way, you won’t have to pull things out of the cooler when you’re looking for a particular item.  Another great tip is to put ice cubes in ziplock baggies and place them on top – they’ll help keep your food chilled and the ice will remain sand-free for use in drinks.

Check back next week for delicious beach picnic recipes!  We’ll have the best meals & beverages for beach picnics and cookouts, just in time for your Memorial Day celebration planning.

Product Spotlight: Coolers on Wheels!

Now that spring has arrived, you’re undoubtedly giving that cooler of yours a workout – as well as your arms.  The typical cooler isn’t exactly designed for the comfort and convenience of the user.  They’re bulky, leaky and hard to carry.  Getting a huge plastic cooler from the trunk of your car to your beach blanket or campsite can be quite an expedition, and often requires more than one person to accomplish.

That’s where coolers on wheels come in.  Just like the suitcases that are designed to be easily wheeled around for easy transport, coolers on wheels have telescopic handles and rugged, durable wheels designed to go all sorts of places, whether you’re taking it on the softball field to dole out beverages to the team or rolling it down the street to the park.  They’re the perfect solution to carrying cold food and beverages for a large group, and they’re designed in a way that keeps everything at just the right temperature for much longer without the hassle and mess of melting ice.

You can get a great variety of coolers on wheels at PicnicFun.com including bright colorful versions, wine trolleys, collapsible ones and even coolers with built-in radios!  Many of the coolers on wheels available come complete with picnic service for four including plates, cloth napkins and flatware. 

Here are some of our favorite coolers on wheels from PicnicFun.com.

Avalanche Cooler on Wheels – The Avalanche is a rugged workhorse that’s perfect for families.  Whether you use it for BBQs at the park or to smoothly transport a large picnic dinner to a special outdoor destination, this cooler will keep everything cold and get it there in style.  It comes in Navy, Pine Green or Sky Blue and has enough room inside for up to 36 beverage cans.  It also includes complete picnic service for 4 including a few cool accessories like a cheese board and bottle stopper.

Cooladio Cooler Cart – What better cooler could you have for warm weather outdoor fun?  This would be fun to whip out at a tailgate party, on the boat or while fishing.  It’s also ideal for stretching out on the sand at the beach, enjoying music while sipping a cool drink and enjoying some snacks.  It’s got a 60 can capacity and the AM/FM radio includes an audio input jack for your iPod, mp3 player or CD player.  You can also use headphones with it if you want to keep your tunes to yourself.

Adventurer Red Cooler on Wheels for 4 – Sophisticated yet rugged, this cooler on wheels is the perfect accompaniment to a scenic drive, a winery tour or that outdoor concert on the green.  Impress your friends when you easily glide this baby behind you and whip out a soft picnic blanket, a bottle of wine and some seriously pretty striped cloth napkins.  The large insulated food and beverage compartment will fit all the goodies you need for your meal, and the front zipper compartment holds deluxe picnic service for 4.   

Delicious Spring Picnic Meal Ideas & Recipes

Ah, Spring: there’s so much to love about it.  After an entire season of being indoors far too often, all of us outdoor enthusiasts are bubbling with excitement about getting out and about again.  We’re off on scenic drives, leisurely strolls through the park, hikes, rock climbing, camping, canoeing – you name it.  Of course, while we’re at it, we need to eat, and what better to slake our thirst and satisfy our hunger than picnic meals that have been chosen with the season in mind? 

Spring is a time for baby veggies, light dressing, fruit salads and delicate yet flavorful sandwiches.  We’ve come up with a few great spring picnic menus that will have you drooling with anticipation!  Check them out and then get on over to PicnicFun.com for all your spring picnic gear, from coolers to portable outdoor chairs.

Get inspired! Click on the links to view recipes.

