A 21st-century picnic basket

June 22, 2007

By MARTY MEITUS
Scripps Howard News Service
Monday, June 18, 2007

When Little Red Riding Hood trotted off to Grandma's house, the wolf might have skipped the granny-burger if Red's picnic basket had been just a little more exciting. Rumor has it that Mama Hood stopped at the local takeout -- the one at Forest Avenue and Gingerbread Lane -- loaded up Little Red with some crispy fried chicken strips and sent her on her way. But picnics in the 21st century don't have to be grab-and-go affairs. Thanks to cool gadgets and gear, and modern approaches to totable fare, a picnic has become a gourmet affair to tame even the biggest and baddest of wolves. (Note: Prices of items may vary.)

Oval Picnic Hamper

With its cool geometric shape, this modern take on a wicker basket is actually woven of lampakanai, from the seagrass family, and has collapsible rattan handles. $39.95, Crate & Barrel.

4-in-1 BBQ Multi-Tool

Trading on the Swiss Army knife concept, this has a knife, meat fork and spatula that swing out, and an instant-read thermometer that fits snugly on top. $19.95, Brookstone.

Two-Pack Wine Chiller

These have an insulated metallic finish on the inside that retains the cold for hours. $25, Brookstone.

Picnic Wine Glass

Cut-glass wine glasses at a picnic? Yes, but only if they look the part -- these are acrylic. $1.95, Crate & Barrel.

Steady Stick Wine Bottle/Wine Glass Holders

A blanket isn't exactly the best place to steady a wine glass and wine bottle, but these wire stakes will minimize the risk of spills. $9.95 to $11.95, Crate & Barrel. Also, Target.com.

Monstera Leaf Placemats

Just because it's a picnic doesn't mean you can't dress up the table. Six placemats. $29.70, Z Gallerie.

Aladdin Heat and Go, With Spoon

Microwave in this container and food will stay hot for hours. The shallow compartment has two sides, so you can tote the mac-and-cheese and the peas along for the kids. $9.95, Target.

Sausalito Striped Picnic Blanket

Protect your flanks with this picnic blanket that folds into a pouch. It's laminated underneath, so if the grass is wet, it's got you covered. $32.95, Crate & Barrel.

Table in a Bag

What's a picnic without a table? This one rolls up into a pouch even though it's made of wood slats and is 17 inches high. How do they do it? $39.95, Crate & Barrel.

Picnic at Ascot Deluxe Backpack With Blanket

For those who go off on a picnic with a knapsack on their back, an all-in-one backback with service for four. $105, REI.

Shell Food Cover

Keep out the bugs with these food screens decorated with seashells, $8.95, and mini-seashell candles to match, $12.95, Z Gallerie.

Mini-Grill in Cooler Bag

Taking fire and ice to a new level, this mini-grill fits neatly into the soft insulated bag that doubles as a cooler so you can enjoy a brewski with your dog. $29.95, Crate & Barrel.

Citronella Mini-Torches

These 10-inch mini-candles in Crayola colors are sweet enough to tame the most ornery bugs. $5.95 for four, Crate & Barrel.

Neoprene Totes by Built NY

One Bottle, $15, Three Bottle, $30 or Six-Pack, $20, soft totes to haul your beverages. Brookstone.

Multi-Function Convertible Rolling Cooler/Picnic Table

Remember Transformers? This insulated cooler is more than meets the eye with fold-down sides that open into a picnic table and places to sit. $59.99, Target.com only.

GSI Vortex Blender

No plug required as you hand-crank your favorite smoothies and margaritas. $69.95, REI.

Light My Fire SL3 Knife

Did you remember the matches? How about something to cut open the bag of charcoal? Got you covered. $36.95, REI.

Snow Peak Compact Chopsticks

For the picnicker who has everything -- portable chopsticks to make picnicking a global affair. $24.95, REI.

RECIPES

GRILLED SALMON

Makes 2 servings

2 (4-ounce) salmon fillets

1/4 cup plum sauce

1/4 cup teriyaki sauce

1/4 cup sweet chile sauce

Grill salmon on both sides.

Mix all other ingredients together.

Brush mixture onto salmon and place in oven at 350 degrees just to glaze.

HONEY-MUSTARD BBQ RIBS

Makes 2 servings

2 racks pork back ribs

Sauce:

1 cup Cattlemen's barbecue sauce

2 tablespoons Dijon mustard

2 tablespoons honey

Dash Durkee Hot Sauce

Grill ribs over indirect heat in a covered grill or smoker for 1-1/2 to 2 hours. Turn ribs once, about halfway through. Mix sauce. About 20 minutes before ribs are done, baste heavily with sauce.

