Time For A Picnic Lunch

(Image courtesy of Paul)

If you haven't gone on a picnic yet this summer, now's the time! The best season of the year may be winding down but it's not over yet, and a beautiful weekend in the park is the perfect setting for a fabulous picnic with friends, family, or a significant other.

The next question, then, is what should you prepare and take to enjoy on your picnic? Well, renters.apartments.com has a few ideas - 10, to be exact!

1. It’s a lazy summer day. You’ve got all the time in the world, and there’s a good chance your picnic is going to last half the afternoon. If so, you’re going to need some snacks and appetizers. Hummus and pita bread is classic picnic cuisine.
2. If you want something flashier and more indulgent than humus, bring along some pate; mushroom, chicken liver, and duck pate with apple jelly are just a couple of options.
3. Cheese and fruit are essential to any picnic. Smoked Gouda, Edam or goat cheese go nicely with grapes or figs. Throw some salami or smoked salmon into the mix and you’ll have a nice charcuterie plate.
4. If you want super-fresh fruit, opt for strawberries, raspberries or blueberries. They are all in season during the summer.
5. Any European -and they know a thing or two about dining al fresco- will tell you that a crusty baguette is a must have at a picnic.
6. While people will argue that macaroni or potato salad are picnic staples, if you’re planning on being outside for a long time, mayonnaise that’s slowly going sour will have you thinking differently, and probably hating future picnics, too. Instead of macaroni potato salad, make a salad using orzo rice shaped pasta. Add asparagus, spring onions, peas and pine nuts, and then sprinkle it with olive oil.
7. A classic chicken Caesar salad with hard boiled eggs is filling and easy to share, and it’s the perfect addition to an outdoor pick-up meal.
8. Is there any food more portable than a wrap sandwich? Wrap up your favorite deli meats with some sprouts and lettuce and voila.
9. Desserts can be tricky, not to mention messy and a magnet for bugs, bees and other picnic creatures. Cookies aren’t really fancy enough, and a pint of your favorite ice cream is going to melt in five minutes. This is where the cupcake comes in. Small, portable and eaten in a couple of bites, cupcake frosting won’t melt too fast, causing a mess, nor will the dessert be around long enough to attract bugs.
10. Depending on where you’re having the picnic, a chilled bottle of white wine is the perfect beverage. If that’s not possible, opt for lemonade or sweet tea.