Foodie Friday: Picnic Perfect Provisions & Recipes

(Illustration by Virginia Johnson)

Nothing beats a Spring picnic, and it's been awhile since I've been on one. In fact it's been years. I plan to change that up this year. Here's lots of inspiration, from the perfect basket for packing to a delicious Deep Dish Blackberry Peach Pie to try. Shall I meet you in the park?

Lime Fizz

This refreshing recipe can be made two ways, with or without the vodka. I vote for the latter.  Transport this fun fizz in Bormioli Rocco Moresca Swing Bottles. They are so lovely and less than $10 at Sur La Table

My Recipes

Rare Roast Beef Baguettes With Roast Tomato Currant Chutney
Could a sandwich look any more appealing? This sandwich will feed the whole family!

Gourmet Traveller

Roasted Tomato Caprese Panzanella
No other dishes needed on my picnic. What a perfect salad. Bring the balsamic glaze and dress it right before serving.
How Sweet It Is

Prawn Picnic Jars
This super easy 5 star recipe gets elevated from the adorable presentation. Find similar Mason Jars at Food52. Recipe at
Taste AU

Wooden Cutlery
Made of eco-friendly, compostable wood, these disposable utensils can be made to look pretty darn fancy. And no washing!
Container Store

 Fried Chicken and Waffle Sandwich 
I suppose one could use a frozen waffle to really make this easy. I urge you to try, however, the given recipe for "Bacon Cheddar Green Onion Waffles." Oh my!
The Candid Appetite

Rosé-Poached Plums in Parmesan Tuille

"Salty, savory, sweet, herbaceous and tangy all in one bite." What an unique offering for an upscale picnic!
Indie Culinary

Ganache-Stuffed Chocolate-Chip Cookies

In honor of National Chocolate Chip Day, (Thanks "Mr. Shop This," for bringing this date to my attention) I had to include this recipe. I might say it sounds twice as much fun as a regular chocolate chip cookie!

Food and Wine

Picnic Basket
Lightweight and lovely, this ash basket is made by famed Peterboro Basket Company.
Food52

Savory Mushroom Squares & Lemon Curd Trifles

Two recipes from Katie at The Kitchen Door. They both create the most sophisticated picnic! Of course both dishes will taste better with a Cambria Chardonnay. How about Cambria Katherine's Vineyard Chardonnay 2013. Rated 90+ and less than $20. See it at Wine.com 

Cambria Wines Blog

Little Apricot Cakes
Nothing is ever too gooey for me, but picnics are not quite the place for tons of frosting.  These two bite "cakes" are perfect with a little Lime Fizz.
Bon Appetit

Outdoor Picnic Basket

How unique! This unusual piece is now on sale for half price. I just love it.
Pottery Barn

Goat Cheese and Vegetable Quiche

I don't remember when I last ate a sandwich. A really good quiche, however, is something I love, carbs be damned! This recipe is just so pretty and perfectly paired with a salad.

Kitchen Aid Blog

Mediterranean Orzo Pasta Salad

Oh how gorgeous but yet super easy! And why not bring flowers to your picnic? A variety of mason jars can be found at Food52. Or you might love this 6 piece Mason Jar and Wire Carrier at Amazon. The recipe is from

Half Baked Harvest

Kate Spade Grass Is Greener Blanket
Bring a little green wherever you go. How cute is this trompe l'eoil wipeable blanket in a pouch? I think this is the perfect Summertime gift for anyone.
Swoozies

Asparagus Potato Salad
{ Gluten Free }
Every picnic of my childhood included a potato salad. I guarantee you it did not look like this one. Little bits of olive oil, dijon mustard and wine vinegar provide the moisture. YUM!
Popsugar

Deep Dish Blackberry Peach Pie
With the tartness of the berries and the sweetness of the peaches, this is one perfect pie! 
Heather Christo

PieBox
I am a little obsessed with this box. My pie baking Mama would have loved it. It is handcrafted and designed to safely and stylishly transport your pies.
Food52

Stuffed Picnic Loaf

It only takes 15 minutes to prepare this make ahead super sandwich, but it needs to chill for 8 hours. A sandwich lovers dream.

House and Garden UK

Homemade Potato Chips And Avocado Ranch Dip
A picnic without chips is like one without ants.  I say ban the bag of Lays and make your own.  I bet you can't eat just one.
Food For My Family

Homemade Strawberry Lemonade
You can elevate this very easy recipe with Vodka!
My baking Addiction

Boiled Egg, Seared Asparagus & Pickled Onion Sandwich
Is it a sandwich or is it salad? Whatever you call it, it sure is beautiful!
The Kitchn

Creamy Coconut Lemon Squares
Even though chocolate is "my jam," a good lemon bar is hard to resist. Pair it with coconut, and I am a believer! This is one picnic perfect dessert.
Christina Marsigliese

Take The Party Outside
If you entertain outside at a picnic or your patio, you simply must shop this Sale at...
One Kings's Lane

Satay Chicken Rice Paper Rolls

This recipe might be a bit to prepare, but the end result is super impressive. Easy to transport, too!

