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A Picnic Palette – Pair your wine with a portable cheese-cutting board.
Made of bamboo, the Formaggio comes with all the necessary tools:
all neatly packed inside a sliding door. It’s like the Swiss Army Knife of cheese boards.
A picnic is one of the most desired things of any couple and children enjoys picnic to the maximum extent. The most important thing that you need to take while going out for picnic is a basket where everything you need during your picnic will be kept.
The classic picnic basket has changed a lot over time. They come in a variety of shapes and sizes now, and with different feature sets according to the requirements of the users. Nowadays, some excellent picnic basket collections are available in the market. They come complete with various things like
While choosing a picnic basket you should take into consideration various things like the required size, the use you’ll put it to in the future, what extra items included in the basket are really required, the quality of the materials, etc. You can also select an excellent picnic basket as a gift item for your special someone, to show that you really care!
The picnic baskets are designed according to the motive, and you can select accordingly:
• Cutlery baskets: For examples some baskets are usually made for carrying the cutlery items. They are made of such staff as fibers and jute so that the cutlery doesn’t break easily. It is more like backpacks for people who are more interested in picnics frequently.
• Children’s baskets: The picnic baskets can also be used for carrying the essential items of the children. They are usually decorated with teddy bears and often they have floral designs as well. They may be white in color with beautiful floral motifs. There are bags which have numerous pockets for carrying other essential items as well. You can carry a wide number of essential things in those baskets.
• House-like baskets: Some baskets are designed like a house and in them you can carry the foodstuffs which you will need throughout the journey. They are shaped in such way that you can take out anything that you need at any point of time by searching. These bags are usually essential for carrying the feeding bottles of children (if you have one during your picnic), or carrying such stuffs as umbrellas, biscuits, purse or even combs (which are required frequently).
• Shelved baskets: There are wines baskets which are especially designed to carry wines inside. The wines can be kept in shelves which are made in a small space with adequate intelligence. They may also carry condiments like tomato and chili ketchup. These types of picnic baskets are widely used in the market and people who are in a habit of drinking during a picnic prefer this basket to the rest.
• Two-fold picnic baskets and their uses: Some picnic baskets have two folds. They can be opened one by one or subsequently. These picnic baskets can be used for twofold purposes. On one fold you can take your clothes while on the other fold you can actually take the utensils and cutlery. You can also take the food items with you once you buy this type of basket.
While going for a picnic you can choose any one basket that suits your choice. These baskets will be highly beneficial for you and will be of optimum help during your picnic.
Picnics are a favorite outdoor activity that people love to do whenever they have free time, especially during holiday weekends. You may go picnicking with family and friends or anyone. When we talk about picnics, one of the most important issues that comes to mind is the equipment that we are going to need. There are many questions like how to prepare and hold food for a curtain kind of picnic? Which equipment should I buy? and more. But one of the more frequent questions that have been asked is concerning picnic backpacks.
In the past, we may have seen a lot of people using picnic baskets, but today many people have changed to using picnic backpacks instead, due to the convenience and more capacity that picnic backpacks can offer so you can rest assured that you will enjoy the trip together. If you are currently using a picnic basket like the old times, I strongly suggest changing or adding picnic backpacks to your picnic equipment and you will find that it provides you more than you ever thought of.
Some people who are familiar with picnic baskets may not be familiar with picnic backpacks and their benefits. Picnic backpacks are typically similar to hiking backpacks, in terms of external look, picnic backpacks look pretty much like ordinary hiking backpacks, which are usually made from common fabrics such as canvas and acrylic. But if we look inside of the backpack you will see the major difference. That is, the interior of a hiking backpack is specially designed to contain hiking and trail equipment, clothes and canvas shoes etc. But the interior of picnic backpack is designed to contain picnic supplies. However, it is still hard to imagine what a picnic backpack looks like, so let me give you an example for a clearer understanding. For example, picnic backpacks contain picnic accessories such as plates, wine glasses, napkins and a cooler compartment to store your food. It will have special section inside the bag to contain these items with extra protection to prevent breakage. The backpack may also have a section for containing a rolled picnic blanket.
About the material that they are made from, as mentioned earlier that picnic backpacks generally made from 600D poly canvas and they also have ergonomic backpack straps for convenience and comfortable carrying. The special part of a picnic backpack can be found inside as there is plenty of space to contain picnic equipment, a Thermal Shield insulated cooler to keep food and drink at the perfect temperature with removable waterproof liner for cooler compartment. Moreover, for the wine lover, there are detachable wine holders for your favorite wine during the picnic, picnic backpacks also provide special space for wine glasses with considerable protection so you can be sure that wine bottles and glass will not broken.
