Picnic with friends?

Question

Me and my friends are having a picnic. What should I bring?

Answer 1

Most people in San Francisco like to eat light and healthy.  Also, you need to be careful about planning foods that won't spoil in the sun.  So in both cases, avoid dairy, eggs, salads or sandwiches with mayonnaise, and be very careful with seafood or meats if you cannot keep them cold and covered.

Easy things that pack and keep well and are usually popular:  

1.  Hummous and/or olive tapenade with a variety of sliced veggies (sliced cucumber, red and yellow bell pepper, zucchini sticks, celery) for dipping.

2.  Good cheeses with chunks of fresh-baked artisan whole wheat bread.  My favorite for picnics is a big wedge of Pt. Reyes Blue cheese with an Acme Bread Co walnut levain loaf.

3.  Good fresh organic fruit.  Berries and cherries are in season and delicious right now, and the apricots are starting to come in.

4.  Healthy home-baked banana or zucchini bread or muffins.

5.  Salads made with quinoa or wheatberries and/or lentils or black beans, with fresh organic veggies and herbs, in a healthy olive-oil based dressing.

6.   A little bit of something sinfully chocolate.

7.  A pitcher of really good homemade fresh fruit sangria, or the ingredients to make fresh fruit bellinis or mimosas?

Enjoy!

Answer 2

baloney sandwiches  on wonder bread

Answer 3

a light alcoholic beverage - like lemonade and vodka. Or pita chips and guacamole. or crackers and cheese.

Answer 4

Freesbies, kites, balls, etc to keep the kids busy while the food is laid out.

Blankets & tablecloths, with some large clips, or C-clamps to hold the tablecloths to the table.  Blankets for the benches or to lie on the ground.  Plates (the fresbies make good paper plate holders.)  Eating utensils, (cutting knives, forks spoons, chop sticks) hand sanitizer, washrags, towels, water, spices, Food and drinks.  Some snack foods like celery and carrots cut up and in cold water, wasabi coated peas, cherry or grape tomatoes,

Bananas, oranges, watermelon, strawberries, apples etc.  Some meats and cheeses, condiments and breads.

Answer 5

It depends on what type of menu you and your friends decide on.  The following are some suggestions:

1. Garden Fresh Tomatoes with Fresh Mozzerella cheese and   fresh basil.  Lightly dressed with balsamic vinegar and olive oil with fresh grated pepper and a pit of sea salt

2. Fried chicken (warm or cold)

3.  German Potato salad (warm salad with swet/sour type dressing)

4.  3 Bean salad

5.  Fresh fruit salad

6.  Lemonade or Limeade (don't do alcohol since someone has to do the driving)

Alternatively you could make sandwiches with a really good ham or beef, cheese, lettuce, fresh onion, tomato and a really crispy roll.  Chips, pickles and iced tea.