"Picnics can run the gamut from a formal affair with chairs and table settings of find china and crystal to a casual, impromptu spread of bread, cheese, and wine," states the introduction to Festive Picnics. Combining the culinary skills of Pamela Sheldon Johns with the decorative, craft-oriented skills of Jennifer Barry, the picnics in this book are not only festive, but out of the ordinary.
Good planning is the key to success the authors state, and they provide a guide that covers the basics of cooking away from home. From food safety when transporting hot foods to the final cleanup, they give an efficient plan that includes a packing list that will free the party planner to enjoy his or her self while on the picnic.
Then the fun begins. Giving suggested menus, complete with recipes and ideas for decorations, they offer themes for a picnic, such as an Outdoor Concert Picnic in the Grass, a Mother's Day Afternoon Tea, a Beach Party, a Fiesta, and, of course, suggestions for the Fourth of July.
Recipes and crafts are integrated through text and photographs. Ideas for picnic containers include homemade bento boxes that have all the flair of the formal Japanese box without the cost of purchase and with a lightness that the Japanese box does not have. There are ideas for decorative take-out boxes - the plain store type, but made exciting with the simple addition of round color-coding labels. For picnic tables, Barry suggests weighting the cloth with shells and gives the method for doing so She includes centerpieces such as a Fourth of July centerpiece, Rice Paper Candle holders, Party Fans to rest on each plate, whether china or paper. Instructions for each craft idea are clear and thorough and none require the skill of artists.
Sheldon-Johns, familiar to readers through books such as Prosciutto
Pancetta Salame: Cooking with
the Cured Meats of Italy and Gelato: Italian Ice Creams, Sorbetti & Granite, is adept at providing recipes that dress up some classic fare as well as recipes that are special-event fare. You will find recipes such as Cold Avocado and Cucumber Soup; Hummus and Pickled Onion Sandwich Wraps; Shrimp and Fennel Salad in Mini Pita Pockets; Grilled Sesame Chicken Sandwiches with Wasabi Mayonnaise and Radish Sprouts. For the sweet tooth there are recipes such as Cheesecake with Brandied Cherries; Black and White Chocolate Brownies; Banana Cake with Blueberry Sauce. Sheldon-Johns has included drinks such as Iced Green Tea Spritzers; Honey-Orange Sun Tea; Lime Cooler Margaritas.
To make you yearn for a picnic, there are color photographs throughout by Joyce Oudkerk Pool.
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