Italian Vegetarian Spring Picnic Menu

Spring Panzanella
Gnocchi with Spring Herb Pesto of Baby Arugula and Basil
Dried Cherry and Chocolate Biscotti
Strawberry and Mascarpone Granita (pack in a stainless steel thermos)

Romantic Spring Picnic Menu

Cucumber Tea Sandwich Flowers
Spring Vegetable Rice Salad
Assorted Berry Salad over Pound Cake
May Pole Punch

Kids Spring Picnic Menu

PB & J Blossom Sandwiches
Apple Chicken Salad
Flutter Delight Cupcakes
Berry Ice Cube Lemonade

Top 5 Spots for Spring Family Picnics

Spring is such an ideal time for a picnic, especially for families.  The weather is spectacular, giving us mild temperatures, cool breezes and the warmth of the sun.  Nature is putting on a dazzling display of color, texture and new life – and it’s a wonderful opportunity for a child to explore.  We think that spring family picnics should be about the wonder of the natural world.  Get your family out there to see the birds, butterflies, flowers and everything else this season has to offer.  Here are 5 of our favorite places to take the kids on a memorable family picnic.

1. Botanical Gardens – More than likely, you’ve got one of these near you.  These beautiful natural settings are most often tended by universities or the city, and they’re ripe with learning opportunities.  As you walk along wooded paths you’ll see placards identifying many of the plants, and you might even see some bunnies or other local wildlife going about their business as you walk.  Lay out your picnic blanket on a grassy knoll and play a game of I-Spy.  The botanical gardens might just become one of your favorite natural destinations for family fun, and admission is usually free.
2. National or State Park - Not only do national and state parks offer stunning scenic drives, they’ve got picnic spots galore.  You’ll also often find bike trails, observation areas, learning centers and boardwalks.  You might spot bears, deer, bison or other impressive wildlife depending on where you live.  Give the kids some binoculars and encourage their sense of adventure.  Don’t stay in the car the whole time – most kids find that boring, and they won’t learn nearly as much.
3. Zoo – You know how the zoo smells in the summer?  Well, it’s not nearly as bad in the spring, and you’ll avoid the cranky, sweaty, “I’m hot” complaints that come with summer excursions.  Spring is the time to go! The petting zoo will be far more pleasant for everyone involved.  Bring along a picnic lunch (most zoos allow this, as long as you stick to the picnic tables and don’t, say, offer your sandwiches to the monkeys). 
4. Outdoor Festivals – Contact your local chamber of commerce or keep an eye on your local paper; you’re bound to find plenty of festivals to attend that are kid-friendly.  They cost next to nothing to get into, there’s plenty to entertain you as well as the kids and bringing a lunch will keep the costs down as well (and help you avoid those fried sugar-coated confections).
5. Your Own Backyard – Sounds uneventful, but your backyard can be a totally fun place to have a picnic, especially for younger kids.  They’ll delight in laying out the blanket and drinking out of ‘real’ cups.  Plan an activity like planting vegetable seeds, studying insects or something else geared toward nature to keep them busy.

For family-friendly picnic gear like coolers on wheels, picnic sets for 4 and more, check out PicnicFun.com.

Product Spotlight: Picnic Lunch for 1!

Why brown bag it when you can carry your lunch in style, and keep it cold all day?  Whether you’re sneaking in a quick bite on the job, using your lunch break at work to take advantage of the lovely spring weather or going on a relaxing outing on your day off, a lunch cooler for one person is a stylish and convenient item to have on hand.  Many individual picnic baskets, packs and coolers come with cutlery, cloth napkins and even mini spill-proof salt and pepper shakers.  Here are some of our favorites from PicnicFun.com.

Metro Uno Picnic Basket for 1 – This cute little mini picnic basket will get you lots of compliments when you bring it out to enjoy your meal.  It comes in a variety of bright, cheerful shades including red, lime green and sky blue as well as black.  The waterproof interior and expandable drawstring top make it easy to fit in everything you need for your lunch, and it also has a front pocket containing stainless steel flatware and a pretty printed fabric napkin.

Uno Equinox Picnic Basket for 1 – Take your lunch box style up a notch with the sophisticated Uno Equinox.  It has the same features and contents as the Metro Uno, but in a unique print in shades of blue, green, peach and beige.  It’s not just a lunch cooler, it’s a stylish accessory!

Chelsea Retro Lunch Cooler – The fresh, soft pink and green shades on this chic lunch cooler make it ideal for the spring and summer months, or to bring a little cheer into your day year-round.  Thermal shield insulation will keep your meal ice cold for hours, and the front compartment and side pockets are perfect for storing utensils and napkins.  Contrasting simulated suede makes the Chelsea look more like a hip purse than a lunch box.  (Logo screen print pictured is not included).