It can be said that today most people still enjoy using old-fashion picnic baskets, which is perfectly fine, meanwhile there are many people who have switched to picnic backpacks as they can see the many benefits to using them, especially if your picnic destination is somewhere off the beaten path. So it is your own consideration as to which kind of carrier suits you needs the best and then just go for it.
Bahamas Collection
Bahamas Collection
Pampered Picnic recently added a fantastic line of picnic totes and coolers from Picnic at Ascot, designers of upscale picnic products, introducing the Bahamas Collection consisting of eleven great ideas for your picnic needs. Constructed using a reinforced two tone natural woven raffia the collection is proving to have a very wide appeal and should not be missed.
The Bahamas collection star product is an insulated fully equipped picnic basket tote for four people which will keep food and drinks at the perfect temperature (our price $79.95). For more information visit www.pamperedpicnic.com
Do you feel like planning for a picnic with your family anytime soon? Have you treated your family to a picnic in the past? If the answers to these questions are yes, maybe it can help if we sort some things out. Family picnics are fun, exciting and great occasions for family bonding. But for some children, the teenaged ones in particular, are by nature hyperactive and may find family picnics boring. It is therefore important for you to consider adding more life to your next family picnic. Here are some steps you can take.
Choosing your next picnic location carefully is one of the key means by which you can turn simple picnics into a day of fun and excitement. This should not be a problem because there certainly are lots of ideal picnic destinations you can choose from. Examples are public parks, beaches, resorts, or even your own backyard. The idea behind picnics is change of scenery. Anything that has a refreshing effect on the family can be a hit.
Choosing the menu or set of foods including snacks and drinks, again carefully, which your family may wish to bring along to the picnic site is another important consideration. Complaints about how the food tastes is almost always a sure spoiler. Your exciting day can turn drab instead. To prevent this, let your family, children included, have a say on what kind of foods would be best to bring to the picnic. This way you give your family members added stake in the activity, and therefore it should help enhance color and life to your family picnic.
Be reminded, however, that turning a simple picnic into a day of fun and excitement is more than just about great food and eating. As earlier suggested, you need to add life to it by engaging the family in various activities. Here are some examples. If you have in mind your backyard as your picnic site, you can set up volleyball or badminton nets. Prepare also for other fun outdoor games. If you are thinking of a picnic at any of the public parks, think also of facilities which your family can avail itself of. Your children would surely appreciate having a playground. You can also go fishing or swimming in case there are bodies of water in the public park.
Another way of turning a simple picnic into a fun and exciting day is inviting people to join you in addition to your immediate family members. Your neighbors or friends of your children may like the idea. Such a sense of inclusion often works to brighten up everybody, especially your children. On the other hand, may also wish to spend as much quality time as possible with your family, and so making your family picnic private would be best in that regard. In any case, the decision would be best left to you.
We just discussed some of many steps you may take to turn such simple occasions into a day full of fun and excitement. To repeat, do let your family members help you plan for that day. Let them share inputs on choosing your picnic site or location, choosing the food you should bring and eat, and also let them help you prepare the food itself.
Summer is the season of fun! Kids are out of school, the days are warmer/longer, vacation time is coming up, and it is the best overall relaxing time period during the year. Summer truly signifies the release from winter’s cold grasp to freedom of rebirth and renewal. It is also the perfect season for family picnics.
For the pastry shell:
1 cup all-purpose flour
1 tablespoon sugar
1/4 teaspoon salt
1/4 teaspoon grated lemon peel
8 tablespoons (1 stick) unsalted butter
1 tablespoon water
1/2 teaspoon vanilla extract
For the cherry filling:
9 tablespoons sugar
1 cup red Bordeaux wine
2 tablespoons fresh lemon juice
3 cups fresh Bing cherries, rinsed, stemmed, pitted
For the almond custard:
1 large egg
1 egg yolk
3/4 cup sugar
1/2 cup all-purpose flour
1 cup whole milk
3 tablespoons butter
2 tablespoons Cognac or kirsch
2 teaspoons vanilla extract
1/4 teaspoon almond extract
1/2 cup whole blanched almonds, finely ground in food processor or blender.
1. Make the pastry shell. Mix the flour, sugar, salt and lemon peel in a bowl or food processor. Cut the butter into 1/2-inch slices and work them into the flour mixture with your fingers, or use the pulse motion of your processor, until the pastry is mostly cornmeal-size pieces and the mixture begins to hold together. Combine the water and vanilla and work them into the mixture just until the pastry is well blended and will hold together if you press it. Press the dough evenly over the bottom and up the sides of a 9-inch tart pan. Wrap in foil and freeze for 30 minutes or overnight.
