How To Host A Picnic Dinner In The Park

Summer being short means that you should make use of every opportunity it presents to relax and enjoy the outdoors. So unless you're bound by some unwritten rule that prohibits that why not host all your dinner parties indoors or worse at home when you got the park to enjoy! Summer presents a host of fun activities and and it's a big shame not to take your guests to the park even for a single evening for picnic dinner where you can enjoy a free outdoor concert or a summer stock theater.

As opposed to your regular dinner parties, all picnic dinner food will have to be prepared in advance and ferried to the park in appropriate food warmers and coolers. Below is a list of items you'll have to pack for the picnic.

* A big enough blanket or maybe two, these will used for serving the food and also sit on.

* Portable chairs if sitting on the ground is not your thing.

* Enough beverages such juices, iced tea and water. Inquire prior to your visit from the park authority if it's okay to bring alcoholic beverages along.

* Napkins, plates, eating utensils and glasses.

* Bottle opener, utensils, serving-wares.

* Citronella candles & or insect repellents - if they're allowed in the park.

* Wet wipes and paper towels for cleaning up.

* Trash bag big enough to tidy up your trash and also carry the dirty dishes back home f they're not disposable.

The tips below are important in ensuring you keep food poisoning at bay.

Food Safety Tips

* Thoroughly chill food that will be served cold prior to putting it in the cooler. Coolers do not chill food that is not already cold.

* To prolong chilling ensure you completely fill up the cooler with food or ice. Maintain the temperature at 40 Fahrenheit and below.

* Items that require frequent access such as beverages and fruits should be stored on a different cooler.

* Hot meals should be prepared before you leave for the picnic and stored in a separate container. Maintain temps at 140 F or higher for hot food.

Prepare your picnic dinner recipes in advance. Please note that even crab cake recipes can be mixed, shaped and refrigerated in advance. Cook all meals before leaving for the picnic and then transport them in a food warmer that will preserve the heat until ready for serving.

Ensure that you pack your food properly to avoid leakage. Try to layer food in the order that it's supposed to be eaten to avoid disturbing the dishes until ready to use.

A Picnic Dinner Menu

Mocha Cheesecake - this is easy to pack and provides a decadent finish to your flavored summer meal.

Warm Potato Salad - This is the lighter version of the traditional potato salad.

Mandarin Orange Salad and Sweet Cucumber - Makes for a fine cooling and colorful accompaniment.

Traditional Crab Cakes - These need be packed carefully because the recipe does not use filler to hold the crabmeat in place. It's well worth the extra care.

White Bean Dip - This is quite a spicy treat enjoyed in hot climates as a way to cool down the heat. It's a perfect choice for a balmy summer dinner. You can test the theory yourself.