Punch up Picnic Time with an International Menu

Summer is the perfect time to enjoy outdoor recreation and commune with nature. No matter which coast you reside on — the Atlantic or the Pacific — or somewhere in the middle, near a lake or a pond, a shoreline picnic is a perfect retreat. Picnics are a great way to reconnect with family and friends after months of winter hibernation. Lovers are synonymous with picnics, especially when a proposal or anniversary is cause for celebration.

Packing for a picnic depends upon a few simple factors: the people, the situation, and the location. Given these parameters, it’s easy to begin building the perfect picnic basket. And don’t even think of packing those tired sandwiches and potato chips; it’s time to go international with your picnic fare. Chef Director Linda Carucci at The International Culinary School at The Art Institute of California – San Francisco and Baking and Pastry Chef Peter Babcock of The International Culinary School at The Art Institute of Fort Lauderdale have some creative and global ways to pack for your next picnic.

“Picnics were a huge event in my family while we were growing up,” says Carucci. Her Italian family would pack a picnic for the entire family and take it to the beach. “My grandmother would pack everything except the kitchen table. It would take us longer to unpack the car than to eat the meal!”

Carucci doesn’t think picnics need to be as much work as they were when she was growing up, so she shares some tips on how to create a hassle-free and delicious outdoor feast. To start, she suggests centering the meal around a pre-cooked rotisserie chicken, which has been cut up in advance. For some fun and easy side dishes, Carucci says to take store-bought breadsticks and wrap them in prosciutto or coppa. Another great appetizer is mozzarella basil skewers with cherry or grape tomatoes.

You don’t have to always eat these goodies cold, either. A Coleman grill stove is small enough to pack easily and set up quickly. This grill stove packs plenty of BTU so you could even cook on site if you had some dish that required it.

“This makes a beautiful presentation and is so simple to do. Just stack slices of fresh buffalo mozzarella, fragrant basil, and whole tomatoes onto a skewer. Drizzle with a small amount of olive oil and some Maldon sea salt and you’re good to go,” says Carucci.

“My picnics always begin with arranging the blanket and making my guests comfortable,” Babcock says. “I always pack flowers in the basket to bring out as a special surprise between the plates and the silverware.”

Babcock suggests placing bottled water in the freezer the night before to act as chill packs in the basket, then to offer the icy drinking water to guests. He also proposes putting a nice bottle of wine in the freezer several hours before leaving to ensure a nice, cool glass while resting under a shady oak tree. Pack hand cleaners and towels for small emergencies and if the picnic is planned for late afternoon, pack a battery operated candle to set the mood after the sun settles lazily into the horizon.

Next, bring out a small cutting board and begin to fill it with an assortment of cheese, crackers, tropical fruit and berries. And don’t forget dessert. Babcock suggests Key lime tarts with ginger cookies, and dark chocolate and strawberries.

“A picnic is a work of art; no two are ever the same. Imagination, thoughtfulness and creativity lead to a delightful and successful meal,” Babcock continues.

Although we would all love to be able to make the perfect picnic basket, some of us might be in a crunch for time and unable to put together a shore-side feast out of our own kitchens. Not to worry, says Carucci. “When time is tight or the idea of having a picnic comes up last minute, a sure bet is to place a to-go order from your favorite dim sum restaurant.”

“Order up your favorite dumplings, steamed buns, congee, and some sweet egg custard tarts for dessert and you’re good to go. All you need are chopsticks and a tiny bowl for soy sauce!”

Whatever type of picnic basket you create, you are sure to have a wonderful beach-side dining experience with your family and friends surrounding you. There’s no better way to take in a beautiful summer day with your loved ones than with great food and a warm breeze blowing through your hair.

To see what else is “cooking” at The Art Institutes schools, check out www.artinstitutes.edu. The Art Institutes (www.artinstitutes.edu) is a system of over 40 education institutions located throughout North America, providing an important source of design, media arts, fashion and culinary arts professionals.