In Quebec, summer is made for enjoying the sun. Picnics in the park, camping and barbecues in the backyard, any excuse is good to eat outside! If the idea of an outdoor meal with family or friends makes you dream, here are a few tips that will make your next picnic as simple as it is memorable.
The first step to a successful picnic starts well before the big day. You need to think about planning the menu so you can go grocery shopping a few days in advance. Cooking as many homemade meals as possible allows you to save as much as possible. Don’t forget to check the flyer to take advantage of the specials!
For meal ideas, it’s best to choose simple menus that can be easily adapted to everyone’s tastes. In addition, a simple menu will allow you to enjoy the day. The goal is that once you’re at the park, all you have to do is serve! Here are some examples of winning combinations:
Once the menu is chosen, you can identify what can be cooked the day before: homemade vinaigrettes for salads, raw vegetables, fruit, cheese cubes, drinks, etc. When morning comes, all you have to do is put the picnic together!
the essential foods for the perfect picnic
Of course, meal options don’t stop at sandwiches. What makes a picnic delicious is all the little extras!
Homemade iced tea
To make a good iced tea, simply infuse the tea bag by adding sugar to taste and lemon. Then cool everything for a few hours in the fridge and you will only have to fill your thermos bottles before going on a picnic!
Refreshing infusions
It’s hard to make this magical drink simpler. All you have to do is add cucumber slices or lemon juice to cold water to give it a refreshing taste. We’re telling you, this drink will become your new summer habit!
Sparkling drinks
Are you more of a traditional liqueur type? Did you know that you can make homemade soda by combining your favorite fruit juice and sparkling water? It’s simple and it’s super tasty!
No matter which combination you choose, you can add fresh fruit to your cup for guaranteed Instagram results!
a fresh picnic even when it’s hot
Once you’re settled into the park, the big challenge is keeping your meal refrigerated long enough to enjoy it. Here are some items and little tips that can help you do just that!
Keep food in the fridge until the last minute.
To save space while keeping your meal cold, replace the ice packs with small frozen juices. They will have time to defrost during the picnic and will be very refreshing! You can also bring ice lollies which can, in addition to cooling your meal, serve as snacks.
fresh smoothie to take away
Smoothies are a great, healthy and budget-friendly snack option that can be adapted to suit the tastes of the whole family. All you have to do is put frozen fruit, milk, yogurt and a little maple syrup in the blender.
Practical tip: To save time and money, we suggest making a large quantity and freezing the mixture in an ice cube mold. In the morning, you will only have to put a few cubes in a take-out container. By morning recess, your child will have a delicious smoothie ready to drink!
