Food just tastes better outside, doesn’t it? So why not plan a picnic? Don’t wait until the weekend either. This easy, make-ahead menu and check list will have you out the door after work in plenty of time to get  to Concerts on the Square, The Wilson Center Gerlach Outdoor Theatre, or the park around the corner to enjoy a delicious meal under the stars.

Picnic Menu

For a segment on NBC15 Madison, we tested out the menu below. If the reaction of the staff at the station after the shoot and our staff back at the store is any indication, your friends and family will gooble this up.

• Pasta Salad with Spicy Peanut Sauce and Chicken: Make this flavorful salad the night before and pack in to go containers.
• Cheese Platter with crackers & French bread (I think it may be a picnic rule that you have to have French bread because it looks so good sticking out of a picnic basket. We did kabobs made with our Farm Basil and grape tomatoes.
• Chin Drippin’ Fruit with Mascarpone White Chocolate Dip: This dip is light as air and is an excellent complement to fruit like Bing cherries, strawberries, blueberries, peaches and plums.
• Brennan’s Cupcakes
• Wine
  • Saint Laurent Syrah Rose- Rose has gotten such a bad rap. This dry, fruity wine is refreshing and nice completment to the cheeses and spiceness of the  salad.
  • Italia Prosecco- Why not right? Light, bubbly and perfect to toast to summer!
  • Tarkine Forest Pinot Noir- If you must go red, this easy-drinking Pinot is a great choice for summer.
• Soda/Water

During welcome week of my freshman year in college, we had to take a  seminar about packing your parachute  I can’t tell you what exactly I learned, but I do feel like I have packing picnic basket down pat, so it must have paid off.

Picnic Essentials

• Napkins
• Plates
• Silverware
• Serving Utensils
• Cups and Wine Glasses
• Bottle opener/Corkscrew- very sad to be at your picnic ready to open your wine and release you have forgotten your corkscrew.
• Pairing knife
• Cutting board
• Condiments
• Ice/Chillers
• Wipes and Cloths for cleaning up
• Garbage bag

Finally… here are my top three picnic tips.

• Freeze your drinks the night before (not your wine, of course). Your drinks stay cold and help keep your food chilled.
• If you’re driving, transport your cooler in an air-conditioned car, not the truck.
• Have a great time!

Happy Picnic season!