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Easy Picnic Guide

Posted Mon, Jul 30, 2007, 4:45 pm PDT
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On a sunny summer day, nothing beats great eats in the open air, whether you're on a hike, on the beach, or right in your own backyard. Wondering what to put in your basket? I conferred with Erin Eastland, who packs picnics like it's her job -- and no wonder, since she's the executive chef at Los Angeles' Cube, a resto and gourmet shop famed for their fabulous prepared picnics. Here are some top tips for a perfect summer picnic:

1. Go Cheesy: Great cheese, salami, and a crunchy loaf of bread are the foundation of any great picnic. Just keep in mind that really runny cheeses are going to make a mess (or make you sick) if left out too long, so go for harder cheeses like Manchego or cheddar.

2. Lose Control: People love the "build-your-own" thing, so just set out the ingredients and utensils and let them go to town. Bring lots of condiments, since there's always a mustard maniac, a jam junkie, a salsa sucker, and an "I put ranch on everything" person in the group.

3. Go for the Grain: Grain salads hold up better than pasta. Farro is the new thing: This ancient grain is hard to overcook, great at room temperature, and really good for you. Throw in a simple vinaigrette, some diced veggies, and a crumble of goat cheese or feta, then season with salt and pepper. 

4. Give Options: Remember, you can't run to the fridge when your friend reveals her devout vegetarianism. Easy picnic picks: grapes or strawberries (the ultimate finger foods), bananas (no washing, no seeds), and apples (no-smush factor). Best for pre-picnic cutups: watermelon, plums, and peaches with lime juice so they don't get brown. Bring low-fat all-natural chips. Your always-on-a-diet friend will be silently praising you. Try Mr. Krispers Nacho Baked Rice Krisps.

5. Leave the Heirloom at Home: Bring a big blanket that you won't worry about spilling something on. If a stain would bum you out, don't bring it. Buy a cheap picnic blanket and make sure it's large enough for everyone to get a seat. I like Tuffo's funky striped blanket.

6. Get Your Game On: Sure, eating is the main event, but people will get restless, so bring something for everyone to do: board games, cards, football, Frisbee. Because they're laid-back and stress-free, like any good picnic should be, my picnic games of choice are Set®, gin, and chess.

7. Customize to Your Crowd: The basket you take to the park with your six-year-old and the one you take on a picnic date shouldn't be packed with the same stuff. Take risks, be original, and add touches tailored to your crowd.  

Finally, in the don't forget category: the picnic playlist and checklist...

The playlist (constructed by my favorite music experts, Kevin Mangini and Susie Lyons)

The checklist (not including food and drink):

  • Corkscrew
  • Bottle opener
  • Ice
  • Cooler
  • Sunscreen
  • Bug repellent
  • Sweatshirts
  • Sunglasses
  • Hats
  • Trash bags
  • Salt and pepper
  • Napkins
  • Water (some for drinking, extra for washing stuff)
  • Blanket
  • Games (chess board, football, Frisbee, cards, etc.)
  • Music
  • Plates
  • Cups
  • Forks, spoons, and knives
  • Sun umbrella if you're headed to the sand
  • Candles and matches if you're picnicking after dark

Average (155 Ratings): 4 out of 5 stars

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  • 1. Posted by cuz on Tue, Jul 31, 2007, 8:36 am PDT

    Great advice! Thanks for this very valuable list!

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  • 2. Posted by watsonkct on Tue, Jul 31, 2007, 9:06 am PDT

    I'm posting this on my kitchen board with all important information for summer eating. They are helpful reminders because nothing is as much fun as a picnic if its simple and fun and you didnt leave the bug repellent at home.

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  • 3. Posted by MoJo on Tue, Jul 31, 2007, 1:42 pm PDT

    Cool column -- I'll have to make sure my wife reads this before the next time we head out for a sunny evening of food and vino in Central Park.

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  • 4. Posted by lmcdermo39 on Tue, Jul 31, 2007, 4:34 pm PDT

    Great list of items not to forget for your picnic or day at the beach. Write out a list of everything you want to bring with you and check them offf as you put them in the picnic basket or cooler. Candles and matches never thought of them..good idea. Thanks

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  • 5. Posted by hmbillybatson on Tue, Jul 31, 2007, 6:55 pm PDT

    Another great blog from the queen of food bloggers!!! This should be a daily thing.

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  • 6. Posted by Dafina B on Wed, Aug 01, 2007, 4:57 pm PDT

    This is great, I could use more advice like this!

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  • 7. Posted by caldaraj on Wed, Aug 01, 2007, 8:06 pm PDT

    Providing for the picnic personsalities in #2 is a great idea and makes pickin-the-fixins more fun for host and guest. Serving farro sounds foolproof--it's new to me and that's why I love this blog!

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  • 8. Posted by patty k on Fri, Aug 03, 2007, 10:24 am PDT

    great picnic ideas .Thanks guys.i love picnics but unsure what to pack in this hot weather.now it's off for fun I go. also I always like to pack water guns forrefreshing laughter.Books and a pillow also have been nice.

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  • 9. Posted by lidia s on Sat, Aug 04, 2007, 4:15 am PDT

    good!

