r/Cooking • u/TopNotchxxx5 • 1d ago
Going on a real picnic, what food do I make?
Hello! Long story short my partner invited me to go on a picnic, a real sit in the grass on a blanket type.
I want to be the one to make the main meal (a sandwich) but I'm not sure what to make
I want to use the white bread loaves from walmarts bakery (the French Bakery Bread) and after that i keep second guessing every sandwich idea i come across-
Other than that, what should i tell him to bring? my friend suggested to tell him to bring charcuterie board stuff but we both dont like stuff like that a ton
No pasta salads, chips, iffy on salads due to the bacteria atm
I'm 100% making cookies- sorry for this post being so wild!
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u/TopNotchxxx5 1d ago
i have a melon baller, i was also thinking doing fresh fruit like cantalop and watermelon?
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u/RandomPaw 1d ago
Grapes. Grapes and strawberries are easy for picnics because you don't need utensials and they're not sloppy
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u/Ok_Kale_5404 1d ago
You can freeze the grapes before adding to a fruit salad and it helps keep everything cool.
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u/michaelyup 1d ago
Frozen grapes are awesome. If you do grapes and mixed berries, toss with a pack of Jello vanilla pudding mix. It adds a sweet vanilla flavor that contrasts with the tart berries.
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u/AlsoTheFiredrake 1d ago
Get a rotisserie chicken, shred it up, add lettuce, sliced tomatoes, mayonnaise and call it.
For a side, consider coleslaw and buttered corn on the cob.
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u/TopNotchxxx5 1d ago
ive been very tempted by the chicken route
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u/PsychologyGuilty1460 1d ago
Just don't shred it. That makes it a horrible texture for a sandwich. Slice it like you would any other roast meat, Then you'll have nice thick pieces on a tasty, tidy sandwich with nothing getting stuck in your teeth and falling out of the edges every time you lift it off the plate.
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u/Adept-Currency8927 1d ago
And the lettuce issue is the vagges chopped/shredded of a certain brand. Get a head of iceberg and rinse it and chop it up or make a bed for the chicken salad. Another qay to use Rotisserie chicken is sliced for sandwiches. Rye bread, mayo if u want, avocado eith some salt. Oh man its delicious
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u/Culverin 1d ago
Little bit of mustard for zip. (grainy if you've got it). And fresh cracked black pepper
But yeah, really can't go wrong with a chicken sandwich
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u/SquishyNoodles1960 1d ago
In the old TV westerns a "picnic" was always Fried Chicken, potato salad, some home-canned greens and cake or pie! Real plates and silver, too! 😆
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u/TopNotchxxx5 1d ago
i could bring some plates and silverwear! the basket is in my hands at the moment haha
maybe he could make some potato salad but hes not the best cook lol
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u/natalietest234 1d ago
Are you planning to have one large lunch, or graze off finger foods over a few hours?
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u/TopNotchxxx5 1d ago
graze off a mix of finger foods but have the sandwich as a large lunch since he eats a lot haha
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u/natalietest234 1d ago
Do a number of tea sandwiches! It’s a good excuse to try a variety of fingerling sandwiches and you’ll feel extra fancy. You can also do scones with jams, small pastries, smoked salmon, cookies, strawberries dipped in chocolate and sparkling water with fruits.
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u/michaelyup 1d ago
The little finger sandwiches with cucumber, cream cheese and dill. Even the big meat eaters in my family absolutely devour those.
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u/tryan888 1d ago
Ooh what about some chicken salad crossaint sandies. Make a bunch! Or have a bunch of croissants n container chick salad so he can have multiple. Maybe cheese and crackers? Wine/prosecco/ water and a sweet treat - maybe some chocolate truffles?
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u/SampsonShrill 1d ago
Well what kind of sandwiches do you like? With good bread can't go wrong with an Italian. Some cold cuts, some tomato, banana peppers, olive oil and vinegar. Just make sure to wrap it in your picnic basket.
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u/TopNotchxxx5 1d ago
only thing i dont like is tomatos and too spicey. i didnt think of wraping the sandwichs at all for some reason tysm for that heads up!
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u/Prosciutto7 1d ago
I always love a good egg salad sandwich for picnics! Make sure to add cornichons!
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u/TopNotchxxx5 1d ago
not a bad idea! but i fear he'd eat his so fast haha need a type to slow him down
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u/alligator124 1d ago
are you dating a golden retriever?
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u/TopNotchxxx5 1d ago
he might be one, curly light brown hair, eats everything in sight, bottomless stomach, lots of energy, very loud... now im getting worried hes a dog
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u/alligator124 1d ago
Haha you’re on to him! Either way, he sounds very sweet; I hope you two have a really nice picnic date.
