If you think a picnic is a peanut butter sandwich and a bag of chips, you're sure to be inspired by the romantic ideas for outdoor meals in "Picnics," by mother-and-son co-authors Hilary and Alex Heminway.
Photograph by Audrey Hall from "Picnics" by Hilary Heminway and Alex Heminway. Reprinted with permission by Gibbs Smith. |
'Picnics,' by mother-and-son co-authors Hilary and Alex Heminway, is a cookbook that includes creative outdoor recipes, literary quotes about picnics, poetic chapter introductions and artful full-color photographs.
|
It's more than just a cookbook — although it includes recipes that range from Chilly Weather Chili to Shrimp and Morel Skewers with Mango Salsa. "Picnics" is filled with creative theme ideas for outdoor meals, literary quotes about picnics, poetic chapter introductions and artful full-color photographs.
Here are two of the sandwich ideas from "Picnics."
On the Plane:
"Air travel is burdensome enough. The loss of control (we aren't flying the plane) adds to the anxiety of being so far removed from our birthright Earth. Food is a comfort in times of distress. Take control of your lunch: picnic on the plane. Build a simple, classic sandwich from pure ingredients: crisp watercress, generous slices of Black Forest ham, Gruyère (a nutty, firm Swiss cheese), and fresh ciabatta. Ciabatta ("slipper" in Italian) is a broad flat bread with crisp crust made from wheat flour. Remember, others have to share the plane cabin, a confined environment to say the least. Out of respect to fellow travelers, avoid odoriferous foods like onion, garlic and tuna."
5 Mile High Ham and Cheese Ciabatta Sandwich
2 slices ciabatta bread
Prepared horseradish
Dijon mustard, to taste
2 slices Black Forest ham
1 slice Gruyère cheese
2 sprigs watercress
Unsalted butter
On bottom slice of ciabatta, spread a sparing amount of horseradish, followed by mustard to taste. Arrange ham over bread and add Gruyère. Top with watercress and final slice of buttered bread. Serves 1
Lakeside Picnic:
"The tuna salad sandwich — friend to millions, foe to faint snuffers — is the preeminent American sandwich, second only to peanut butter and jelly. Although commonly encountered, it need not be ordinary. Fresh ingredients will ensure robust flavors. A rule of thumb when putting it all together: be provident with the mayonnaise; don't drown the fish."
Tuna Salad Sandwich
12 ounces while Albacore tuna
in water, drained
¼ cup mayonnaise to taste
2 tablespoons lemon juice
3 scallions, chopped
1 stalk celery, chopped
1 tablespoon capers
1 tablespoon chopped
Italian parsley
Ground pepper to taste
Flake tuna with a fork. Mix all ingredients together and store in an airtight container. Prepare sandwiches at the picnic site to prevent them from becoming soggy.
Excellent additions to any tuna sandwich include romaine lettuce, watercress, thin slices of dill pickle or thin slices of tomato. Serves 2
