The Picnic

What is more quaint than a picnic, I ask? The answer, of course, is "Nothing." And I think picnics should make a comeback. In a time when the economy continues to play a dramatic role in our lives, with most of us pinching pennies any way we can, picnics are a great way to "eat out" without depleting your bank account. And virtually any food can be picnic-friendly, assuming that it can be served and consumed at room temperature. I have started packing picnic lunches when I know Ram and I are going to be on the road, for two reasons. One, it's expensive to eat at a restaurant! When we drive from Massachusetts to Maine, we used to stop in Biddeford for dinner. It would easily cost us $20-30, about 1/3 of our weekly grocery bill! When I put it in that perspective, it's sort of hard to justify padding the pockets of Ruby Tuesdays while my pockets are empty. The second reason I started packing picnics is because it's the only way I can ensure my meals are nutritious (without tracking down nutritional information for the restaurant ahead of time).

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But the best reason for having a picnic is that it's fun. We are able to sit down, without a TV or Muzak blaring in the background, talking, eating, and relaxing. When we picnic, we tend to linger over the meal a little more than we do at home. We engage with our food, moving from bite to bite as if we have all day. Because if the setting is nice (i.e. beside the water in Rockport, MA, or at the tree-filled Visitor Center in southern Maine), we are compelled to enjoy it.

Some things to keep in mind when planning a picnic.

-- You want to pack foods that are delicious when served room temperature. I should confess that I like a lot of foods cold/lukewarm, so this is not a problem for me. For our last picnic, I packed my pureed butternut squash soup (in a Lock-and-Lock to prevent spillage), turkey burgers in pitas (wrapped tightly in aluminum foil), and vegetables with hummus (also packed in Lock-and-Lock because it stacks well, too). These foods kept well on the trip, but certainly there are some things that don't keep so well. I would be unlikely to pack, for example, lasagna because congealed cheese just isn't my thing. I would also hesitate to pack ice cream or popsicles, because those are dishes best served frozen.

But wait! There are storage and travel containers on the market that purport to keep your foods hot or cold for extended periods of time, so if you can't stand the idea of lukewarm pasta salad, there's a solution out there for you.

-- You want to remember to pack utensils. And napkins. And bottles of water/iced tea/whatever. When you pack your food up before heading out, take a minute to visualize the process of eating. What tools or condiments might you need? Does someone in your dinner party need milk to wash down his vittles? Maybe one of your kids is a neat-freak who needs to have clean hands at all times (not such a bad problem to have...). The idea is to have a simple, low-key meal out, but it's helpful to be prepared.

-- Believe me when I tell you that insects love picnics. If you're prone to becoming mosquito food, be sure to pack bug repellent, too. Just don't spray too close to the food.

-- Consider your location. Will you need a blanket to sit on? Should you bring sunglasses? Maybe you're going to the coast and you want to take advantage of some freshly-prepared seafood. Plan your meal around it! Preparing ahead in order to exploit your picnic location could lead to some great new memories.

I hope you'll consider picnic dining sometime this summer or fall. It's a great way to slow down, to soak in your surroundings, and to break out of your routine. Whether you're at the sea or in the mountains, picnics are meant to be fun and communal, relaxing and delicious, with fork in hand.