I can still tell you exactly where my mom stored our family’s round wicker picnic basket. I can still see my dad packing ice into our green Coleman cooler.
If I close my eyes, I see watermelon chilling in creeks, my grandmother relaxing in a folding lawn chair, Keds-clad feet stretched out in front of her.
Picnics, quite simply, make for glorious memories. And when the days and summer stretch on and on, we are duty-bound to get out there and make some new memories, along with our most cherished side salads and treats.
I have picnicked in the company of hungry bears, persistent bees and annoying flies. But I’m convinced I’ve never had a truly bad meal so long as I was outdoors somewhere, happy and relaxed with family and friends.
Linda Sue Liu is contributing to our next happy picnic with a pair of recipes. Both recipes come together so easily there’s no excuse to stay indoors. Liu’s peanut butter rice cereal bars include an irresistible caramel-y topping.
Her cranberry walnut coleslaw offers a mayo-free take on the traditional picnic side dish. Liu dresses her slaw with honey mustard and honey. I do like the mayo-and-yogurt dressing I use on coleslaw, but I might adapt it with the honey mustard and honey to try a different flavor profile.
Happy picnicking. Let me know if you make a special picnic memory or dish this summer.
