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Fall is looming, but I'm sure there will be many sunny days to come over the next few weeks.
Don't waste them—get outdoors and do something fun. There's still time for a picnic in the park or to eat outside on your deck.
It is always an excellent idea to keep it simple when taking food to a public spot. You want to keep food safe, enjoy your meal, and tidy up after yourself before leaving.
Remember, you must pack your food with ice on toasty days. A good tip is to freeze (or partially freeze) your drinks. Then, if you pack those in with your food, mainly if you use an insulated bag, they should replace an ice pack. You want to enjoy your food and not worry about food safety.
With so many people using the picnic areas during the sunny months, I always recommend packing food in reusable containers and taking leftovers home with you. That way, the food is less likely to leak and make a mess, and you don’t need to leave any garbage in the park.
You can elevate your experience with real dishes and wine glasses. The latter will make a big difference; you can bring paper plates to keep the load lighter. Now that you can have a glass of wine with your picnic in many Vancouver parks (check your municipal websites for parks that allow alcohol), it changes everything!
As for food options, of course, they are endless, but it’s fun to keep it a bit summery as long as we can. I suggest:
Sandwiches and Snacks – this might be the easiest way to go. Make some sandwiches ahead and take some cut veggies, fruit, and cookies, and you’re set. The sandwiches are as straightforward or as complicated as you like. One of my favourites is tuna salad, roasted peppers and eggplant on Terra's olive bread. Make the French-style sandwich, split a baguette, and slather it with some Fromager d’Affinois and sliced ham. Sandwiches with slices of lovely local tomatoes, bufala mozzarella, and some pesto would be a little more food-safe than worrying about chicken or other meats that might need to be consumed in a hurry.
Cheese/Charcuterie – of course, I’m going to suggest this! A relatively easy and food-safe option, this could make an easy picnic if you have a group and aren’t sure what people like. This way, you can set up a selection of cheeses (maybe nothing too smelly, or you will attract the wasps) and some cured meats that will stay out of the fridge for a couple of hours. Add a crusty baguette and a dip or two, and you can let people help themselves. Maybe a few firm cheeses like Comté or Cave Aged Gruyere, a semi-firm like Tomme de Savoie or Tete Dure, and one soft but not runny cheese. You could use fresh Chevre or an Island Brie from Little Qualicum or Grand Crème, which is very creamy but not a runny triple cream. I would add an artichoke dip, some tapenade, and a few cherry tomatoes for balance.
Salads – are a fun way to go and seem very appealing on a hot summer day. Tomato, onions, and bocconcini, pasta salad with chopped veggies and feta crumbled in with fresh greens, and maybe a bean salad to have some protein without having to fuss with keeping meat cool. Chickpeas, diced peppers, green onions, and a lemony dressing are great on a hot day, so that might round out the meal nicely. Some fresh BC fruit for dessert would go with either.
BBQ—If you are going to go all out and take a hibachi and grill something, then let your imagination run wild. Just remember that raw meat will have to be handled carefully. Burgers with smoky cheddar on top and coleslaw sound like they might be perfect, with a glass of something cold to go with it.
Enjoy the last weeks of beautiful weather, which, if we’re fortunate, might last well into October.
GOW PICNIC PICKS
