By Aillinn Brennan • Special to The Current
Before the stifling “dog days” of summer set in, and nature is freshly bloomed, and breezy days are plenty. Why not pack a picnic and go?
The Accoutrements
The obvious foundation of a real sitting on the ground picnic is the blanket. What’s your style; retro chic, gingham, clean stripes, pastoral, floral, paisley or a beautiful PA Dutch quilt? The unfurling of your fabulous blanket in your ideal nature locale will say “let’s celebrate!”
Need a picnic basket? Picnic baskets can be found new and fully loaded with fancy plates and silverware but will cost a pretty penny and might be too posh for your situation. Instead look in your basement, there’s lots of stuff down there you forgot all about. No luck down there, keep your eyes peeled for one at a garage sale or thrift shop. Be open and creative with what your basket may be. How about up-cycling a vintage suitcase? Real plates, glasses, silverware and cloth napkins are a must. After all you are entertaining. If you don’t have a few pretty small plates to pack, both miss matched and sets of plates, utensils and glassware can be found really cheap in thrift stores. The mix and match look will bring a quirky elegance to your spread.
What’s To Eat In That Basket?
Think finger food. Things that are easy to grab, so that the silverware and serving utensils needed are at a minimum. A layered sandwich on a loaf of Italian bread can be pre-made, pre-sliced, and tooth picked for easy sharing. Grab a loaf of Italian bread and scoop out the inside and brush with olive oil and the fillings are endless. Garden fresh tomatoes, basil and mozzarella is pretty classic. Add salami, spinach and pesto to take it one step further. Tip! Wrap the sandwich firmly in plastic and chill for one hour in the fridge before slicing.
The classic picnic delight, deviled eggs are another very appreciated and easy to make finger food. Garnish your eggs with crispy bacon crumbles and fresh picked garden chives. We all know everything is better with bacon.
A savory pie, such as an empanada is going to be a hit. Use store-bought pie crust and a bowl to measure and cut three circles per crust. Cook up your favorite taco filling. Spoon your filling in the center of the crust, top with cheese and simply fold the crust over and press the edges together with a fork. Brush with egg and bake. You are ready to take! Fried chicken is always going to be appreciated BUT you gotta know what you’re doing to make it. Shhhhhh…. go ahead and cheat. In Jim Thorpe, Krispy Crunchy Chicken makes true to its name, fantastic fried chicken. Or take a sneaky stroll down the frozen section at Jim Thorpe Market and you’ll find options. Suddenly your friends are calling you Colonel! And for something “no muss no fuss” sweet just whip up a batch of brownies. Everybody loves them.
Wash It Down
Nothing says picnic like a 1-quart Mason Jar. Easy to make home-made Lime Aid will be a pucker, perfect sipper. In a pot combine 1 cup fresh lime juice (about 7 limes), 1 cup of sugar and the zest from three of the limes. Simmer very gently until the sugar is completely dissolved. Remove from heat, add a handful of fresh picked mint and let it cool and refrigerate. When you’re ready to pack up your picnic. Strain the mixture into your quart jar and fill to top with chilled lemon lime seltzer. Serve on ice and garnish with thin sliced cucumber.
And of course, consider spiking it! Vodka is the tried-and-true safe bet. For a little more boozy flavorful cocktail, try gin. It’s herby, it’s piney, it’s floral. A true spirit of the woods. And if that all sounds like too much work. There are a mind boggling amount of portable single serve alcoholic beverages out there from canned wines, single serve Brut in mini Champagne bottles, to vodka and tequila spiked seltzers. Check our local beer & liquor stores. You will find your flavor.
Go forth to the Glenn, march to the Mauch Chunk Lake, or stroll the Switchback to find your perfect picnic spot. There is no better way to bring friends together than sharing a delicious meal together on a blanket in beautiful Jim Thorpe!
Aillinn Brennan is proprietor of The Marion Hose Bar located at 16 W. Broadway in Jim Thorpe.
For more visit www.marionhosebar.com
Add Comment