When the sun is shining, there is nothing people love more than a picnic. Whether a romantic occasion with your partner, or a fun lunch with your colleagues, a picnic offers many benefits. It is a great way to embrace the outdoors, enjoy healthy food, stay active, and boost your mood. 

However, what is a picnic without a picnic basket? Wicker baskets are a perfect choice, and there are numerous reasons why this is the case. Firstly, there is the appearance of wicker. There is little denying that this weaving approach is a beautiful one, and the traditional and rustic style is perfectly suited to that of a picnic basket. Of course, there are unique designs available today, catering to all requirements. 

The other reason why wicker picnic baskets are so great is because of their strength and durability. They will last for many years to come, especially if you choose a premium material, such as willow. So, find a good retailer with a great range of picnic baskets, and make sure they offer good discounts too. You can get some delicious plant-based foods to go inside from the likes of No Evil Foods ^[1] too.

Wicker Picnic Baskets

Wicker is something you are no doubt familiar with, but you may be confused regarding what wicker actually is. If you look online, there are plenty of questions such as ‘what is the difference between wicker and rattan ^[2]’ and ‘should I buy wicker or willow baskets?’ To avoid any confusion, read on.

The terms ‘rattan’ and ‘wicker’, as well as ‘willow’ and ‘wicker’, are often confused. Due to their popularity, they are interchanged by error. The truth is that willow and rattan are both materials, whereas wicker is not. Therefore, rattan and willow can both be types of wicker. This is because wicker is the name of the weaving process, as opposed to being the name of any single material. This is something that comes as a shock to a lot of people, even those that have purchased wicker picnic ^[3] baskets before. Because of this, wicker furniture and wicker baskets can be made from a whole host of materials, including both manmade and natural materials. The material simply needs to be durable and pliable enough to be woven into furniture. There is little denying, however, that rattan and willow especially are two of the most popular materials used in wicker. 

Interestingly, wicker has been used for many, many years now, and its origins can be traced back to ancient Egypt. Back then, wealthy pharaohs had many wicker items, and middle-class families had a small number of pieces. Wicker was made from swamp grasses and reed in ancient Egypt.

Summer is simply not complete without a picnic, is it? So to put together the perfect picnic, you need to start with a good picnic basket. Use the advice and suggestions that we have provided above to find a picnic basket that you can rely on for more summers to come.

It’s that time of year where we pack a picnic basket and head off to the park or the beach for a family meal. Sometimes it’s all packed in the basket and ready to eat, other times it includes a small grill and some needs to be cooked food. But it always includes a big blanket, under a tree or in the sun on the sand – it includes your date (a more romantic picnic) or it includes your family and friends.

The idea of a picnic was born back in the early 1700s in France. It referred to eating in a restaurant but bringing your own wine. But it surely has evolved! And now it’s that quintessential outdoor meal that exudes relaxation and communion with the outdoors.

Below are some great recipes to make and pack into the basket. Oh – and if you have an idea to share, the party will be open for two weeks! Share with us your favorite picnic food.

 

© Copyright 2020 The Lazy Gastronome

Here are some things that are perfect to use for this recipe!

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June 18 – It’s International Picnic day;

a perfect summer day to spread out a blanket and share the universe with nature. Clearly a holiday created by an inhabitant of the Northern Hemisphere, but still a day that can be fun even if you spread a blanket on the livingroom floor! And since it’s a weekday this year, why not pack your lunch and have a picnic for one in the park on your lunch break? During Victorian times, the picnic was a way to escape the formalities of every day life and relax a little. And it is for this reason the picnic fair of today is portable, easy to eat, and completely unrestrictive.

Here are some ideas to pack in your picnic basket so you can go out and commune with the outdoors.

First you need a basket. Something large enough to pack the food, utensils, paper plates, cups and napkins, a BIG blanket to sit on, and games and/or books.

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And now, on to the menu.

Lets start with a beverage. Iced tea is portable and easy to make. Put it together the night before and chill off a drink cooler. When you pack it, pour it into the cooler, add some ice and pack the paper cups!

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You’re going to need a cooler larger enough to hold the food and a block of ice. Keep anything with meat or eggs positioned on or next to the block of ice in the cooler. Vegetables, cheeses, or vinegar based items can sit closer to the sides of the cooler.