Pranzo Picnic Pack for 1 – The simple yet stylish design of this picnic pack makes it a great choice for men or for women who prefer a sportier look.  Available in black, hunter green, red or royal blue, this convenient lunch bag features separate hot and cold food storage sections, utensils, salt & pepper shakers and a cloth napkin.  It has a comfy padded strap and soft grip handle, and is made of nylon so it’s super easy to clean.

Shop more lunch coolers, picnic baskets, packs & family size coolers at PicnicFun.com!

Romantic Spring Picnic Meal Ideas & Recipes

Each season has its unique romantic qualities that make for fun, memorable dates – but spring is especially well suited for couples’ picnics because of the mild weather and beautiful scenery.  As the birds sing and the flowers bloom, it’s a great time to get out and enjoy a meal in the fresh air.  Make sure you’ve got a pretty picnic basket fit for the season and then get inspired with these fresh, delicious romantic spring picnic recipes and meal ideas.  Love is in the air – take advantage of it!

Click on the links within each menu below for recipes.

Romantic Italian Picnic Menu

Panini with your choice of ingredients (here’s a list of ideas!)
Antipasto salad
Grapes
Tiramisu (purchase at the store, or make your own)
Coffee and cream (packed in a coffee and tea set) or wine

Simple Classics

These items can be picked up at the market, packed into your picnic basket or wine and cheese set and enjoyed immediately – no cooking or preparation required!

French baguette
Rotisserie chicken
Block of cheese
Baby carrots with hummus or vegetable dip
Strawberries
Bottle of champagne or wine

Elegant Gourmet Spread

Roast Beef and Avocado Finger Sandwiches 
Red Potato and Green Bean Salad with Dijon Vinaigrette
Fig and Goat Cheese Crostini
Raspberry-Apricot Shortbread   
Basil Lime Spritzer

Wondering what else you should bring along, in addition to food and beverages?  Check out our previous post, ‘What to Pack for a Romantic Date’.

Celebrate Spring with a Garden Party

Welcome the arrival of the season of renewal with a chic, stylish garden party.  Garden parties are a fun way to enjoy the newly blooming flowers and greenery in your backyard, show off your host/hostess skills and savor a delectable meal in the company of your nearest and dearest.  You may not have the party planning talents of Martha Stewart, but you’ll be surprised at how easy it can be to create a menu and décor scheme that looks fresh and pulled together. 

Location - If you don’t have a backyard or feel that yours won’t work, ask a friend or neighbor to co-host the party with you (this will also save you money!) or hold your garden party at a public park, botanical gardens or other inspiring setting that will give you permission. 

Colors - For your color scheme, take a cue from nature.  Various shades of green, blue, yellow and pink can work beautifully and don’t have to be sickly-pastel to work.  Vivid leaf green against a bright cheerful deep reddish-pink or robin’s egg blue evokes spring without looking too ‘Easter egg’.  Bring your chosen color scheme into most of your decorative elements including the table linens and centerpieces. 

Décor - Keep the décor fresh and modern by not going overboard with cutesy accents.  Use a colored solid or patterned tablecloth as an eye-catching backdrop.  You can simply roll up white cloth napkins and tie them with some ribbon for easy elegance and contrast against the tablecloth.  For centerpieces, you could use simple accents such as floating votive candles in clear glass bowls, blue robin’s egg Easter candies in grapevine birds nests (purchase at your local craft store) or cut some blooming branches from your yard and place them in tall narrow vases.  Hang a few paper lanterns from shepherd’s hooks, and perhaps place a garden fountain nearby for relaxing ambiance.

Tableware – Depending on whether you’d like your garden party to be more formal or a relaxed, casual affair, you could either use all white plates and bowls for a uniform look or intentionally mismatched dishes in cheerful colors.  Check thrift stores if you decide to go with the latter option – you may luck out with a few great finds.