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  • 10. Posted by mehmetozgule on Sun, Aug 05, 2007, 5:49 pm PDT

    thank you

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  • 11. Posted by Tiger Marie on Tue, Aug 07, 2007, 2:27 pm PDT

    EZ table cloth solution for those tables is a fitted sheet (full size). Then you don't have to worry about the wind blowing it up and rushing to find something to hold down the ends. I have been doing picnics with my kids for 17yrs and they are teenagers/young adults now and we still do them quit often. I even keep basic stuff in my car just in case we go by a sandwich shop to grab a bite and we go to a near by park to have a quick picnic - my kids love doing this - even as teenagers. My kids remember those days better than going to some fancy restaurant.

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  • 12. Posted by loverboy1980 on Tue, Aug 07, 2007, 6:36 pm PDT

    Wow! A picnic sounds so fun!!!!! I wish my wife hadn't gone to jail for running over that baby cause she loves picnics. Oh God, why does life have to be so cruel!!!!! My favorite thing to do in the park is play frisbee.

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  • 13. Posted by ladyraptor on Thu, Aug 09, 2007, 10:22 am PDT

    This was a really good article, thanks! I never thought of some of those things. I can't wait for my next picnic now.

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  • 14. Posted by billageegranite on Thu, Aug 09, 2007, 10:25 am PDT

    You get paid for this?

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  • 15. Posted by sabei0990 on Thu, Aug 09, 2007, 11:39 am PDT

    The "I put Ranch on everything" person. LMAO I know those types.

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  • 16. Posted by theadesmoines on Thu, Aug 09, 2007, 11:42 am PDT

    Mo Jo: Instead of making sure your wife reads this, why don't YOU pack the picnic? I just love men; always ready to kick back and let some woman feed them, entertain them, and wipe up after them.

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  • 17. Posted by APRIL LOU J on Thu, Aug 09, 2007, 11:48 am PDT

    love it..my 14 months old baby boy are planning to have one with my older sisters and cousins..picnic is evrything for the kids..they can run and run without worrying they could bump their head so ..the first time we go out we didnt bring anything but a milk for my baby of course until we realize that we should prepare some foods..thanks for the tips!

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  • 18. Posted by Penny E on Thu, Aug 09, 2007, 12:05 pm PDT

    Sounds like fun. BTW, everybody's taste in music is different. Make mine Country.

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  • 19. Posted by leigha673 on Thu, Aug 09, 2007, 1:13 pm PDT

    Why not bring washers or bags along to play? Those are fun easy games.

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  • 20. Posted by Ku on Thu, Aug 09, 2007, 1:16 pm PDT

    That's pretty cool, corkscrew, salami, cheese, and frisbee a must.

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  • 21. Posted by Kerriaine H on Thu, Aug 09, 2007, 1:18 pm PDT

    Great advice! Something for everyone!! Can't wait to try the Farro salad. Loved your reader's advice about the fitted sheet for a tablecloth...awesome. Thanks for the tips.

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  • 22. Posted by fabiola on Thu, Aug 09, 2007, 1:18 pm PDT

    I really like your colum, please try to write stuff like this one. It really helps a lot.

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  • 23. Posted by Ben K on Thu, Aug 09, 2007, 1:20 pm PDT

    I saw a casual picnic with picnic table. They brought chicken, grapes, loaf of french bread, fresh fruit and a old candelabra you could get cheap at a sale. They had a table cloth and lit the candles. IT WAS AN EARLY EVENING PICNIC. a little imagination can make it fun and doesn't have to be formal, just a few candles of any type. Nice tradition.

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  • 24. Posted by BANJO on Thu, Aug 09, 2007, 1:26 pm PDT

    Great advise, many i will try out soon. One thing though, that music playlist is horrible. Not only is there NOT an even flow to it, but Bright Eyes, Guns and Roses? ...... eeewwww.

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  • 25. Posted by Aparna S on Thu, Aug 09, 2007, 1:28 pm PDT

    How very nice..this is really helpful

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  • 26. Posted by ec1971 on Thu, Aug 09, 2007, 1:29 pm PDT

    Awesome advice and you've heard of Belle and Sebastian (and you are very cute)!

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  • 27. Posted by ladvan on Thu, Aug 09, 2007, 1:30 pm PDT

    This guide is great, I always forget the knife to cut the tomatos with. Now I will have a check list to go by. Thanks for the info

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  • 28. Posted by teecayb on Thu, Aug 09, 2007, 1:31 pm PDT

    Thanx so much for the great tips--I'm always looking for picnic ideas for planning that special romantic moment (in a park or the beach); now if I could just find my Mr. Right.

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  • 29. Posted by Sassy... on Thu, Aug 09, 2007, 1:33 pm PDT

    Nothing like new and great ideas. Sure seems like together we can get the best picnic ever together. Oh yeah, always include the candles, wine, cheese, bread and grapes. Also bring along some moist towelettes. ENJOY...

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  • 30. Posted by anamatamorosan on Thu, Aug 09, 2007, 1:38 pm PDT

    Just wanted to let you know, I thought your article was very good. There is only one comment I wanted to make. You probably don't know this, but the word picnic comes from the days of slavery. All the white people use to gather and bring food and refreshments when there was to be a hanging. It was called PIck A Negro to hang. It was later shorten to PicNic. That is why you will never hear a black person refer to it as PicNic instead they'll say we're having a barbeque. Just thought I'd mention it so the black commnity will not be offended.

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