Park Slope Recipes by Tiny New York Kitchen: Victoria's Guide To Packing A Picnic & Serving Food Outdoors

Victoria's Guide To Packing A Picnic & Serving Food Outdoors

Packing A Picnic

*Pack lots of extra drinks in a cooler.  When it’s hot outside picnickers get thirsty.

*Pack sweet treats.  Bring fresh fruit such as berries and melon or cookies instead of ice cream.

*Keep prepared foods in the refrigerator until it is time to pack them up.

*Bring a soccer ball, football, baseball & mitts or a Frisbee.  If you live close to the   park either walk, rollerblade or ride your bikes.

*Pack sunscreen!  Even when it is overcast or if you’re lying in the shade make sure to wear sunscreen.

Serving Food Outdoors

*When taking foods on a picnic make sure to keep perishables in the cooler with
either ice or freezer packs until serving time. Make sure that the food is cold BEFORE it goes into the cooler.

*Pack just the right amount that you and your picnickers are going to eat.  You don’t want to bring leftovers back home.

*If you are driving to your picnic don’t put your cooler and picnic basket in the
hot trunk.  Instead transport your picnic in the air-conditioned car.

*At you picnic site, keep the cooler and picnic basket in the shade.  Open the cooler as little as possible.

*Never leave foods at room temperature for more than 2 hours.  If the temperature outside is over 90°F, perishable foods should be left out no longer than 1 hour.

*If you buy a lot of take-out foods, such as fried chicken or barbecued beef, make
sure to eat the food within 2 hours of pickup. Otherwise, buy the food in advance, refrigerate and reheat just before serving.

*Keep desserts made with whipped cream, cream cheese or dairy products refrigerated until you are ready to serve.  Store any leftovers in a refrigerator or cooler.

*When preparing food outdoors, away from home, make sure to bring a jug of water,soap and paper towels for hand washing.