Menu – Your choice of food should mesh well with the overall level of formality you’d like to achieve for your party.  Go all out and serve a five course feast, recreate royal English afternoon tea or have a relaxed BBQ – it’s up to you.  Take some cues from Oprah, Bon Appetit Magazine and Sunset for creative meal ideas that will really impress your guests.

For a wide selection of beautiful, high quality picnic and outdoor entertaining products, check out PicnicFun.com.

Welcome Spring with a Delicious Easter Picnic Brunch

What better way to celebrate Easter with your family than a relaxing picnic brunch in the open air, surrounded by the sights and sounds of newly blooming spring?  Enjoy an abundance of fresh dishes inspired by the season as you soak up the sunshine in a local park, botanical gardens, at the beach or in your own backyard.  At PicnicFun.com, you can find a wide variety of beautiful picnic baskets perfect for your Easter outing including hand made willow baskets, traditional English-style picnic baskets and new modern designs with bright colors and designer patterns.  You can also shop the Easter Sale, where you’ll find a handpicked assortment of beautiful spring products at up to 25% off. 

Here are a couple of our favorite ‘Easter baskets’, and an Easter brunch picnic menu featuring tried-and-true brunch favorites with a spring twist.

Brittany Cottage Garden Casual Basket– Take this gorgeous basket along on your picnic to tote your meal, or let the kiddies use it to gather treats on an Easter egg hunt.  The lovely pink and green colors in the high quality designer cloth linens and hand-painted plates are perfect for the season.  Inside you’ll find all the tableware you need as well as napkins, a cruet set, corkscrew and insulated food cooler for either two or four people.

Rumba Willow Picnic Basket for 2 – Share a romantic picnic meal with someone special this spring with this beautifully designed picnic basket.  Playful yet sophisticated stripes adorn the lining and cloth linens, and it comes packed with plates, silverware, salt & pepper shakers, napkins, glasses and a corkscrew.

Easter Picnic Brunch Menu

Baked Asparagus and Yellow Pepper Fritatta
Ham and Yukon Gold Potato Cakes
Fruit Platter with Raspberry Dip
Mini Lemon Poppy Seed Muffins
Cinnamon Rolls with Cream Cheese Glaze
Champagne Lemonade

Find more Easter Brunch recipes at Epicurious.com, FoodNetwork.com or AllRecipes.com.

Fresh Picnic Recipes for Spring!

Have a sunny, breezy meal inspired by the season

It’s nearing mid-March, and signs of spring’s impending arrival are beginning to appear all over the country.  Whether you’re seeing the cherry blossoms bloom in San Francisco, already enjoying spring-like temperatures and greenery in Florida or just dreaming of warm spring weather as it continues to snow in Maine, you’re well on your way to long days in the sunshine with tender green buds sprouting up all around.   Start planning some light, fresh picnic meals now so you’ll have plenty to choose from when you start getting out and enjoying the season.  Here are some of our recent favorites.

Tarragon Shallot Egg Salad Sandwiches
Source: Gourmet Magazine April 2003 via Epicurious.com

Ingredients:

For egg salad
8 large eggs
1/2 cup mayonnaise
3 tablespoons finely chopped shallot
1 1/2 tablespoons finely chopped fresh tarragon, or to taste
2 teaspoons tarragon vinegar or white-wine vinegar
1/4 teaspoon salt, or to taste
1/4 teaspoon black pepper, or to taste

For sandwiches
Mayonnaise for spreading on bread (optional)
12 slices seedless rye bread or 6 kaiser rolls
3 cups tender pea shoots (3 oz) or shredded lettuce

Instructions:

Make egg salad:
Cover eggs with cold water by 1 inch in a 2-quart heavy saucepan and bring to a rolling boil, partially covered. Reduce heat to low and cook eggs, covered completely, 30 seconds. Remove pan from heat and let eggs stand in hot water, covered, 15 minutes. Transfer eggs with a slotted spoon to a bowl of ice and cold water and let stand 5 minutes (to cool). Peel eggs and finely chop.

Stir together eggs and remaining salad ingredients in a bowl with a fork.

Make sandwiches:
Spread some mayonnaise (if using) on bread and make sandwiches with egg salad and pea shoots.

Cooks' note:
• Egg salad can be made 1 day ahead and chilled, covered.

