*and this includes "EVERYTHING" : recipes, foods, drinks, containers, amounts, weights, planning, organization, preparation, transportation, cleaning up . . . yup, absolutely EVERYTHING !*

*(yeah, it's a long & heavy list but just print up everything & adapt it to your needs) ... :)

"What’s the weather going to be like ? Did you check ? What ?! Please check again !" We’re having a PICNIC no matter what, guys & gals (even if it kills us) !

That’s the first thought and the in-between thoughts and the last thought you’ll have if you’re the one organizing the picnic and if you plan it 1 week ahead or just 1-2 days ahead (because it’s often a weekend and/or vacation thing and/or you’re the only one on vacation and you will be cooking for others who still are working, poor devils), You’ll probably spend more time checking up on the exact hour-by-hour precise weather forecasts at the exact spot where you’ll be picnicking even more than the actual cooking (if you plan it in uncertain weather periods) !

It’s going to be OK because after all, it’s just a picnic.

JUST A PICNIC ?! yeah, right.

“Just a picnic” means a “no preparations, last-minute, just tossing edible stuff in a bag and/or cooler and thinking it’s all great” approach (which it is, in a somewhat-kind of-perhaps way) because you’re eating outside, maybe even lying down on real grass and maybe unbuttoning your shirt (what, you want to take it off ?)

Listen carefully … I’ve spent years scrounging and searching for thin and lightweight metal dishware for the home & for beyond the hearth (and I don’t mean a huge picnic basket which is harder to carry) : knapsack picnic sets, several thermoses, flatware (smaller versions than regular home stuff), additional plates, blankets, napkins, freezer packs and of course, the ultimate and my favorite (according to me) INDIAN TIFFIN food canisters with handles !!! (no this post is not being sponsored, none of my posts ever are, I’m an independent kind-of-guy).

INDIAN TIFFIN food storage canisters & carrying cases fromvarious shops & websites (just google it) … and other stuff that I use from IKEA like the GRUNDTAL storage items and stuff you can get in camping stores, flea markets, Indian shops, dollar stores, etc..

LOVE

THEM

ALL.

Not only do I have different shapes & sizes & formats, but I can actually use the different stackable elements of the Indian TIFFIN sets to actually cook in and freeze in (so dishware and storageware becomes cookware and freezeware). What does this mean ? It means that whatever I decide to make from scratch will fit perfectly inside these stackable food carrying cases. All neat & pretty (yeah, I know it's crazy-talk, but it’s more like an efficient & organized camping approach to picnics).

And NO, NO, NOOOO my comrades ! No paper, no cardboard, nor plastic nor bamboo. No glass either (except for the bottles containing what we’ll be drinking). It will all be lightweight metal. Nothing to throw away, not even the napkins, they’re made of cloth and easy to wash.

Obviously, you can stay simple and just fill up the containers with different stuff that you cut up and slice OR you can decide to make everything from scratch (if you’re on vacation and have the courage) and have everything naturally fit inside all nice & pretty …

THIS

WHAT

DID . . . but what will you do ?!

You can, but even before the actual recipe-tackling, it will require some tools/stuff/equipment so maybe you won’t be ready for this type of preparation and/or organization for the next upcoming picnic but how about the next one after that (it’s all a question of purchasing opportunities and delivery dates, but all the items are easy to find in Indian shops, websites, camping stores, etc and they’re not expensive either).

I’m showing you exactly what I used & included (as in the pictures) but you can click on the links in the ingredients & instructions sections for more DETAILS (just divide the recipe quantities by 1/2, 1/3 or 1/4) or just make your own preferred stuff. It’s all about how you want to organize it and these are just my suggestions.

I’ve also recorded the weights of every item just to have an idea of how much I’m actually carrying (before & after). My rule of thumb is to have enough for everyone and to head back home completely empty (a lighter return trip) … and then to wash everything up !

Yup, that’s how it goes my darlings, “no pain no gain” . . . but a PICNIC is not only about sharing FOOD & DRINK but also HAPPINESS. So if you’re a control-freak like I am, just do it all yourself and just ask your friends to bring the icy-cold drinks (which will make it lighter for you to carry because the total weight of absolutely everything is 20-22 kg but if your friends bring all the drinks it’ll be 33% or 6-7 kg lighter for you, thus only 14 kg for you).

