Editorial
Front Page - Friday, July 10, 2009
Kay's Cooking Corner
Kay Bona
I remember one summer, my sister and I used to meet at a park for a picnic lunch during our busy workweek. We would pack-up foods such as a shrimp salad and fruits and would just sit in the park people watching.
Picnicking is one of the most worthwhile American pastimes a family can do, and other than enjoying the weather, it also breaks us out of our usual mealtime routine.
And you know as well as I do that eating something as ho-hum as a PB&J sandwich and a bag of chips can be more exciting and fun when you are in a peaceful, scenic outdoor setting and the kids are
playing.
Sandwiches, fried chicken and salads make always make good picnic foods because they offer variety and taste good cold. However, a picnic can be more than just a brown bag lunch. After all, this is a relaxing event.
For sandwiches, treat yourself to bakery-fresh breads, quality meats and your favorite cheeses. Add a garden salad or fruits, and your meal will be extraordinary!
Safety Tips
Food safety is a very important concern in warm weather and extra precautions should be taken to maintain quality. Some foods should not be left unrefrigerated for any length of time such as raw meats and eggs. Be careful handling these items on a picnic and make sure they are covered and on ice continuously, until cooked and ready to eat.
At one time, prepared mayonnaise gained the reputation of being a dangerous picnic food but its high acid content actually slows any bacterial growth. Low-acid foods such as potatoes, chicken and ham are much more susceptible to bacterial growth.
However, for a relaxed, worry-free picnic, keep perishable foods in a well-insulated cooler and pack with plenty of ice or frozen gel packs. Cold drinks help keep foods cool too.
If you’re going to be traveling a while and don’t want to hassle with a cooler, consider buying the perishable items closer to your destination. Once you are there, place the cooler in the shade whenever possible and keep the lid on at all times.
Become a Pro Picnicker
Make every single picnic experience picture-perfect by planning. Instead of sitting on the dirt fighting ants, and soggy paper plates, stretch out and relax on a soft blanket with a pillow or two.
The right equipment will make any picnic a luxuriously delicious and relaxing experience. Just pack up a picnic basket, a blanket or tablecloth, a set of durable plates, a corkscrew (if you carry wine), scissors, a knife and a can opener.
A basket is a real handy way of keeping all your food and utensils together, as well as adding a sense of flair to the occasion, but if you don’t have one, any large basket or canvas tote bag will work. You can even use a sturdy box with handles and let the kids decorate it or cover it with contact paper.
Now just get into the groove and go. Just remember
— this is supposed to be fun! Forget about work, the house, and the yard, and just have fun!
Bacon Tomato Cups
8 slices bacon
1 tomato, chopped
1/2 onion, chopped
3 ounces shredded Swiss cheese
1/2 cup mayonnaise
1 teaspoon dried basil
1 can flaky-layer biscuits
Preheat oven to 375. Lightly grease mini-muffin pan. In skillet, cook bacon until brown. Drain on paper towel. Crumble bacon into a medium bowl, and mix with tomato, onion, Swiss cheese, mayonnaise and basil.
Separate biscuits into halves horizontally. Place each half into cups of the prepared mini muffin pan. Fill each biscuit half with the bacon mixture. Bake for 10-12 minutes or until golden brown.
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