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The Perfect Picnic
Strategies to Make Your Picnic a Success
By Meenakshi Agarwal
- A good supply of disposable dinnerware, cutlery and napkins
- A few bags to be used for trash
- Enough water and other beverages like fruit juices to avoid dehydration
- Sun protection including hats and sunscreen lotion
- Insect repellent
- Plastic table cloths or a large picnic blanket to lay on the ground
- Foil or plastic wrap to store away leftover food
- A camera
When carrying food to an outdoor location, always make sure you keep hygiene and food safety in mind. Pack meat, veggies and bread in separate containers and bags so as not to let them touch each other, and always be sure to pack raw meat away from any cooked food. To keep food fresh, try and maintain the required temperature by filling the icebox with enough ice.
Once you've taken care of all the preliminary planning, and have your guest list confirmed, it is now time to make sure the picnic runs as smoothly as planned. And what better way to enjoy a picnic than to share good food with great company. Here are a few picnic menu ideas that are sure to be a hit with your guests.
Dips: Chips and dips are always a fun, quick way to get the party started. Instead of going for the regular old-fashioned favorites, try something different and a bit more exotic. Hummus with pita chips is widely gaining popularity for its wonderful mix of flavors and texture. The crispness of the pita combined with the creaminess of the hummus will surely have you and your friends begging for more. These days you can easily find a variety of different kinds of hummus at the local grocery store. Flavors like roasted garlic, red pepper and mint are sure to please a large crowd.