This summer, rethink the way you set out that spread. When a trip to the park, beach, or outdoor concert venue beckons, use these strategies to create a picnic that’s equal parts ease and efficiency. Remember to always keep a blanket in the car—oilcloth ones are resistant to wet grass, or first lay down a drop cloth.
Flavor meat with herbs rather than wet sauces. Below, the pulled pork was infused with an Italian-style herb-spice paste rather than barbecue sauce.
For sandwiches, choose sturdy bread, such as crusty ciabatta rolls.
In lieu of messy coleslaw, bring sliced fennel.
Buy an assortment of antipasti, such as olives, jarred artichokes, pepperoncini, and chunks of Parmesan cheese, all of which can be speared with toothpicks.
Premix a batch of cocktails: In a large mason jar, premix 48 ounces lager, 24 ounces ginger beer, 4 ounces Campari, and ⅔ cup fresh lemon juice. Chill for up to an hour in a cooler. Bring plenty of seltzer water for a nonalcoholic beverage.
Cook
pick and freeze blueberries
The fruit is in season April through September, but now is the time to head to a farm for blueberry picking. The superfood spoils quickly, so eat what you can, then make jam (page 223) and freeze the rest: Freeze in a single layer on a rimmed baking sheet until firm (two hours); then transfer to labeled-and-dated freezer bags to carry you through the off-season.
IN-SEASON PICKS
Cherries Sweet cherries are great eaten out of hand. Smaller, sour cherries make tasty pies. For both, choose shiny, vibrant fruits that are firm but not hard and have no bruises. Once you get them home, eat or cook with cherries within about four days; in the meantime, store them in the fridge, in an open container. Rinse before eating or using.
Tomatoes Ripe tomatoes will smell sweet and fruity. Choose plump, shiny ones that are heavy for their size and give slightly when gently pressed. They should be free of soft spots or blemishes, although heirloom tomatoes can be less than perfect-looking. Store at room temperature, away from direct sunlight. Once cut, wrap with plastic and refrigerate.
