Festive Picnics : Recipes, Crafts and Decorations for Outdoor Occasions

by Johns, Pamela Sheldon

• ISBN13: 9781580085601
• ISBN10: 1580085601
• Format: Paperback
• Copyright: 2004-03-01
• Publisher: Random House Inc

Summary

Garnished by an Aspen grove, seasoned with the aroma of salt water, or washed down with a fresh mountain breeze-a meal tastes even better when enjoyed in the great outdoors. Picnics can be formal affairs with fine china or impromptu spreads with bread, cheese, and wine; either way, they make occasions such as the Fourth of July, Mother's Day, or an anniversary all the more memorable. Packed with more than 40 recipes for salads, barbecues, desserts, drinks, and more, FESTIVE PICNICS is brimming with both picnic standbys as well as special-event fare. Traditional picnic eats such as Old-Fashioned Coleslaw and Black and White Chocolate Brownies will have your guests basking in life's simple pleasures. And the more gourmet recipes like Cold Avocado and Cucumber Soup, Hummus and Pickled Onion Sandwich Wraps, and Banana Cake with Blueberry Sauce will have your guests debating which is most outstanding-the food or the surroundings.Yet as appealing as the recipes are, it may be the craft ideas that make you set a date. FESTIVE PICNICS includes craft and decorating ideas perfect for an outing with friends or a beach day with the kids. Picnic Sand Pails, Picnic Party Fans, and Rice Paper Candle Holders are just a few of the crafts that will add ambience to your beautiful spread. Also included are a handy picnic packing list plus menu suggestions for holidays and themes such as Father's Day, a beach party, a bike/hike outing, and more. A guide to gourmet picnic eats plus craft ideas for making outdoor meals festive and fun.Features 8 recipes for picnic barbecues and 6 thirst-quenching recipes for cool picnic drinks.

Author Biography

PAMELA SHELDON JOHNS is a cookbook author who leads food and wine workshops in Italy and teaches cooking classes in the United States. She makes her home in Tuscany, Italy.
JENNIFER BARRY is the creator and designer of FESTIVE PICNICS, HOLIDAY HEARTS, the ITALIAN ARTISAN cookbook series, SONOMA, NAPA VALLEY, and several other books. She has won numerous awards, including James Beard and Julia Child cookbook awards and the Literary Market Place Publishing Designer of the Year award. She resides with her family in Fairfax, California.

Table of Contents

1 introduction	9	(6)
Thinking Outside the Lunch Box
Getting Ready
Setting the Table (or Blanket)
Keeping it Cool or Hot: Food Safety
Cooking Away from Home
Cooking on a Grill
Cleanup
Before You Go
A Picnic Packing List
Grilling Checklist
Festive Picnic Menus
2 soups, salads, & sandwiches
recipes	15	(22)
Cold Avocado and Cucumber Soup
Gazpacho
Chili
Roasted New Potato Salad with Pancetta-Rosemary Dressing
Corn, Roasted Pepper, and Arugula Salad
Creamy Tarragon Chicken Salad
Old-Fashioned Coleslaw
Asian Coleslaw
Couscous Salad
Enoki Cucumber Rolls
Goat Cheese, Arugula, and Tapenade Tea Sandwiches
Grilled Sesame Chicken Sandwiches with Wasabi Mayonnaise and Radish Sprouts
Shrimp and Fennel Salad in Mini Pita Pockets
Avocado, Pecorino, and Watercress Baguettes
Hummus and Pickled Onion Sandwich Wraps
3 picnic baskets & boxes
crafts	37	(12)
Picnic Bento Boxes
Decorative Picnic Takeout Containers
Picnic Sand Pails
Mother's Day Picnic Tea Baskets
Hand-Stamped Picnic Boxes
4 picnic barbecues
recipes	49	(16)
Grilled Prosciutto-Wrapped Figs Gorgonzola Crostini
Garlicky Barbecued Corn
Grilled Salmon Fillets with Pepper-Papaya Chutney
Mediterranean Marinated Swordfish and Shrimp Kabobs
Grilled Halibut Packets with Tomato, Feta, and Olive Salsa
Grilled Italian Sausage Skewers with Onion and Sweet Pepper
Grilled Hamburgers
Split and Skewered Grilled Game Hens with Chili-Orange Glaze
5 picnic tables
crafts	65	(10)
Decorative Tablecloth Weights
Flag Place Mats and Star-Folded Napkins
Sand Shovel Napkin Rings
Beach Bottle Place Cards
6 picnic desserts
recipes	75	(14)
Minted Orange and Mango Salad
Meyer Lemon Squares
Black and White Chocolate Brownies
Raspberry Scones
Banana Cake with Blueberry Sauce
Apple-Zucchini Cake
Red, White, and Blue Tartlets
Cheesecake with Brandied Cherries
7 picnic decorations
crafts	89	(10)
Fourth of July Centerpiece
Picnic Party Fans
Father's Day Party Ties
Rice Paper Candle Holders
8 picnic drinks
recipes	99
Iced Green Tea Spritzers
Honey-Orange Sun Tea
Strawberry-Mint Lemonade
Prosecco-Cassis Spritzers
Sangria
Lime-Cooler Margaritas
Metric Conversion
Craft Resources
Index