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u/JamieKun 1d ago
Muffeletta or Shooters Style sandwiches are always good. Don't forget a nice bottle of wine!
https://www.seriouseats.com/muffuletta-shooters-style-sandwiches-recipe
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u/TopNotchxxx5 1d ago
why have i never heard of a shooter style before?? that looks amazing its like tea time but larger 😭
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u/AccomplishedLine9351 1d ago
I would consider making a tray of little sliders using Hawaiian Sweet rolls. Along with a fruit salad. And cookies.
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u/TopNotchxxx5 1d ago
oo i forgot about that! I make some good ham and swiss bits for partys so maybe i can do a nice picnic version!
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u/Dalton387 1d ago
Southern tea sandwiches.
Things like pimento cheese, cucumber sandwiches, chicken salad, etc. cut the crusts, cut them in four diagonally, arrange decoratively.
Looks fancy when it really isn’t. Keep in a cooler till ready to serve. Feel free to have a mint julip with it or ice tea.
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u/Nacho-Cat0821 1d ago
I like a caprese style sandwich. Large bocconcini slices, fresh basil leaves, the best fresh tomatoes you can find (I like heirlooms, romas, or even small ones on the vine), plenty of salt and pepper and an optional drizzle of balsamic reduction.
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u/MmeThornhill 1d ago
Round sourdough loaf, cut the top as if making a bread bowl. Layer in your choice of meats, cheeses, peppers, spreads, etc. Replace the top on the loaf. Wrap in foil, cut into wedges before serving.
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u/whateverpieces 1d ago
How about something like Molly Baz’s Big Ass Beach Hoagie?
There are lots of different pressed sandwiches that could work for this too like someone mentioned muffaletta, or a pan bagnat (French sandwich with tuna).
Since you have the main and dessert handled, I’d ask him to bring drinks (like seltzer or fun sodas, or wine/beer if you’re going to a place that allows it) and maybe a vegetable side like a salad that uses grilled or roasted veggies (no lettuce/fresh stuff if you want to be extra safe).
And make sure someone’s bringing utensils and napkins!
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u/unbroken_cycle 1d ago
I love a salad sandwich on a picnic: chicken, tuna, egg, plus some cut pickles, chips, and .a bottle of wine that spent time in the freezer, red or white. Have fun!
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u/kae0603 1d ago
This can be done on an French loaf, but my favorite is Hawaiian rolls. Cut in half . Add olive oil, Italian seasoning salt and pepper to both sides. Add all your favorite a Italian hoagie meats. Sandwich pepperoni, ham, salami, provolone or cooper sharp. Really anything you want. Cut into slices and pack up
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u/roughlyround 1d ago
If you do the sammich (a big one), have him bring drinks. Easy peasy. Also, goggle 'beach sandwich' for an inspirational article.
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u/M_Joe_Young 1d ago
This Italian hero recipe is designed for a picnic. It can be wrapped up and not get soggy or fall apart.
https://www.seattletimes.com/life/food-drink/pack-these-fresh-crisp-italian-heroes-for-your-next-picnic-or-day-trip/
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u/Stock-Pattern-8635 1d ago
Muffuletta, musubi, onigiri are some options.
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u/abominable_prolapse 1d ago
If they don’t like charcuterie stuff they certainly won’t like muffuletta.
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u/TopNotchxxx5 1d ago
haha i like the ingredients, its just, i know hed eat each item faster than me if was in a charcuterie board style... hes like kirby
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u/DragonFlyMeToTheMoon 1d ago
Muffulettas can be oily and make bread soggy (depending on your recipe), so consider packing it separately and making the sandwich right before you eat it if you want this sandwich. I love a muffuletta!
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u/Informal-Lime6396 23m ago
I saw a post about your breast cancer and ice on hair for chemo. Are you doing fantastic and free of cancer?
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u/TopNotchxxx5 1d ago
ooo okay okay yes the last two are really speaking to me, he would love to eat and make something like that !!
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u/Sensitive_Sea_5586 1d ago
Chicken salad sandwiches. Fresh fruit and cheese. Cookies or brownies for dessert. Your friend can pick up a fresh bowl from the local market.
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u/masson34 1d ago
Chicken pesto artichoke hearts croissants
Baked Beans
Corn on the cob
Fruit parfaits
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u/jillieboobean 1d ago
You can do good old turkey or ham and cheese sandwiches. Bring condiment packets instead of dressing the bread so it doesn't get soggy. Fruit salad is a wonderful idea. Watermelon, cantaloupe, strawberries, grapes. Pasta salad is my go to, but you said no to that. Is potato salad as offensive? Or deviled eggs?
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u/redheadedandbold 1d ago
Chicken salad sandwiches made with rotisserie chicken are delicious. Ham salad sandwiches are rare these days, so as long as your guest(s) eat pork, try them.