Arugula Salad with Blood Orange Vinaigrette
Source: Emeril Lagasse, FoodNetwork.com

Ingredients:

2 tablespoons olive oil
1/2 cup fresh porcini, thinly sliced
Salt and freshly ground pepper
1/4 teaspoon crushed red pepper flakes
2 cups arugula leaves, washed
1 cup red dandelion greens, washed
1/4 cup thinly sliced red onion
1 blood orange, segmented
Blood Orange Vinaigrette, recipe follows

Instructions:

Heat olive oil in a small skillet over medium-high heat. Add porcini, season with salt, pepper, and crushed red pepper, and saute until tender. Remove from heat.

Combine arugula, red dandelion greens, red onion, and orange segments in a bowl. Toss with vinaigrette to coat. Divide salad among 2 plates and top with porcini mixture. Serve immediately.

Blood Orange Vinaigrette:
1/2 cup blood orange juice
1 tablespoon finely chopped shallots
1 teaspoon Dijon mustard
1 teaspoon sugar
1 tablespoon sherry vinegar
1 cup olive oil
1/4 teaspoon salt
1/4 teaspoon pepper

Whisk together juice, shallots, mustard, sugar, and vinegar in a medium bowl. Slowly whisk in olive oil in a steady stream until combined. Season with salt and pepper.

Additional Spring Picnic Recipes:

Tuna and Artichoke Salad on Kalamata Olive Bread
Jill’s Fresh Pear and Maytag Blue Cheese Salad with Toasted Walnut Vinaigrette
Layered White Beans, Tuna and Vegetable Dip
Lemon-Blueberry Chess Squares
Spring Fruit Pudding

Picnic Meal Planning Tips for Simple, Delicious Al Fresco Dining

Naturally, every picnic revolves around food by its very definition.  The food you bring along can make or break the experience – but you needn’t be a whiz in the kitchen to get it right.  When planning your picnic menu, there are a few things to keep in mind to ensure that you have a lovely time and enjoy every last bite.

Nix foods that will require a lot of last minute preparation.  Once you arrive at your picnic destination, you won’t want to fiddle around with various bowls, platters and utensils.  Keep it simple.

Avoid sauces that will solidify as they cool down.  You’ll end up with some bits that are devoid of flavor and others with way too much, and the dish won’t look too pretty.

Unless you don’t mind wearing a bib, skip meals with drippy sauces that are likely to end up all over your face and clothes.  This is particularly true for greasy or sauce-covered finger foods, unless you're prepared with tons of napkins and/or pre-moistened wipes.  Attempting to be romantic with dried barbecue sauce on your nose isn’t going to impress your date.

Finger foods that aren’t covered in goo, however, are a great idea.  Vegetable sticks, cheese cubes, sliced fruit, pre-baked hors d’oeuvres, crackers and sliced bread are easy and elegant.

Don’t pre-assemble sandwiches with wet ingredients or condiments like mayonnaise – the bread will likely get soggy.  Place meats, cheeses, veggies and other sandwich ingredients in separate baggies or reusable containers and slap them together when you’re ready to eat.

Vinegar-based dishes are always a fantastic choice for picnics because not only do they stay fresh longer, the flavor intensifies throughout the day, so it’s a sure bet you won’t end up with a bland, tasteless meal.

Tailor your beverages to the meal.  Cola doesn’t go with everything.  Some ideas include sparkling water, iced tea (black, green, herbal or other varieties), juice, wine and champagne.

Use watertight containers if you’re filling your cooler with ice, or choose reusable ice packs as an alternative to loose ice. 

Bring a small cutting board and knife if you’ll need to cut food items like bread, cheese or veggies before eating – they’re included in many picnic sets.

Don’t want cold food?  Bring along a portable grill, which makes it easy to whip up nearly anything you want no matter where you are.  You can also preheat your meal and use a well-insulated cooler to keep food hot until you’re ready to eat.

Get ideas for picnic meals from our Recipes section – chock full of great ideas including seasonal picnic recipes, vegetarian picnic recipes, cookout recipes and much more.  You can find additional recipes at the Picnic Planning Center on PicnicFun.com.