Note: To cook in oven, cook ribs in a shallow pan 45 minutes at 350 degrees. Drain. Coat ribs with sauce; turn every 30 minutes, until done (about 75 more minutes). (Tent loosely with foil if ribs start to burn.)

SKIN-ON POTATO SALAD

Serves 8

12 to 15 small red potatoes

3/4 to 1 cup mayonnaise

2 tablespoons Dijon mustard

1/4 cup red bell pepper, diced

1 celery stalk, diced

1/4 cup red onion, diced

Wash potatoes and rub with olive oil, salt and pepper.

Bake at 350 degrees until soft, 45 minutes to an hour. Cool down slightly.

Meanwhile, stir together mayonnaise and mustard and add diced vegetables.

Squeeze potatoes to break skins or smash potatoes and stir with other ingredients.

BLACK BEAN AND CORN SALAD

Serves 8

1 (15-ounce) can black beans

1 cup corn kernels

1/4 cup red bell pepper, diced

1/4 cup green bell pepper, diced

1 green onion, diced

1/4 bunch cilantro, chopped

1 tablespoon chile powder

1 tablespoon cumin

2 tablespoons lime juice

Salt and pepper

Drain and rinse black beans.

Mix all ingredients together. Heat to warm. Add salt and pepper and adjust seasonings. Can be served warm or cool.

FIRECRACKER COLESLAW

Serves 8

1 head green cabbage, shredded

1/4 head red cabbage, shredded

1 carrot, julienned

1 cup mayonnaise

1/4 cup red wine vinegar

2 tablespoons honey

Dash poppy seeds

Dash celery seed

Dash Tabasco sauce

Mix cabbages and carrot.

Mix all other ingredients together with a wire whip. Pour over cabbage mix and stir.

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A little planning will make you less antsy about throwing a picnic

Sure, you can shop at L.L. Bean, Williams-Sonoma or Sam's Club and pick out a strapped, zippered, everything-in-its-place picnic basket fully loaded with dishes, flatware, tablecloth, napkins and anything else the manufacturer thinks you will need on a picnic. Unfortunately, said manufacturer has no idea of your taste or of your situation. Since you'd have to add to it anyway, better to customize your own.

For years, I kept a loaded picnic basket in the trunk of my Mazda 626LX. At the drop of a baguette, I would make a pit stop for carryout at the grocery and head for the park.

Here's how to make one. Keep an eye out for a sturdy basket with good solid handles. A lid is optional. But don't get stuck on the choice of conveyance. A canvas tote bag works, and a cardboard box will, too. A well-shaken and aired-out suitcase could be fun.

Now raid your drawers and cabinets to gather stuff for a picnic for four. (Even if it's usually just you and your honey picnicking, you never know when you'll pick up a tagalong or two.) Choose plasticware rather than china or glass, because you don't want any breakage. Remember, too, you may have to haul the basket, as well as food, a good distance to get to a picnic spot, and weight will be a factor. Consider disposable dishes and flatware, too.

Lay out everything on the dining-room table and visualize a picnic in your head. Got everything? When you think you have it together, start packing the basket in reverse, dishes first and blanket or beach towel last.

If you aren't the type to pre-pack a basket, you might make a checklist. Label a document on your computer "Picnic List." Then key in the items below. When you feel a picnic mood coming on, print out the page and use it for a checklist. Yes, it's a bit compulsive, but if you've ever looked forward to a sip of wine under an oak tree and forgotten the corkscrew -- well, you get the idea.

The Picnic List

Napkins, cloth or paper

Plates, both large and medium

Flatware, knives, forks, spoons

Serving utensils -- three should do it

Mugs for soup or cold drinks

Thermos for soup or cold drinks

Stemless wine glasses -- small tumblers are good

Corkscrew or bottle/can opener

Paring knife

Cutting board

Coarse salt in a jar and pepper mill, or salt and pepper shakers

Damp wipes, soft cloths or paper towels for washing up

Little flower vase for wildflowers

Plastic bags for leftovers

Garbage bag

Blanket, bedspread, beach towel or quilt -- cotton is best and can go in the wash; never wool, which can be too itchy

Insect repellent -- don't leave home without it

On occasion, I've also included bird and flower field guides, a flashlight and a deck of cards. Cowboy bandanas are fun. Pick them up at a dollar store and use them for napkins, trail markers or a do-rag. And I usually find room for peanut butter, a jar of Nutella and wee packs of crackers with a plastic knife because you never know.

I also keep a medium-size foam cooler in the trunk at all times. It keeps cold food cold, whether we're bringing it from home or have just made a stop at the grocery store or farmers market.

When you get back home, wash the dishes, freshen what needs to be freshened and repack the basket, all ready for the next time.

(Marlene Parrish can be reached at mparrish@post-gazette.com.)

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