Create the Perfect Outdoor Picnic

The grass is back! The sun is out! Warmer weather is finally here and one of the best ways to cure cabin fever is by having a picnic party outside. To ensure that your outdoor dining is done right, follow these menu ideas and decoration suggestions found in Karen Brown's book "The Dinner Party Cookbook."

Invitations:

Select cards with flowers and birds. Ask your guests to come dressed for the outdoors.

Decorations/Table Settings:

If using a picnic table, drape the table with a colorful cloth and tie up corners with ribbons. For grass seating, drape a colorful cloth over a cushiony blanket.

For the centerpiece, tuck wildflowers or daisies into the ribbon of a large straw hat.

Store your packed food in large baskets, or have individual baskets ready for each guest. Be sure to chill the perishable items—especially those with mayonnaise or meat—in a cooler or Thermos.

Music:

Bring a portable CD player and play George Winston's Winter into Spring and Linus and Lucy albums for a light and lively touch.

Beverages:

Have cold, spiced iced tea or chilled French Chablis.

Menu:

PESTO CHEESE ROLLS (Makes: 6 Servings)

8 ounces pesto / 1/2 pound Swiss cheese, grated / 1 loaf French bread, unsliced /

1. In a food processor, blend together pesto and cheese until smooth.

2. Slice bread loaf in half lengthwise and scoop out the bread on both sides. Discard the soft bread. You will have two long, thin, crusty boats.

3. Fill the crusts with the cheese mixture and reassemble the loaf; wrap tightly with plastic wrap and refrigerate. To serve, slice crosswise.

CHILLED TOMATO SOUP (Makes: 6 Servings)

2 cucumbers / 1 can chicken broth / Salt and pepper, to taste / 2 8-ounce cans Bloody Mary mix / 2 cups stewed tomatoes / 2 tablespoons wine vinegar / 1 cup sour cream /

1. Peel and slice cucumbers, removing seeds.

2. In a small saucepan, cook cucumbers in broth fro 10 to 20 minutes or until tender. Allow to cool.

3. Sprinkle with salt and pepper, to taste, and pour into a blender with Bloody Mary mix, tomatoes, and vinegar; blend well.

4. Fold in sour cream and chill.

5. Keep soup cool in Thermos until serving time.

CHICKEN SALAD WITH ORZO PASTA IN LETTUCE CUPS (Makes: 6 Servings)

3 cups cooked chicken, cubed / Salt and pepper, to taste / ¼ cup oil and vinegar salad dressing / 1 cup mayonnaise / ½ cup sour cream / 1 teaspoon curry powder / 1 cup celery, chopped / 4 to 5 small green onions, sliced / 1 cup slivered almonds / 3 cups cooked orzo pasta / 6 lettuce cups /

1. In a large bowl, toss cooked chicken with salt, pepper, and oil and vinegar dressing.

2. In a separate bowl, mix together mayonnaise, sour cream, and curry powder; stir into chicken and blend well.

3. Add celery, onions, and almonds, then fold in pasta. Chill.

4. Spoon into lettuce cups to serve.

ICED GINGERBREAD (Makes: 9 Servings)

1 egg / ½ cup sugar / ½ cup oil / 2 cups flour / 2 teaspoons baking soda / 1 teaspoon ground ginger / 1 teaspoon cinnamon / ½ teaspoon ground cloves / ½ teaspoon salt / ½ cup molasses / ¾ cup boiling water

1. Preheat the oven to 350 degrees.

2. In a mixing bowl, beat together egg, sugar, and oil.

3. In a separate bowl, sift together flour and other dry ingredients.

4. Combine molasses with boiling water; mix until smooth.

5. Add the molasses mixture to the egg mixture; mix well.

6. Add the dry ingredients; mix well.

7. Pour the batter into a greased 9-by-9 inch pan.

8. Bake for 40 to 50 minutes, or until top springs back when touched. Cool and spread icing on top (icing recipe below).

ICING

1 egg white / ¾ cup sugar / 3 tablespoons water / 2 teaspoons corn syrup / ½ teaspoon cinnamon / ½ teaspoon vanilla extract

1. In top of a double boiler, beat egg white with an electric mixer; gradually add sugar, water, and corn syrup.

2. Cook and beat for 3 to 4 minutes, or until the mixture is thick enough to form peaks.

3. Remove from heat and mix in cinnamon and vanilla. Spread the icing on top of the cooled gingerbread.

Karen Brown, author of "The Dinner Party Cookbook" says, "This cookbook makes entertaining easy. The 21 special-occasion and ethnic theme dinner parties include complete menus, over 100 easy-to-follow recipes, and dozens of ideas for invitations, decorations, table settings, music, and beverages- everything you need to have a great party, except the guest list of course!"

 

Courtesy of FeatureSource


Author: FeatureSource Staff