In honor of the Holiday, what's your favorite picnic meal/food?

5 months ago

I don't do picnics anymore, but they were a big part of life when I was young. My favorites were spur of the moment bought on the fly at a little charcuterie near the university. Whatever interesting salads and patés they had, but mostly interesting French meats and cheeses, and a baguette. More than the "loaf of bread, jug of wine..." but along the same lines. :) If I were making a cold picnic, now, it would be more on the lines of a vegetable heavy chicken salad with sturdy but not shattery rolls, because picnics are more fun if you're not making a big mess.

For Memorial Day, I'd also make songsheets with mournful songs like Johnny Has Gone For a Soldier and John Brown's Body.

How about you? Do you bring a grill? Make sandwiches? Platters? Catch your lunch on site?

Featured Answer

colleenoz

5 months ago

last modified: 5 months ago

Something similar to @chloebud 's sandwich is something I've done on a number of occasions is the Two Fat Ladies' Shooter's Sandwich. You get a sourdough type loaf and hollow it out a little, then fill the cavity with a mixture of grilled sliced mushrooms and onions topped with slices of grilled steak. Season, put the top on, wrap well and keep in the refrigerator overnight with a weight on the top. Serve in slices. Yum!

Also what I called pizza bread, thinly rolled out bread dough in a rectangle with the third on either side cut into diagonal wide ribbons. Layer pizza toppings of your choice down the uncut middle, including of course mozzarella cheese, then pull the side ribbons of dough up over the filling, alternating them to make a herringbone pattern. Bake, and serve cold.

In Australia pretty well every public park has (usually free) barbecues for public use. so barbecue picnics are popular. Some years ago, a person planning a trip in my state which would include an early morning stop in my town, was asking on TripAdvisor where they could get breakfast. At the time, there wasn't anywhere, and the person sounded nice, so I said, "Well, my house, but if you prefer, we can meet in the park down by the river and I'll make you breakfast on the barbecue." So we organised to meet in the park and I took an esky with bacon, eggs, sausages and tomatoes and a big thermos of coffee down and the traveller and his wife and my DH and I had a really fun breakfast down there under the trees with the ducks steaming past in the river.

I had brought bacon from my favourite butcher (who smokes his own hams and bacon, and it's divine :-)) and our guests were so grateful as apparently good bacon is hard to come by in South Korea, where they were from. The husband was from the UK, teaching English in South Korea, and his wife was South Korean. Being English, the husband was especially fond of bacon for breakfast :-)

One week later, a massive windstorm came through and tore up trees and roofs all over town and the farms surrounding for several kilometres - we're in a valley and it just raced clear through the valley and did the most damage in the areas upvalley from our town, our town and then lesser damage down valley but still some in the next town down, about 30km away. The park we had breakfast in was wrecked, with about half a dozen huge old gum trees torn out of the ground and destroying much of the infrastructure such as barbecues and picnic tables etc.

Sort by:Oldest

Comments (12)

