Secret Agent Josephine

You know what I always forget to add to my meal plan for the week? A picnic date! We are always looking for new restaurants to try and new recipes to cook but a picnic outside in summer can be magical and a perfect way to mix up the routine.

With a hectic schedule I always think packing a picnic would take too much work or be too inconvenient but I tried it this week and it was so easy! It’s really not a big deal and the downtime benefits you receive when you’re sitting outside unplugged and enjoying nature is invaluable to your  inner spirit. There really is something about getting outdoors that is good for the soul.

A picnic can be as elaborate and gourmet as you make it. You can stop at your local farmer’s market for the freshest ingredients, swing through a grocery deli or even hit up your favorite restaurant for take out. (I’ve heard even fast food is better when enjoyed outside on a picnic basket but don’t tell anyone else I said that.)

I stopped by my local market for some fresh, crispy on the outside, chewy on the inside, seedy sourdough bread, a perfectly ripe avocado, some plump summer vine-ripened tomatoes, a few cucumbers and sliceable buffalo mozzarella cheese for my sandwiches.

I cut my bread up into a bunch of slices and spread them out on my big wooden cutting board. Then I made my sandwiches with my fresh ingredients. I added some leftovers from the refrigerator and some sweet sandwiches too with fresh fruit, hazelnut spread, peanut butter and even a few chocolate chips! I was amazed how many variations I could make with just a few ingredients. I could have made this a do-it-yourself sandwich-making bar but I decided to just make up a bunch of sandwiches and let my date choose what he liked once we were there.

Then I wrapped up my sandwiches in parchment paper, tied them with baker’s twine and labeled each one. Personally I love cute little tied up sandwiches. They are like kitten whiskers and brown paper packages tied up with string!

After everything was bundled up I found my vintage picnic basket that I scored at an estate sale a few years ago and got ready to pack it all in.

I whipped up a quick pasta salad to go with our sandwiches and added a container of pistachio brittle and a few nuts for desert. You can’t forget desert when you picnic because you will definitely want a reason to sit a while longer and savor your picnic.

Then I packed it all in my basket with plates, silverware, my favorite tablecloth and a big bottle of fizzy blood orangeade.

I also packed my favorite plastic wine goblets for glasses. These are great because they look pretty but you don’t have to worry about toting around real glass.

When the day started to cool we walked to our favorite park, pread out our delicious meal under a shady tree and voila! dinner alfresco. It was such a nice break from the regular routine I think we might have to make this a weekly thing!