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Celebrate National Picnic Month with a hamper full of tasty outdoor eating

July 23, 2003 1:07 am

T'S FINALLY WARM. The sun has reappeared. All of creation is growing, blooming, warbling, buzzing. And on top of that, it's National Picnic Month!

This is the season to take the family for an outing in a park or at a beach, to dine elegantly while enjoying a concert under the stars, to share a loaf of bread and a jug of wine under a bough with someone you love.

Mr. Webster defines "picnic" as "a pleasure outing at which a meal is eaten outdoors." That leaves the field wide open, as far as menus are concerned. The only constraints are food safety (see related story inside) and packability. Things that leak, crumble or squoosh are best left at home.

A white linen tablecloth spread on the grass, crystal wine goblets, a silver candelabra to burn the citronella candles--who says one can't dine elegantly outdoors? OK, so maybe the silver candelabra is a tiny bit over the top, but hey, we're talking ambience here.

How about a cucumber-avocado soup with tomato salsa for starters? Then cold marinated salmon accompanied by a summery bread salad with asparagus. Add a crisp white wine, and you're set to wow all your neighbors at Wolf Trap--or Maury Stadium. Chocolate almond macaroons provide the finishing touch.

You say your offspring wouldn't even look at green soup, much less cold fish or asparagus? OK. Tried and true may be the best maxim for younger palates.

There's always peanut butter and jelly, of course, and, if a grill's available, hot dogs are a sure crowd pleaser.

But how about taking that kid standard, bologna and cheese, and rolling it up in a flour tortilla, then slicing it? Bite-sizing food makes it more fun.

Tuna, chicken, egg and ham salads also work well with the wrap treatment. But be sure to keep all those animal proteins well-chilled to avoid spoilage. Same with the deviled eggs.

Still working on the bite-size principal, cut fresh fruit into chunks that little hands can pop into little mouths with no fuss. Or make apple sandwiches--apple slices held together with a spread made from sweetened cream cheese, dried apricots, golden raisins and chopped walnuts.

Baby carrots furnish some vitamins, and oatmeal chocolate-chunk cookies will satisfy the sweet tooth.

Family get-togethers are great occasions for an outdoor meal. Every family has its own favorite fried chicken, potato salad and baked beans recipes, and woe to the person who varies the tradition!

But how about an Asian-flavored coleslaw with rice vinegar and ginger as a substitute for the same-old coleslaw? Or a grilled chicken pan bagnat, a Provençal sandwich made from a loaf of bread split and drizzled with olive oil or vinaigrette dressing before being filled with other ingredients, as an alternative to a hoagie? And blueberry upside down cake makes a great change from ho-hum watermelon and brownies.

OK, there's somebody you've been dying to spend some time alone with. You've heard that the way to a man's heart is through his stomach (or alternatively, that anything chocolate will melt a woman's heart). You've got the book of poetry and the jug of wine. You've even located the secluded bower that would be perfect for a romantic tryst. What do you put in the hamper?

Roast beef sandwiches with sweet and sour red onions and blue cheese sounds hearty enough to appeal to a hungry man (see stomach, above). A spinach salad with pears, gorgonzola and walnuts adequately covers the veggie and fruit part of the food pyramid.

Then how about strawberries dipped in chocolate and mocha brownies for dessert? She'll love you. Promise.

There is no way in the world that you have hours to spend in the kitchen baking, chopping, marinating, assembling. Besides, you're not the plan-ahead sort; you like spontaneity. Fear not, there can be a picnic in your future this very evening, thanks to today's supermarket deli counters.

Start with a rotisserie chicken and add sides from the deli or the salad bar. There are varied offerings that include but are not limited to pasta salads, black bean salad, sesame noodles, Greek wheat berry salad and artichoke and asparagus salad.

There are veggie trays with two kinds of dip, cooked shrimp, crab cakes, quiche, all kinds of cheese and breads.

Pick up a Styrofoam cooler and plenty of ice to keep everything fresh, and you're on your way. Bon appetit!

There are more picnic ideas and delicious recipes at epicurious.com, marthastewart.com and familycircle.com, or get a picnic book from the Central Rappahannock Regional Library's collection.