hobbitmom
5 months ago
Hmmm. ham and salami cheese sandwiches on rolls, homemade potato salad, dry white wine. So the only thing I need to bring is a cooler with stemmed glasses, a pretty cloth to lay down, a wine cork screw, pretty paper plates forks, a shady spot on a sunny day, and a designated driver. I think I’ll do this very thing soon!
plllog thanked hobbitmom
colleenoz
5 months ago
It depends on the event and who is coming. When we were younger, picnics had to have cold fried chicken and "goddamn Waldorf salad" (that's a Fawlty Towers quote for those who don't recognise it). Now it's whatever we fancy for the day. When it's with the outlaws, I usually include some kind of lemony dessert as my MIL loves lemon.
plllog thanked colleenoz
Related Discussions
Did you use any of your home canned foods for holiday meals?
Q
Comments (20)
I was just here checking to see if anyone was still canning anything, since I canned beef broth today. I raised the heritage Blue Slate turkey that we had at Thanksgiving, along with the fingerling potatoes which store very well in the cellar. Pumpkin pie was made from home canned pumpkin and an appetizer of a savory cheesecake was topped with my Habanero Gold. Mulled cider from cider we pressed and I had in the freezer stayed warm in the crockpot. Christmas thumbprint cookies contained homecanned jam and the green beans were from my basement "store" and my stepson roasted another one of those turkeys. The guys all doused theirs with my home canned hot sauce. All the Christmas baking was done with eggs from the freezer too, and the pie was made with homecanned apple pie filling. Throughout the holidays we snacked on fresh tortilla chips and salsa that I had canned (Yes, I'm THAT Annie). Oh, I made the ricotta for the lemon ricotta pancakes too, as well as the yogurt. Enchiladas made with leftover turkey were topped with tomatillo sauce that I made and froze when the last of my tomatillos vines were threatened by frost. My kids are coming over tomorrow and we're having beef roulades, with the onions in the rolled beef coming from the root cellar and the beef from my barnyard, good organic grassfed beef, a Hereford/Highland cross. Sweet and sour kale from our bumper crop of greens this year, home canned green beans with bacon for the grandkids and the cheesecake will be topped with homecanned blueberry topping. Appetizers will be venison sausage and homemade liverwurst from that same grassfed beef, pickled beets and Linda Lou's 10 day sweet pickles So, yeah, I use a lot of my canned goods. Annie
...See More
What Are Your Holidays (Meals, Events, Etc) Influenced by?
Q
Comments (11)
Our traditions when I was a child were fairly simple and mostly revolved around gathering family (grandparents, aunts, uncles cousins and honorary family) at a table for the meal and not a lot of other fanfare. Foods were specific to the holiday and pretty consistent over the years although my mom did love to try new things. Unfortunately the response more often than not, was to stick with the tried and true - kids can be so mean!! We didn't make big productions out of many of the holidays that are big events now. Halloween involved carving a pumpkin for/with each child then shoo-ing us out the door to trick or treat in whatever homemade costumes we came up with from the dress-up closet. My parents would never decorate our house and it never felt like anything was missing in our lives. Fourth of July was our village parade (with our decorated bikes) and speeches, then that night the fireworks. Memorial Day was more somber but also a village event. Being Jewish, I loved being invited to decorate trees with friends, but we had 8 nights of Hanukkah and the last night was the big family event with games, the traditional meal and presents. But other than the menorah and candles, no decorations. Passover was a huge production (I understand now how much work it entails), the High Holidays meant new outfits for temple, eating, fasting, lots of family in and out for the various services. My DH is not Jewish and came from a whole different set of (religious) traditions. Oddly, he didn't like many of them, even as a child and stopped participating as an adult. Of course, I get the blame for that! We forged new traditions with our sons, celebrating Hanumas or Christmakah. We topped our tree with a Jewish star for many years, until I realized no one else cared about the tree but me and when I stopped buying one they all said 'what took you so long?!' Last year we went to Washington for Thanksgiving. Our older son lives there in a tiny apartment in a national park. Tiny as in you can sit on the foot of the bed and open the refrigerator! Our younger son came from his college in CO, and the 5 of us (including DS1's girlfriend) stood shoulder to shoulder preparing the big meal. Nothing traditional, no turkey no stuffing no mashed potatoes - we had oysters, Dungeness crab, roast brisket..... and Mexican flan for dessert. Close quarters, limited equipment, borrowed dishes, no fancy table settings or decor but we laughed and felt so TOGETHER - it was probably the best Thanksgiving we've ever had! I love traditions but have come to appreciate the wonder of shaking things up now and then. In the end, though, it's all about the people I share the events with and have found simplifying things allows me to enjoy them much more.
...See More
What are your favorite appetizers for the Holidays?
Q
Comments (24)
We have ONLY apps for Christmas Day because family visits at random times throuhgout the day and it's impossible to coordinate a sit-down dinner. So it's very casual. Mtn, please tell me about the ham and cheese thumbprint cookies? We always have a few types of cheese and crackers. DH is really into cheese, so I let him do the choosing there. Also, a big veggie/crudite type platter. A big favorite that couldn't be easier -- a log of goat cheese with a little bowl of fig preserves next to it, with a tiny spoon, and some fancy crackers (I like Raincoast Crisps salty date and almond crackers). Spread cheese on cracker, add a little dollop of fig jam, so yummy. You can also heat up the jam a bit in the microwave and drizzle it over the goat cheese instead. I have also made my favorite app in the world, which I got from my neighbor, which involves wontons, chicken, and ranch dip. Sounds weird but it is amazing. I'll try to find the recipe...
...See More
What Time of Day Do You Have Your Holiday Meals?
Q
Comments (35)
It varies. It used to be dictated by one sister because as she has children, any and all schedules MUST be convenient for them, (none of my other siblings are like this, they all have children and understand that they wont DIE if they are a little more hungry than usual at mealtime). My mother always complied because the rest of us are more flexible and it was easier, even though it ticked me off. And to make it worse, that sister and her family are always always always LATE, even when she picked the mealtime, and then she blames it on having 6 kids. Its a vicious cycle. Or it was. But, as all her kids are getting older, and admittedly, I have become more obstinate about it, it is more flexible.(They are still always late, by an hour or so) I remember growing up it was at 3 pm. Always. Why I am not sure. When i started cooking the meal,I was still living at home and therefore cooked the whole meal there. I could not (still cant) STAND people in the kitchen PICKING at things because they were hungry, and then when the meal was ready everyone was full. Now that i make most of the meal at my own home the day before, well, the meal is when i show up and finish it. So there. This year I am hoping my mother will agree that a 12-1 pm mealtime will be okay. I have to be at work at 5 am the next morning because someone is on vacation that week and i am to cover her shift that day. Day shifts are pretty rough on me, rougher than they have been in years past, and i find i need more rest beforehand than i used to to be useful. They live about 45 minutes away, and i will be there early to start the turkey and other things, So I am hoping to leave around 3, 4 at the latest, get home, and get into bed.Besides, I have always thought such a big meal should be eaten at midday, then the leftovers can be picked at later when everyone gets hungry again. The only obstacle would be the above mentioned sister, who will be bringing some sweet potato thing and corn casserole. Normally i cook everything. But no matter to me anyway. I have NO reservations about serving the meal at the time it was announced that it would be served,whether or not they and their dishes are there.. They can put a plate in the microwave to reheat it when they get there. And that system doesn't seem to bother them either. It used to. She really expected us to wait, all the food ready, for her to show up and put whatever in the oven and wait for it to be done to eat. Nope. She learned the hard way.
...See More
chloebud
5 months ago
Gotta admit it’s been a while since I’ve gone to an actual picnic. One thing that comes to mind are the last things I made for a (sort of!) picnic…muffulettas. Layers of olive salad, cold cuts and cheeses in a hollowed out bread boat. Tasty and best when made ahead. I might be tempted to include a new potato and green bean salad I like to make with a balsamic vinaigrette. It’s one I’ve oftened served for outdoor gatherings we have. It would carry well for a picnic.👍🏻
plllog thanked chloebud
carolb_w_fl_coastal_9/10
5 months ago
Same here - I can't even remember the last time we went on a picnic - but I do like consider things like pasta, potato, and bean salads picnic fare - along with hotdogs and chicken. Not a burger fan, tho.
plllog thanked carolb_w_fl_coastal_9/10
sushipup2
5 months ago
Long ago, in San Francisco, we'd stop at a store for a loaf of sourdough and a small dry salami. And wine. Someone would have a knife, That's all it took.
plllog thanked sushipup2
LoneJack Zn 6a, KC
5 months ago
A whole BBQ spread prepared ahead of time with meat warmed on site using chafing pans. This is the plan for a long time freind's surprise 65th birthday in July. We have reserved a shelter house at a nearby lake. I'm smoking the ribs, brisket, and chicken. Others are bringing sides such as potato salad, cole slaw, and desserts.
plllog thanked LoneJack Zn 6a, KC
NiCOZ5
5 months ago
Brats on the grill. Potato salad. Diet Pepsi with lots of ice. Maybe choc-chip cookies for dessert. We've been @ one of our rentals doing a "refresh". I fix a picnic lunch every day to take with us! I've taken everything from tuna sandwiches to burritos or a salad. :0)
plllog thanked NiCOZ5
plllog
Original Author
5 months ago
I love all your responses, from the essentials to LoneJack's catering. I was thinking ground, maybe a blanket, maybe a basket rather than a grocery bag, maybe a park or beach with a picnic table and, if so, maybe a grill, or leave to use a camp stove or hibachi. My mind is much expanded now!
plllog
Original Author
5 months ago
Beautiful story!