The main dish is easiest with a cold sandwich – like a muffaletta or a New Jersey sloppy joe ^[10].  Make it up ahead and cut it into single portions. Wrap it well and pack it. I like to pack all my items in re-usable containers.

^[10]

Side dishes are next. You can put vegetable sticks in mason jars with ranch in the bottom. Ready to eat! Other great sides are a summer fresh Pasta Salad ^[11] and Caprese Skewers ^[12]. Pickled eggs ^[13] pack well and are great with a handful of pretzel sticks.

^[11]

 

 

 

 

 

 

^[13]

Ah. Now that your tummy is full and you’re relaxed, how about dessert? What else would you have on a June day? Fresh strawberries – sweet and delicious.

So go on and pack your basket. It’s time for a picnic!

 

© Copyright 2019 The Lazy Gastronome

Summer just calls out for pasta salad.  My mom made the version with the little ditalini pasta and lots of mayonnaise, eggs, and cheddar cheese!  And I love pasta salads – of any kind, but I was looking for something a little lighter – a little fresher – something that said summer with a lot less fat.

Then came this super simple salad with fresh ingredients from your garden or the farmer’s market.  It refreshes your mouth and satisfies your belly and has summer all over it!

Here’s what you need:

• 4 cups cooked gemelli pasta (about ½ pound dry)
• ¾ cup of quartered, sliced cucumber (I peeled it, but you can leave the skin on, just wash it well)
• 1 cup cherry or grape tomatoes cut in half lengthwise
• ¾ cup crumbled feta (I used fat free)
• ½ cup black olives sliced thick (about 4 slices to an olive)

Dressing:

• ¼ cup white wine vinegar  (a citrus infused vinegar would be delicious as well)
• 2 Tablespoons mayonnaise (I used light)
• 1 Tablespoon olive oil
• 1 large clove of garlic, crushed (or more – we like a lot!)
• ½ teaspoon fresh ground black pepper
• ½ teaspoon sea salt
• 1 ½ Tablespoon chopped, fresh basil

Here’s how to Do it:

Put all those delicious  ingredients into a large bowl, then toss it all together.

Put all the dressing ingredients in a small bowl blend them together using a wire whisk.  Toss with the salad.

Cover and refrigerate at least overnight – 24 hours is better.

Serves 8

As with any salad that uses a mayonnaise based dressing, it’s best to keep it on ice or put it back in the refrigerator after everyone has been served.

Enjoy the rest of summer!

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© Copyright 2017 The Lazy Gastronome

Below are some of the items we used to create this recipe!

Disclosure: The items below are affiliate links through Amazon.com. If you purchase any of these products through the links, I receive a small commission at no cost to you. Thanks for your support!

Caprese salad is a simple salad made of sliced, fresh mozzarella, sliced tomatoes, basil, salt and olive oil.  It is supposed to resemble the Italian flag!  Well here is a great picnic version of a classic salad!

What you need:

• 24 Cherry tomatoes
• 12 Fresh Mozzarella cheese balls (see note)
• 24 basil leave
• 12 short wooden skewers

Balsamic Reduction –

• 1 cup balsamic vinegar
• 1 Tablespoon sugar
• 1 Tablespoon culinary lavender **

** Culinary lavender is simply the flower that has been grown without any chemicals and is safe to eat.

NOTE:  If you cannot find the balls (like I could not), purchase a large blocks (about 12 oz.) and make your own with a melon ball tool.  Save the scraps to chop and put in pasta!

How to Do it:

Make the reduction first.  Place all the ingredients in a sauce pan and bring to a boil.  Watch it though, it will boil over fast!!  As soon as it begins to boil, remove from heat and place on a low burner.  Simmer until it has reduced by about half.  This takes about 45 minutes.

Remove from the heat and cool.  Put into a container that has a narrow hole (like a mustard or ketchup bottle) and chill.

Put the skewers together by placing on a tomato, basil, cheese, basil, tomato.

Repeat for all 12 sticks.  Chill.

When ready to serve, place on a plate and drizzle the reduction over the top – Serve!

Make 12 skewers

 

 

© Copyright 2017 The Lazy Gastronome