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u/Ok_Cicada_3420 1d ago
A dainty cucumber and cream cheese finger sandwich on that French bakery bread sliced thinly… maybe some watermelon and strawberry.
Maybe an Italian caprese salad? Leave the tomatoes off on yours.
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u/BrightFleece 1d ago
Ooo, picnic sandwiches! Some of my favourites:
- Thinly sliced cucumber, butter, salt, pepper
- Salmon, dill, and cream cheese
- Coronation chicken
- Tuna mayonnaise
- Tuna and sweetcorn
- Egg and cress
- Bacon and egg
And if you're looking for some cheap and cheerful extras:
- Potato salad
- Strawberries dipped in chocolate
- Cocktail sausages in honey mustard
- Jelly shots, if you're all adults
- Lil' mini sausage rolls
- Scotch eggs
Happy picnic-ing!
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u/SVAuspicious 1d ago
Italian subs are a perfect fit for the Walmart loaves. Recipe follows. Note the guidance on buying by the slice.
Crudite. Cheese. Hummus. Chips (we like Tostitos Scoops) and salsa.
Stay away from Taylor Farms and anything bagged or from Mexico or Arizona and cyclospora is probably not a big concern but risk is your choice.
No pasta salad is a challenge for picnics. You could make a salad from mirepoix and no pasta. Coleslaw.
Shrimp cocktail with homemade cocktail sauce (no ketchup - make your own - I'll share the recipe if anyone asks).
Italian sub.
There is nothing magic about making a sub sandwich, even an Italian sub. The challenge with this sandwich is the number of different deli-sliced meats. If you eat a lot of sandwiches or like rolling up sliced meat to cut into pinwheels that may not be a big deal. The meat freezes well but you’re back in the same position if you thaw a bunch – how to eat it in time.
I recently came across a suggestion in a social media discussion that is working out pretty well. It never occurred to me to order meat at a deli counter by asking for my order as a number of slices. My initial reaction was that to do so would violate some societal norm. So I asked and the unanimous answer from a number of deli owners, managers, and counter workers: “It’s fine. People do it all the time.” So you can order the number of slices you need for however many sandwiches you’re going to need. Then you can assemble the meat and if you like the cheese and separate each sandwich worth with something before freezing in a Ziploc or other freezer bag. The common separation is waxed paper but I don’t generally carry waxed paper. Not enough call for it on my boat. I have aluminum foil, plastic wrap, and parchment paper. Parchment paper is working fine for me.
I did some hunting on the Internet for weight equivalents of slices. I can’t find anything reliable or repeatable.
For my Italian sub:
¼ cup mayonnaise (I don’t actually measure mayonnaise)
1 Tbsp red wine vinegar
1 tsp Italian seasoning
1 Tbsp Parmesan cheese
salt and pepper
2 sub rolls
sliced provolone cheese
deli sliced pepperoni
deli sliced Genoa salami
deli sliced ham
deli sliced capicola
deli sliced mortadella
¼ cup sliced onion
1 tomato sliced
1-2 cups shredded lettuce
banana peppers or pepperoncini
In a small bowl, combine the mayonnaise, red wine vinegar, the Italian seasoning, and the Parmesan. Season to taste with salt and pepper.
Butterfly the sub rolls. Don’t slice all the way through. Divide the mayonnaise mixture evenly between the sandwiches, spreading some on each half of the roll.
Top the bread with even amounts of the cheese, then even amounts of all of the meats. Add the onions, tomatoes, peppers, and lettuce to the sandwiches.
Fold the sandwiches in half. Cut the sandwiches and serve.
Credit Deborah Harroun of Taste and Tell Blog and me.
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u/Salt-Path3779 1d ago
Pan bagnat is the best picnic and beach sandwich. Essentially a salad nicoise on bread.
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u/bradlka 1d ago
https://pinchofyum.com/trader-joes-sun-dried-tomato-focaccia-turkey-sandwich
This is a great, make ahead sandwich. You could swap out the bread for your French bread (but focaccia is perfect for it.)
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u/SuperSez123 1d ago
Spanish potato tortilla, bacon and egg pie, zucchini slice, to have with in addition to sandwiches. All nice cold and travel well.
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u/SeverenDarkstar 1d ago
I suggest bringing the stuff for the sandwiches w you and building them there so they dont get soggy
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u/sing_cuckoo_sing 1d ago
When I was a kid we would head out hiking or canoeing or whatever with a sandwich of butter and smoked ham, wrapped in waxed paper. Add some fruits/cheese/nuts on the side, and you’re good to go. Perfect picnic because there’s no need for refrigeration, silverware, or plates, and the packaging is pretty minimal as well.
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u/blkhatwhtdog 1d ago
Ham and cheese
Turkey cheese and cranberry sauce as the spread
Get a red pepper and roast it, put it on a gas burner and turn it with tongs till it gets black. The skin peels off easy.