2. Preheat the oven to 375 degrees. Lightly press foil to line the bottom and sides of the pastry shell and fill with pie weights or dried beans. Bake for about 25 minutes, or until the pastry edges are golden brown. Carefully lift off the weights and foil. Bake the pastry 5 minutes longer. Cool the pan on a wire rack.
3. While the pastry bakes, make the cherry filling. Combine 6 tablespoons of the sugar, the wine and the lemon juice in a medium-size saucepan and stir until the sugar is dissolved. Heat to boiling. Drop in the cherries and simmer for 5 minutes, or until they are just tender. Cool in the syrup for 30 minutes. Then drain, saving the syrup for another use. (It can be kept covered in the refrigerator for up to 2 weeks.)
4. Meanwhile, make the almond custard. Whisk the egg and egg yolk in a mixing bowl until blended and gradually whisk in the sugar until the mixture is pale yellow. Whisk in the flour. Heat the milk to boiling in a small saucepan and whisk it into the egg mixture in a thin stream. Whisk until smooth. Pour into a medium-size saucepan and cook over medium heat, whisking slowly, until the mixture coagulates into lumps. Whisk vigorously until the custard is smooth. Lower the heat and beat with a wooden spoon 2 to 3 minutes longer to cook the flour thoroughly. Remove from the heat; beat in the butter, Cognac and extracts. Fold in the almonds and the drained cherries.
5. Preheat the broiler. Spread the cherry filling in the tart shell. Sprinkle the remaining 3 tablespoons of sugar over the tart and broil 2 to 3 minutes to caramelize the sugar lightly.
Yield: 8 servings.
| Calories | 335 | Carbohydrate | 22 g | Fat | 11 g |
| Fiber | 1 g | Protein | 36 g | Saturated Fat | 2 g |
| Sodium | 563 mg |
Picnics are traditionally held on the weekends (Sunday being the most popular day) and are typically reserved for the lunch/dinner meals. Here are a couple of suggestions to make your picnic transition more smoothly.
The first step in creating the perfect picnic is choosing the menu. The menu should be simplistic and include the main course, minor dessert, and also encompass drinks/snacks. The most basic forms of food accompanied into picnics are sandwiches (or other main course dishes), chips (of any form), crackers, soda/water/juice, fruits (typically whatever is in season), and candy. These food groups keep the meal simple with very little preparation time involved.
The next step is selecting the perfect location for your experience. This step is greatly influenced by the personalities (and activity levels) of your family members. If your family likes to hike and camp, then a location where you could hike in and picnic would be best for you. If your family is more passive and into sports; than a park would be a more suitable environment for your family’s picnic. Make sure you pick a location that is both accessible and enjoyable for your family. Also, remember to select the appropriate picnic basket for your location.
The final step is to enjoy your picnic. This is a time to relax and enjoy some time with your family. Make sure you spend adequate time communicating and enjoying one another’s company. After all, isn’t relationship bonding the whole purpose of a picnic?
Picnics are not just an awesome way for families to spend quality time. Couples find that a picnic meal made for two can be quite romantic. Here are some suggestions for spending a few hours with that special someone in your life.
When planning a romantic picnic, atmosphere is key. The right setting can express to your special someone exactly what you are feeling. If you are lucky enough to live near water, the evening sunset from the beach or a pier can set the mood. For city dwellers, the setting sun against the skyline is also a wonderful sight.
The location for your romantic date doesn’t have to be a place that you must drive to reach. The comfort of your own backyard can be romantic and inviting. On a warm spring night, lighting tiki torches around the back patio or stringing white lights around the patio umbrella gives your home the sensation of a foreign atmosphere. They can take you from the suburbs to somewhere exotic in little time at all.
Nothing says romance like a bottle of bubbly. Another benefit of a backyard romantic picnic is that you don’t have to worry about driving home after consuming all of that champagne. Let the champagne or wine chill in an ice bucket. Cover the table with a lacy tablecloth for an elegant meal together.
This is supposed to be a romantic event so dispense with the plastic cups and other paper/plastic utensils. Use real plates, silverware, napkins, and champagne flutes. Set up a CD player or mp3 player with speakers to envelope the evening in sweet music. Candles lining the table are a classic romantic touch.
