The Perfect Picnic

Is the one you go on... but 78 degree weather, perfect sunshine, no bugs, dry ground and a beautiful spread doesn't hurt, either.

So, to help out on packing the perfect picnic, consider the following spread...cucumber chicken salad sandwiches, strawberry kiwi skewers, carrots and hummus, your favorite chips, and cranberry-white-chocolate-chip cookies.  Pair with Pellegrino, Lorina Lemonade, or a bottle of Sauvignon Blanc, and you've got quite the picnic.  See below for recipes!

Emily's Famous Picnic-Worthy Turkey Sandwiches

Strawberry Kiwi Skewers

Carrots & Homemade Hummus

Cranberry & White Chocolate Chip Cookies

Emily's Famous Picnic-Worthy Turkey Sandwiches 

(her adaptation from Barefoot Contessa)

• Cranberry / Rasin Bread (available at your Publix Bakery)
• Philadelphia Whipped Cream Cheese - Chives & Onions Flavor
• Turkey Breast (deli sliced is fine)
• Fresh Basil
• Salt & Pepper to taste

Lay slices of bread down, and cover with cream cheese.  Layer turkey and basil on top.  Finish off by cutting in half! Add Salt and Pepper to cream cheese before layering, if you want to play around with flavors.  Watercress is also lovely on these sandwiches, or even just plain-old garden variety lettuce.

Strawberry Kiwi Skewers

• 5 fresh kiwis
• 1 pint of strawberries
• Bamboo Skewers

Carefully peel and cut into quarters 5 kiwis.  Hull strawberries.  Combine onto bamboo skewers, alternating kiwi and strawberries.  Why suggested for picnic?  Skewers make your hands less sticky...

Carrots & Homemade Hummus

• Baby Carrots or Carrot Sticks
• 1 Garlic Clove 
• 1 15 oz. can of chickpeas (garbanzo beans); rinsed and drained
• 1/3 cup water
• 1/3 cup tahini
• 1 tablespoon olive oil
• 2 Tablespoons lemon juice
• Salt & Pepper
• Equipment:  Blender or food processor

Assemble food processor.  Combine garlic clove, chickpeas, and water and chop until smooth (1-2 minutes); use spoon in between pulses to ensure everything is well incorporated and evenly smooth.  Add olive oil, tahini and lemon juice to mixture and pulse to mix further.  Taste and add salt and pepper as you see fit. 

Can stay in refrigerator for up to a week, covered.

Cranberry White Chocolate Chip Cookies

• 2 and 1/4 cup all purpose flour
• 1 teaspoon baking soda
• 1 teaspoon salt
• 1 cup butter
• 3/4 cup granulated sugar
• 3/4 cup brown sugar
• 1 teaspoon vanilla extract
• 2 eggs
• 1 and 1/2 cups of white chocolate chips
• 1 and 1/2 cups of Craisins

Preheat oven to 375F.  Beat butter, granulated sugar, brown sugar and vanilla until creamed.  Add in eggs, baking soda and salt and mix.  Add in flour, 1 cup at a time.  Once mixture is fully doughy throughout, add in white chocolate chips and craisins.  

Drop cookies onto cookie sheet and cook for 10 or so minutes at 375, or until lightly browned.  Cool on wire rack.  

Add ons...your favorite chips, your favorite book, your favorite outdoor activity game...

Picnicking in Central Florida?  Try Kraft Azalea Park in Winter Park (as long as it is not Crane roosting season); Central Park in Winter Park, Delaney Park in Orlando, Dartmouth Park in Orlando, or Leu Gardens, Mead Gardens, Lake Eola, or any where else you can spread out a blanket outside!