Taste

~ You May Also Enjoy ~

Foodie Friday: Spring Greens! Salad Recipes & More

Celebrate The Grad With Great Gifts

(Via Swoozies)

Thousands of bright, young things are being handed their diplomas this month. They've done a bang up job and we are all proud. Besides high fives all around, an acknowledgement of their hard work would be appreciated.  Here's a little inspiration.





18 Gifts Every Grad Wants

Rose Gold FRENDS x BaubleBar Layla Headphones
A BaubleBar-inspired edition of embellished headphones with interchangeable caps. A pair of matching earrings add a bit of sparkle. This gift will be music to her ears!
Bauble Bar

iPhone 6 Wallet Case
On the go style.  What a great idea for convenient conversations. Of course, the grad wouldn't mind if you slipped in a little added green .....just saying.
Graphic Image

P.S. If they don't have an iPhone 6, I promise you they would love one. You can find it at Best Buy.

Signed Copy of Lean In: Women, Work, and the Will to Lead
By Facebook's COO Sheryl Sandberg. "Written with both female and male readers in mind, Lean In examines the root causes in the gender gap that exist in business leadership and forces women and men to reexamine their behavior in work and in life." It is a very thoughtful gift, and one that keeps on giving. Proceeds benefit "Tipping Point." See website for details.

IfOnly

Smythson Notebooks
Little luxe leather notebooks offer inspiration from cover to cover. With clever quotes like "Expect The Unexpected," "Catch Me If You Can,""Every Cloud...,"and more, these nifty notebooks are where conversations start and dreams are made.  They come nicely boxed for gifting.
Barneys New York

Elemoon Smart Bracelet
For fashionable, tech-savvy women, this intelligent accessory changes to match every outfit. It seamlessly syncs with her, giving real time alerts of phone calls, texts and monitors her physical activity. Best yet....it can find her phone! Read all about it at
AHALife

Save 20% with Code: AHALIFE20

Ted Baker Opulent Blooms Suitcase
Oh the places she will go with this stylish suitcase! A lightweight and lovely gift.
Nordstrom

Roost Brass Colored Pencil Set

A gift that encourages creativity. And even though my graduation days are behind me, I would love to receive this. So perfect for the future architect, artist or design student.
Zhush

Scratch Off That Bucket List
You can make book that the bucket list of most grads is to see the world seeking adventure. This "scratch off " World map makes sure they don't get lost in their travels.  Each time they visit a country, they scratch that trip off their list. It's really a fab find.
Paper Source

Collar Stays With Leather Box
If he's off to work, it's time to button up! This gift will put him at the head of the "working" class.
Barneys New York

Container Store Gift Card
If a graduate is off to college or nesting into their own apartment, The Company Store will be their new fave place. It has everything to keep a grad organized with style. 
The Container Store

Charbonize Retina Macbook Pro Sleeve
These case serves as a cool contemporary carrier for his documents and laptop.
AHALife

Save 20% with Code: AHALIFE20

Homme Square Cufflinks
A sterling idea for the graduate off to his first serious job. He needs to look the part. Sterling silver.
Mark and Graham

Henri Bendel Backpacks
NOT too cool for school, but certainly city chic. Henri Bendel knows what a girl needs and wants. These bags are awesome, and come in several styles and colors. Perfect for the traveling girl, too. 
Henri Bendel

Save $25 on $150 Orders: Code: MAYSTORE Ends 5/21

Kate Spade New York Monogram Correspondence Cards
She'll cross her T's and dot her i's with flair and Kate's chic contemporary cards. 
Neiman Marcus

Shinola Watches
He might feel he deserves a gold watch, but a black leather one is really more practical and much less flashy. These watches are built in Detroit, to last a lifetime. With several styles to choose from, the globe trotting grad will enjoy the brand new "Rambler" watch which is made for the traveller.
Shinola

Letterpress Monogram Stationery Set 
Utilitarian chic. Modern and simple. Perfect for both genders and a "must have" item for sending thank you notes for gifts and interviews.
Seaborn Press at Etsy

John Hardy Bamboo Bracelet
Every type of girl from grade school on, will appreciate the sleek modern look of this sterling silver slide bracelet. She'll stack it with arm candy of her own.
Saks Fifth Avenue

Mariposa Tray
The gift of optimism. Everyone needs some. 
New York Times Store

Take 15% off. Use code: MAY15

~ You May Also Enjoy ~

The Best Dorm Room Ever