Depending on the time of year, select the food accordingly. In the spring or summer, a cold meal can beat the heat. Select chocolate covered strawberries that have been well chilled to complement the champagne. Cheese and crackers are light and easy to fix. A seafood or chicken salad on a bed of romaine lettuce is ideal on a warm evening.
When evenings are cooler in the fall and winter months, prepare a warm seafood bisque or chowder to take off the chill. Serve with warm toast points or oyster crackers. A creamy dessert, preferably warm, can round out the meal.
You may opt for something other than champagne when the weather turns cool. Enjoy your dessert with an Irish coffee or an after dinner cognac to take the chill off. Use your imagination. If you can pack it, you can enjoy it at a picnic.
Romance comes in a variety of forms-it may even be hiding in a picnic basket. Surprise that special someone in your life with a few hours away from it all in dreamy bliss. A picnic may be just what they need.
How would you like to have relaxation, fun and excitement all at the same time? If the idea sounds great to you, then the signs are up that you should think about having a picnic. Indeed not a few individuals have wondered if having a picnic has been the break that they have needed all along. Well, you do not have to be fussy about it. Just see if the following signs relate to you; if they do, then chances are hosting or having a picnic might be your perfect idea of fun, excitement and relaxation.
1. Being a small group or a big group does not get in the way of enjoying a picnic. You can be as few as one or as big as fifty. But it has been said that the best group that can ever go picnicking is the whole family. Thus if you are a parent, the idea of planning for a picnic should cross your mind easily. Has your career taken so much of your time away from your family? Do you feel like making up for it? Then going outdoors with the whole family to have a picnic is surely one good answer. Picnics bring out the best opportunity there is for family bonding. The parents can have their kids all to themselves. The kids can have their parents all to themselves. They get to play, laugh, talk, eat and have fun together. Every minute of picnic time is quality time.
2. Do you feel like putting new life and swing to romance? Taking your special someone to a picnic date fits that idea as well. The magic that picnics have for families or friends is the same magic that can work for your romantic adventure. Picnics give you an envigorating world, so to speak, where you may wish to do things together. Be discreet, however, of the picnic site you wish to go to, in case you want a more intimate flavor to your date.
3. Are you toying with the idea of fun and adventure that will not cost you that much? There is so much variety in activities that you can do in a picnic. Softball, soccer, volleyball, among many other fun games, make picnics occasions of fun, adventure, and healthy relaxation. You will have no need for complex facilities or equipment for these activities. It makes you worry less for things you need to buy, except of course for food and beverages.
4. Do you feel like going for a change of pace, or of places and activities you are used to? Having or hosting a picnic is a refreshing diversion. Despite its popularity, picnics do not really form part of people’s routine. Families, lovers or groups of friends often prefer malling or eating out in restaurants, or simply staying at home, than seeking fund and leisure outdoors. Thus the time might be just right for you under any of the above circumstances to go picnicking more often. Have it in your backyard, in state parks, near a lake, or wherever you like. Remember that in having picnic adventures, there is always an attraction that is hard to ignore.
Whatever your inclinations maybe, the reasons why you might go picnicking are many. The adventure can happen in many places. The occasion it offers for bonding, fun and excitement is unlimited. You can fill the day with games, festivities and laughter. It would be surprising if all these years you have not yet experienced the joys of joining a picnic party. Otherwise it is time for you to get yourself moving to plan for your first picnic adventure. Go and gather your family, friends or loved ones for a day of picnicking.
2 pounds small russet potatoes
1/4 cup dry white wine
1 tablespoon white-wine vinegar
1 tablespoon fresh lemon juice
1 teaspoon Dijon mustard
1/2 teaspoon salt
1/4 teaspoon white pepper
1/4 cup olive oil
2 tablespoons finely chopped green onions
2 tablespoons finely chopped fresh parsley.
1. Scrub the potatoes and drop them into a saucepan of enough boiling salted water to cover. Boil about 30 minutes, just until the potatoes are tender when pierced with a small knife. Drain. As soon as the potatoes are cool enough to handle, peel and cut them into 1/8-inch-thick slices. Place the potatoes in a large shallow serving dish. Pour the wine over the warm slices and toss very gently. Set aside until the potatoes have absorbed the wine.
2. Meanwhile, use a small whisk to beat the vinegar, lemon juice, mustard, salt and pepper in a small bowl until the salt has dissolved. Add the oil by droplets and whisk until thickened. Whisk in the green onions. Pour the dressing over the potatoes and toss gently. Recheck seasoning and adjust if necessary. Sprinkle with the parsley.
Yield: 4 servings.