I hope you have a NICE PICNICKY SUMMER . . . ;)

p.s.: I’m anxiously waiting to receive a small portable barbecue set, because the BARBECUE PICNIC is another story and at a whole other level or step above !

a mediterranean picnic ? - how to organize it with style & precision !*

04.08.2017

6 ingredients

PLACE SETTINGS for 6 (average total weight = 2,5 kg)

6 medium plates (19 cm x 1 cm) : 660 grams
6 small forks (12-15 cm long) : 85 -110 grams
6 small knives (13-15 cm long) : 120-160 grams
6 small spoons (11-13 cm long) : 90-100 grams
6 small skewers/picks (10 cm long) : 40 grams
6 small tumblers (10 cm x 7 cm) : 300 grams
6 low & wide cups (4 cm x 8 cm) : 450 grams
6 coffee/tea cups (6 cm x 7 cm) : 240 grams
6 small bowels (6 cm x 3 cm) : 180 grams
6 mini ice cream dessert containers (7 cm x 5 cm) : 240 grams
6 cloth napkins (35 cm x 35 cm) : 60 grams

USEFUL EXTRAS & UTENSILS (average total weight = 1,65 kg)

1 cocktail shaker (20 cm x 9 cm) to store all the cutlery : 200 grams
1 serrated knife (20 cm) : 25 grams
1 cutting board (16 x 13 x 2 cm) : 260 grams
1 mini salt shaker (5 cm) : 25 grams
1 mini pepper shaker (5 cm) : 25 grams
1 pair of tongs (18 cm long) : 25 grams
1 folding bottle opener/corkscrew : 50 grams
1 small sugar container : 30 grams
1 small milk container : 50 grams
6 wet wipes : 30 grams
1 nylon garbage bag : 30 grams
6 after-dinner mints or mint leaves (yeah, classy) : 15 grams
1 ashtray with lid (you never know, so be a good host) : 35 grams
1 blanket (150 cm x 150 cm, double-sided fleece on one side, rubber/plastic on the other side) : 850 grams

FREEZER / ICE PACKS (if necessary – average total weight = 1 kg / 1,5 kg)

1 large flat ice pack (32 cm x 25 cm x 1 cm) : 825 grams
2 small ice packs (17cm x 9 cm x 4 cm) / 500 grams each/1000 grams

TRANSPORTATION (average weight = 1,5 kg / 2 kg)

2 empty carrying bags with straps (40 cm x 30 cm x 15 cm) : 1 kg each or
1 carrying crate (45 cm x 25 cm x 30 cm / with handle & attached onto a bicycle rack with 2 straps) : 1,5 kg

FOODS & DRINKS

COLD DRINKS (average total weight = 6 kg / 6,75 kg)

what you’ll need :

3 types of COLD DRINKS (with alcohol, alcohol–free and neutral / preferably sparkling and ice-cold)
2 x 750 ml bottles of light alcohol (champagne or rosé wine or sparkling wine or beer or cider)
750 ml sparkling water
750 ml mineral water
3 x 250 ml bottles of alcohol-free soft drinks.

what I did :

1 x 750 ml bottle of CHAMPAGNE
1 x 750 ml bottle of sparkling white wine
1 x 750 ml bottle of sparkling water
3 x 100 ml bottles of sparkling (alcohol-free) bitters refreshers
3 x 250 ml sweet soft drinks

storage / empty glass bottle weights :

750 ml bottle : 550 grams
500 ml bottle : 400 grams
250 ml bottle : 150 grams
100 ml bottle : 100 grams

STARTERS / APPETIZERS (average total weight = 0,6 kg)

what you’ll need :

100 grams (3/4 cup) cheese (in cubes, slivers and/or spheres)
100 grams (1/2 cup) cold cuts (thinly sliced cured sausages and or meats)
100 grams (3/4 cup) pickled vegetables (sweet, sour and/or spicy)

what I did :

100 grams LEBNAH CHEESE BALLS marinated in olive oil and herbs
100 grams CURED DUCK BREAST SLICES (see recipe here)
100 grams PICKLED VEGETABLES

storage :

3 IKEA GRUNDTAL flat containers (9 cm x 3,5 cm) : 300 grams

DIPS (average total weight = 0,675 kg)

what you’ll need :

125 grams (1/2 cup) of a cheese or yogurt-based dip
125 grams (1/2 cup) of a vegetable-based dip
125 grams (1/2 cup) of bean-based or other types

what I did :

125 grams KTIPITI ROASTED RED PEPPER & FETA CHEESE DIP (see recipe here)
125 grams SMOKY ROASTED EGGPLANT & BLACK OLIVE DIP (see recipe here)
125 grams SCALLION CHICKPEA HUMMUS DIP (see recipe here)

storage :

3 IKEA GRUNDTAL flat containers (9 cm x 3,5 cm) : 300 grams

MAIN COURSES (average total weight = 1,65 kg):

what you’ll need :

3 SAVORY PIES / TARTS / PIZZAS / TORTILLAS / QUICHES weighing 250 grams each (pre-sliced in 6)

what I did :

3 SAVORY PIES (all 3 using 1 unbaked pita bread base each - see my PITA FLATBREAD recipe here) :

250 grams (18 cm) PISSALADIERE ONION, OLIVE & ANCHOVY PIE (see recipe here)
250 grams (18 cm) TOMATO RICCOTA PIE (see recipe here)
250 grams (18 cm) FRIED MUSHROOM & BACON & EGGY BECHAMEL PIE (no recipe to show)

BREAD ACCOMPANIMENT (average total weight = 0,8 kg) :

what you’ll need :

