We packed ourselves a picnic. 
A very simple meal where I knew family could just be together, and the last minute stresses of getting a meal on the table would be eliminated. 
I admit, it was much more composing than cooking. 
Cutting, mixing, placing. Nothing ever hit the fire.
The feta onion dip was delicious and incredibly simple. Although the recipe suggested that it be served only with radishes, I thought it needed pita chips, and the were very good slathered in the dip.
The sandwiches were also so simple, but each ingredient was amazingly fresh and combined made a wonderful sandwich. My only qualm was there wasn’t enough condiment on the bread. The recipe didn’t call for the pesto or balsamic, but it definately needed it, and probably twice as much as I put on. 
The bread was fresh and wonderful, and came from the local Italian Deli. 
The sandwich resembled a typical caprese, but there were other spring veggies added, and some amazing red leaf lettuce.
And then came the cocktails. Loosely inspired by the ones in the book we juiced our own melon and cucumber, and muddled mint. Added some lime, and then illegally shook them up in the park. Shhh.
The berries were simple and sweet.
I had been wanting to try a local bakery, Chocolatine for a long time and I thought this a perfect opportunity. I went and picked out a handful of amazing french pastries, and we toted them along to the park. 
And then they were dropped by some mysterious bird, or sous chef, but the truth will never be known. Nevertheless they tasted the same, and the opera cake was tremendous, followed by the macroons. 
And lastly a shout out to Christine for this amazing marinade she graced me with as a birthday gift. It made a perfect bath for our friday night chicken, and the lavender was surprising and delicious. I need me some more Binks, and some more friends like Christine. XO.
Feta Onion Dip
(adapted from Movable Feast)
- 1 8oz block of CREAM CHEESE
- 4 oz of FETA CHEESE, crumbled
- 4 SUN DRIED TOMATOES, packed in oil, chopped
- 2 tablespoons RED ONION, chopped
- 2 tablespoons CHIVES, chopped
- 2 tablespoons BASIL, chopped
- Sliced RADISHES for dipping
- PITA CHIPS for dipping
Soften the cream cheese on the counter for 15 minutes. In a bowl use a fork and mash the crumbled feta into the cream cheese. You may have to add a splash of cream to soften the mixture. Stir in the chopped sun dried tomatoes. Scoop mixture into a bowl and top with chopped chives, red onion, and basil. Serve with slices of radishes and pita chips at room temperature.
Baguette Sandwich
(adapted from Movable Feast)
- sliced CHERRY TOMATOES
- sliced RADISHES
- whole BASIL LEAVES
- sliced FRESH MOZZARELLA CHEESE
- BALSAMIC VINEGAR
- OLIVE OIL
- RED LEAF LETTUCE
- BAGUETTE (purchase the day of)
- store bought or homemade PESTO
- 8 brown paper bags
Slice all of the baguettes open and spread each piece balsamic vinegar, and pesto. In each baguette place 1 red leaf lettuce, slices of cherry tomatoes, slices of radishes, slices of mozzarella, and top with whole basil leaves. Wrap each sandwich in a brown paper bag and tie with a string. For a special effect put each persons name on a tag and attach to the string.
Sweet Mixed Berries
(adapted from Moveable feast)
- 1 containers organic strawberries
- 1 container organic blueberries
- 1 container organic raspberries
- 1/8 cup of sugar
- chopped MINT
- 4 small plastic cups
- toothpicks for eating berries
Mix all of the berries in a bowl with the sugar and mint. Let set for 20 minutes to get the juices flowing. To transport pour all the berries into a lidded plastic container and put in your cooler bag. At the picnic, give each person a bag wrapped sandwich and a cup of berries with a toothpick for eating.
Melon Vodka Cocktail
- (inspired by Movable Feast)
- 6 mint leaves
- 2 oz VODKA
- 1/2 oz Cucumber Juice
- 1 oz Fresh Honeydew Juice
- Squeeze of Lime Juice
- 1 oz Sprite
Muddle mint leaves in the bottom of a cocktail shaker. Pour Vodka, Cucumber Juice, Lime Juice, and Melon Juice with ice in a shaker. Shake vigorously. Strain into glass, and pour sprite over top.