During the summer, there are so many opportunities to gather outside, even for an aperitif. For a pleasant 5 à 7 at the park, here are some recipes that travel well in a cooler, along with some tips for a successful outing.
Sweet corn dip
In the summer, corn is at its peak around August. If it’s not yet quite in season, you can replace it with frozen corn, or one cup of corn kernels per cob. This dip is easily transported in an airtight dish. And don’t forget the bag of corn chips!
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Crispy chopped salad with tahini dressing
This salad is perfect for a picnic. It uses vegetables that don’t absorb the dressing too much and won’t get soaked, like lettuce would. Carrots, celery, broccoli and cucumbers keep their crunchy texture and don’t get soggy, even after some time in the cooler.
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Marinated Eggplant
These pickled eggplants are the perfect condiment to keep on hand all summer. You can even make preserves and keep them in the pantry for almost a year. Practise! They go perfectly with cold cuts and can also be used to top pizza.
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Cocktail olives with manchego cheese
Simple snacks are best for cocktail hour. To change up that bag of chips, olives mixed with fresh herbs, white wine vinegar, cubes of Manchego cheese and olive oil are perfect. Just let the ingredients marinate for an hour in the fridge before going to the park.
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Roasted yellow pepper gazpacho
On a hot summer day, there’s nothing better than a cold soup to help cool off—like a good gazpacho. This one is made of tomatoes, roasted yellow peppers and chicken broth. Once cold, simply keep it in the cooler and serve it in small bowls or glasses.
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The Safe Cooler
With summer heat and sun, it’s harder to keep food fresh. Here are some tips to help you have a safe picnic.
Bring two coolers
To keep food cool, use one cooler for drinks, that will be opened often, and the other, which will remain closed, for food.
Organize the layout
Keep in mind that heat rises, even in a cooler. So put all perishable ingredients, such as meat and deli meats, at the bottom and fruits and vegetables on top. Place a layer of ice or ice packs on the surface.
And the wicker basket?
They are very pretty, but typically these baskets do not have insulating properties. It is better to use them to transport utensils, plates and tablecloths.
A drink under the sun
To toast the good weather, fill the cooler with beer, wine and soft drinks, but also cocktails with or without alcohol. Just prepare them before you leave and carry them in an airtight pitcher or Mason jar. Here are some ideas for cocktails and mocktails to prepare:
In Quebec, the regulations for consuming alcohol in parks vary from one municipality to another. Check your city’s bylaws before your picnic.