250 grams sliced country BREAD (see bread recipes here)
250 grams (12) BREADSTICKS (see recipe here)

what I did :

500 grams (5 x 18 cm each) baked PITA BREADS sliced in 6 (see recipe here)

storage (3 compartments for 3 savory pies & 1 compartment for breads) :

1 large family-sized INDIAN TIFFIN measuring 19 cm x 22 cm with 4 compartments) : 1,2 kg (weight with out the 6 plates, otherwise 1,9 kg)

SALAD ACCOMPANIMENT (average total weight = 0,675 kg)

what you’ll need :

250 grams salad greens
75 ml salad dressing

what I did :

250 grams (12) SALAD SPEARS (using 3 baby lettuces) with 75 ml SALAD DRESSING (see recipe here)

storage :

1 INDIAN TIFFIN spice canister without the smaller containers inside (17 cm x 7 cm /medium model) : 300 grams

DESSERTS (average total weight = 2,6 kg)

what you’ll need :

360 grams (6 x ¼ cup) frozen or cool & creamy desserts
180 grams (6) cookies / biscotti, etc.
360 grams (2 cups) diced/sliced/sphered fruits

what I did :

480 grams (6 x 80 grams - 1/3 cup) OLYMPIAN FLEUR DE LAIT ICE CREAM (see recipe here)
180 grams (6 x 30 grams) AMYGDALOTA almond cookies (see recipe here)
300 grams (6 x 50 grams – 1/3 cup) chopped fruits (melons with lime juice & mint/basil leaves)

storage :

for ice cream / creamy desserts :

1 INDIAN TIFFIN spice canister (17 cm x 9 cm larger model to hold the 6-7 individual frozen ice cream containers) : 600 grams + 500 grams added crushed ice/ice block

for cookies & fruits :

1 small individual INDIAN TIFFIN (3 tiers / 2 for the cookies + 1 for the chopped fruit) : 550 grams

HOT DRINKS (average total weight = 1,05 kg)

what you’ll need & what I did :

500 ml hot espresso and/or 500 ml hot tea (in a thermos)
25 grams - 2 tbsp sugar
60 ml - 4 tbsp – milk

storage :

1 thermos (28 cm x 7 cm / empty) : 400 grams
1 small sugar container : 20 grams
1 small milk container : 40 grams

TOTAL WEIGHT of ABSOLUTELY EVERYTHING = 20-22 KG ... WOW, that’s good to know !

instructions

before you start :

check the weather forecasts, pick a date, invite the guests & get confirmations
wash & prepare all containers, dishware, flatware, etc. that will be needed according to the number of picnickers

3 days before :

re-check the weather forecast
put the freezer packs and the frozen dessert /ice cream /sorbet churner in the freezer

2 days before :

re-check the weather forecast
prepare the cool creamy and/or churned frozen desserts (ice cream/sorbet), transfer to smaller containers, freeze, then transfer the smaller containers to a larger container, fill with crushed ice and ice water and freeze again until solid (this is your frozen dessert freezer pack)
prepare the baked cookies (or cakes) and store in air-tight containers

1 day before :

re-check the weather forecast
prepare the 3 dips and transfer to air-tight containers in the refrigerator
prepare the toppings for the savory pies and the pita bread bases (5 for the dips + 3 for the savory pie bases) and assemble/bake all savory pies using smaller baking dishes that will fit inside your food containers, leave at room temperature until the next day

the night before :

re-check the weather forecast
slice the appetizers (cheeses, cold cuts, cured meats) and choose the pickled vegetables and store in airtight containers in the refrigerator

on the morning of the picnic day :

check the weather forecast again ?! (too late now, so just go for it)
place all cold drinks in the freezer for 2-3 hours before going to the picnic
prepare the salad, prepare the dressing, keep both separate and store in the refrigerator
slice/prepare the fruits, toss with lime/lemon juice and fresh herbs and store in air-tight containers

1 hour before going to the picnic :

brew the hot espresso/coffee, transfer to the thermos, prepare the sugar and/or milk in small containers
transfer all room-temperature food items to their containers, keep the room-temperature items together

30 minutes before going to the picnic :

transfer cooler items together in 1 carrying bag (or on one side of a large carrying container)

15 minutes before :

remove the freezer packs, icy-cold drinks and frozen desserts from the freezer
transfer icy-cold/frozen items to a carrying bag (or on the other side of a large carrying container)
go through your checklist (just in case you forgot something)
go set up the picnic together with the guests (it’s more fun that way)

picnic time :

enjoy yourselves & have a great meal

after picnicking (3 hours later) :

clean up, place all the dirty items in the nylon reusable garbage bag, pack up, do a double-check of the picnic area, go home, wash everything up later (after a shower and a nap) … you did good !
congratulate yourself, BRAVO . . . :)

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a mediterranean picnic ? - how to organize it with style & precision !*

6

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a mediterranean picnic ? - how to organize it with style & precision !*

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