Sicilian Culture: Food: Italian Picnic

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The Food: The Italian Picnic

The perfect picnic, especially if its a romantic one, is common sense. If you really don't have any or don't think you have any simply read on.   you can imagine a lazy spring or summer day with your significant other, thats all you really need here. You have to know your mate, what does she like? What does he like that is not perishable? Simple enough? Sure! Just pick from any of the ingredients below. The very first thing you need to do is get a cooler, (better yet an authentic picnic basket), then the ice packs. Don't use dry ice or regular ice because you will either get frost bite from the dry ice, or the regular H2O ice will melt and make everything a mess. Remember when you are preparing that A) it all fits in the basket/cooler and B) you have to do as little as possible to enjoy, everything should be pre-sliced, cut, cubed, etc, except for the bread:
FOODS FOR A SIMPLE PICNIC
Don't Leave home without: Ice Packs, Napkins (Wash & Dry are my favorite), GOOD Plastic Spoons, Forks & Knives
Beverage - No matter what you bring, also bring a liter of water, trust me on this one. If its wine, be sure its Italian or Sicilian, preferably a chilled white, make it a half-sized bottle, remember, its the afternoon, and I assume you have to drive back home.
Bread - A loaf of French or Italian Baugette (long, think crusty, seasame seeds on it).
Cheese - Assorted and cubed Provolone Mozzarella, and/or yours/his/her favorites
Fruit - Assorted and cubed Cantelope, Melon, Apple, Peach, Pear, etc.
Vegetables - Assorted and sliced Zucchini, Cucumber, Tomatoes, Squash, and a dip for, yes, dipping.
Meat - Pepperoni, Prosciutto (excellent when wrapped around cantelope), Soprosata, Dry Salami, etc.
Dessert - Pastries can get warm, and some are perishable, if so, then Italian cookies, chocolate biscotti and/or imported chocolates are fine.
FOODS FOR A FANCIER PICNIC
Again, Don't Leave home without: Ice Packs, Napkins (Wash & Dry are my fave), GOOD Plastic Spoons, Forks & Knives
Beverage - No matter what you bring, also bring a liter of water, trust me on this one. If its wine, be sure its Italian or Sicilian, preferably a chilled white, make it a half-sized bottle, remember, its the afternoon, and I assume you have to drive back home.
Shrimp - Enough for 2 People, Boiled, kept cool.
Bread - A loaf of French or Italian Baugette (long, think crusty, seasame seeds on it)
Fruit & Cheese - (Pack a little less because you have heartier food item in this basket) Assorted and cubed Provolone Mozzarella, and/or yours/his/her favorites, aslo assorted and cubed Cantelope, Melon, Apple, Peach, Pear, etc.
Grilled Lemon Chicken - when you pack this, do not put it near the ice, it need not be cold, but not very warm either. Simply marinate chicken in olive oil, lemon, a little garlic, and rosemary, grill, put aside for later.
Cold Pasta Salad - Very simply boil some penne or the fusili (spiral pasta), drain well, add virgin olive oil, capers, squeeze of lemon, shredded carrots, celery optional (I don't like my celery like that), and toss, you could even add light chunk tuna if you wish.
Dessert - Pastries can get warm, and some are perishable, if so, then Italian cookies, chocolate biscotti and/or imported chocolates are fine (leave them on ice)
FOODS FOR A GOURMET ITALIAN PICNIC
Do NOT Leave home without: Ice Packs, Napkins (Wash & Dry are my fave), GOOD Plastic Spoons, Forks & Knives
Beverage - Chilled white Corvo or Frascati wine
Shrimp - Enough for 2 People, Boiled, kept cool.
Bread - A loaf of French or Italian Baugette (long, think crusty, seasame seeds on it)
Fruit & Cheese - (Pack a little less because you have heartier food item in this basket) Assorted and cubed Provolone Mozzarella, and/or yours/his/her favorites, aslo assorted and cubed Cantelope, Melon, Apple, Peach, Pear, etc.
Grilled Lemon Chicken - when you pack this, do not put it near the ice, it need not be cold, but not very warm either. Simply marinate chicken in olive oil, lemon, a little garlic, and rosemary, grill, put aside for later.
Cold Pasta Salad - Very simply boil some penne or the fusili (spiral pasta), drain well, add virgin olive oil, capers, squeeze of lemon, shredded carrots, celery optional (I don't like my celery like that), and toss, you could even add light chunk tuna if you wish.
Dessert - Pastries can get warm, and some are perishable, if so, then Italian cookies, chocolate biscotti and/or imported chocolates are fine (leave them on ice)
Italian Sandwich
Get some crusty bread from a good Italian bakery, panelle works well, or ciabatta, carefully cut the top off like a top to a kettle, because you are going to put it back on eventually. Remove some of the bread out of the center because here you are going to put your Italian delicacies. Be sure you leave some just above the crust on the bottom. Get some pesto spread and smear it all over the bottom and top of the bread. You can buy these pesto sauces already made off the shelf. Next, put some prosciutto on the bottom. The next layer should be your dry mozzarella cheese, thinly sliced, next sweet roasted peppers, then some sliced tomatoes on top, and even a dash or two of balsamic vinegar and/or extra virgin olive oil. Wrap it up well in brown paper, or wax paper, then plastic wrap and finally aluminum foil. If this is a romantic picnic, just open the top, split it, and then get 2 forks to eat directly out of the bread basket. If this is not a romantic picnic, bring a sharp serrated knive, and slice the sandwhich up from top to bottom, bring plenty of napkins and wet towelettes since it could get messy and you dont want to be smelling like the sandwich for the rest of the day.