Today is a hot one, but guys, have you seen the forecast for this weekend? We plan to spend every minute outside in that gorgeous 75-degree weather – with a picnic of course. Here, we packed up 5 picnic baskets perfect for anyone from vegans to kiddos to that special someone.
1. Spark some summer lovin’ with this Date Night Basket full of light (and garlic-free) fare. Start with this fresh, summery Shaved Zucchini Salad, then share a few Goat Cheese Balls, dates stuffed with goat cheese and wrapped in prosciutto. Keep your entree simple with local charcuterie, cheeses and good bread, then surprise your date with a bouquet of these adorable Pie Pops.
2. Who says vegans can’t enjoy some traditional American comfort food? Dig into this Vegan-approved Americana Basket starting with an egg salad using tofu and vegan mayonnaise. Get saucy (and spicy) with big bowls of cauliflower poppers and dip, and finish it all off with chocolatey – vegan – brownies.
3. If you’re feeling inspired, impress someone with these Gourmet Picnic dishes that are easier than you think. Start with a decidedly unleafy Bittersweet Chocolate, Pistachio and Fig Salad, then scoop up bowls of chilled Cantaloupe Soup garnished with prosciutto. This homemade Banh Mi project requires advanced prep, but they will blow your friends away. And for the grand finale: a very Berry Frangipane Tart, perfectly portable and delicious.
4. Feeling the heat? This (Almost) No-Cook Basket will come together in no time — no stove required. Serve up a crunchy, flavorful bowl of Daikon, Apple and Edamame Slaw, then assemble Open-faced Tomato Sandwiches onsite (OK, fine, you have to use your toaster before you leave. It’s worth it.) and hunting down a mangosteen turns this Fruit Salad into a gourmet, no-cook treat.
5. Odds are you kid won’t love cantaloupe soup or flip for figs, but this Kid-Friendly Basket is sure to please youngsters –without resorting to PBJs and Goldfish crackers. Let your little ones help stuff these homemade Pizza Rolls with their favorite fillings. You need greens somewhere, so keep it fresh and easy with the Simplest Seasonal Salad Ever (if they turn their noses up at arugula, swap it for good ol’ romaine). Finish the meal with a classic: homemade Chocolate Sandwich Cookies that are so much better than that prepacked childhood standby.
-Cauliflower poppers photo by Carmen Troesser, banh mi photo by Michelle Volansky, tomato sandwich photo by Greg Rannells, pizza rolls photo by Kristi Schiffman
This article appears in September 2014.