It’s officially summer — time to enjoy the long, sunny days in the open air! A picnic is the perfect way to share a meal with friends and family, and if you bring a portable grill along, you won’t have to resort to ready-made sandwiches. Stock your picnic basket, grab your grill, and head to your favorite park or meadow for a summer feast.
Lemonade is the ultimate warm-weather thirst quencher. Serve our lively version, which is lightened up with sparkling water and fresh mint. To start the meal, snack on nectarine and apricot skewers, which become perfectly caramelized from the heat of the grill. If you like, you can also toss the grilled fruit into a salad with greens and goat cheese.
Burgers are always welcome at an outdoor gathering. Try these turkey burgers — they’ll satisfy your meat craving without weighing you down. Bring an orzo salad to enjoy on the side, filled with seasonal favorites like heirloom tomatoes and bell peppers.
- Before you go: Make the base for the lemonade (add sparkling water just before serving). Assemble the fruit skewers and the turkey burger patties. Make the orzo salad.
- Just before serving: Grill the fruit and burgers. Finish lemonade with sparkling water.
When planning a picnic, look for a shady location, unless you don’t mind a bit of sun. Set up your grill on a concrete or rocky surface; avoid putting it on the grass, where it could start a fire. Be sure to let your fire die down and make sure the grill has cooled before you pack it up.
End the meal with an assortment of your favorite cheeses. Choose varieties with a harder rind, which will travel well, and wrap them in waxed paper or plastic wrap. Serve on a wooden board with bread, crackers, fresh fruit or nuts.
Bring along mason jars, durable plates and napkins to avoid accumulating too much trash. Baskets and woven trays are great for bringing food on the go and serving a group.