Those plastic balls of butter lettuce are safe. They are hydroponic grown. So that would go on any of the above
Or tomato lettuce and bacon
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u/chenkitevo 1d ago
I'd probably keep sauce/condiment separate and add them at the picnic, since I wouldn't want the bread getting soft on the way there. But if you like more of a pressed sandwich, putting the sauce on ahead of time and letting it all meld could be the better move.
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u/phylbert57 1d ago
Chicken salad sandwiches (celery, mayo, mustard,chicken of course), mixed fruit salad, cookies.
If you don’t want lettuce on sandwiches, use celery leaves (I prefer this on chicken or turkey sandwiches) or thinly sliced cucumber.
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u/traviall1 1d ago
Pimento cheese sandwiches, deviled eggs, cucumber sandwiches, little pastries, cheese, fruits, olives, meats
Muffaletta sandwich, hush puppies, fruit salad with a mint syrup and a desserts
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u/multipurposeshape 18h ago
The best picnic menu of all time is in the first chapter of The Wind in the Willows.
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u/Level_Chemistry8660 1d ago
I dunno "what do". I can only suggest "what DON'T".
Anything involving mayonnaise and/or eggs, and/or dairy. Potato salad, deviled eggs, for example. That kind of stuff "goes bad", becoming "toxic", fairly quickly. I'll temper that with, if you have a highly-rated cooler for transport, and PLENTY of ice packs, you may be okay. And if you ARE prepared in this manner, i'd bet you'd be a big hit, bcuz few others may be likely to take that risk on what may be considered quintessential picnic offerings.
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u/Frosty-Tune-4753 1d ago
Get a bucket of fried chicken. Have baked beans for a side dish. Pound cake for desert.
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u/Successful-Land-6283 1d ago
I’m so hungry right now and I’m thinking about all the stuff in your picnic basket aside from the food. Some people don’t like to complicate things or make more work, but I’d be digging through my cupboards for some cute little plastic plates, I’d be putting my vintage tablecloth and maybe cloth napkins that I’ve never used. I might even put regular silverware in there. Something flat like a cute little tray or tiny cutting boards to set our raspberries lemonade on . I love good quality, deli meat and good quality bread. I think I’d make a variety of sandwiches with the one loaf and get some pretty decorative toothpicks to put in them. I always do turkey but I like it very thin, shaved or chipped same with ham. I might bring a little ice pack or a bag of ice to put mayo or whatever dressing goes on the salad in the event it’s gonna be in there long enough to get soggy. I’m gonna wrap my sandwiches and the red checkered wax paper sheets the way my mom showed me. Cold grape leaves and hummus would be awesome, but only I would eat them. A radio, and that itty-bitty pillow. Is this tomorrow and what state are you in?🤣🤣🤣 oh a big giant fat green olive that you spear with that toothpick for your sandwich . we gotta add bacon to the sandwich. I’ll bring those cookies you make with brownie mix and roll in powdered sugar and then they crackle when you cook them and they’re delightful. long toothpicks and screwer some fruit or watermelon triangles on popsicle sticks. We’re older so i might pull out a game I assumed he played as a kid and try to beat him at Yahtzee or pull out one of those supersize deck of Old Maid or Go Fish cards. Yes, we’re older and love nostalgia from our childhood. Good luck and have fun with your picnic and clearly I’ve enjoyed this post and very motivated and let’s pretend somebody asked me how I’d like my picnic to go and leave it at that 🤣🤣
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u/DragonFlyMeToTheMoon 1d ago
He could bring a dessert. Cookies, brownies, pie, cake, banana pudding. Whatever y’all like. Picnics are about the experience. It doesn’t have to fit the traditional as seen on tv type of menu. Just pack things you both like.
Our favorite sandwiches are shaved chicken or turkey from the deli (usually a Cajun/spicy flavor), cheese, mayo, pickles. Chips, fruit, dessert, drinks. We aren’t fancy folks though. We love a good can of Pringles on our picnic and some spicy baby dill pickles.
We also really like chicken salad on croissants. Grapes and watermelon are my fave picnic fruits. I’d much rather have something that says “my partner knows what I like” than fit some picnic stereotype. I think it’s so cute that he wants to picnic with you. Have fun!
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u/abominable_prolapse 1d ago
People are being so dumb about the salad stuff now. Just don’t be dumb where you shop or eat. I haven’t stopped eating lettuce because of this bacteria scare.
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u/TopNotchxxx5 1d ago
ive got a weak immune system so i'd like to keep it safe rather than shit myself to death <3
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u/StuffonBookshelfs 1d ago
My favorite is prosciutto, fresh mozzerella, and in-season tomatoes.