Lovely hospitality!

I looked up ”esky”; cooler, for those who wonder.
floral_uk z.8/9 SW UK
5 months ago
My favourite picnic contains nothing I've had to make and involves little organisation.

A savoury pie, cold wine, olives, tomatoes. There's almost certainly cake out of shot.
plllog thanked floral_uk z.8/9 SW UK
sushipup2
5 months ago
Did you know that picnics are quite appropriate for Memorial Day. It was originally called Decoration Day after the Civil War and families would take a lunch and spend the day at the cemetery tending to the graves and 'decorating' with flags and flowers.
plllog thanked sushipup2

In honor of the Holiday, what's your favorite picnic meal/food?

colleenoz

Comments (12)

hobbitmom

colleenoz

Related Discussions

chloebud

carolb_w_fl_coastal_9/10

sushipup2

LoneJack Zn 6a, KC

NiCOZ5

plllog
Original Author

plllog
Original Author

floral_uk z.8/9 SW UK

sushipup2

COMPANY

BUSINESS SERVICES

GET HELP

CONNECT WITH US

In honor of the Holiday, what's your favorite picnic meal/food?

Comments (12)

Related Discussions

plllogOriginal Author

plllogOriginal Author

COMPANY

BUSINESS SERVICES

GET HELP

CONNECT WITH US

plllog
Original Author

plllog
Original Author