Hello and welcome to this thing we’re doing where we help you figure out what you’re gonna put in your mouth this week. Some of these are recipes we’ve tried, some of these are recipes we’re looking forward to trying, all of them are fucking delicious. Tell us what you want to put in your piehole or suggest your own recipes, and we’ll talk about which things we made, which things we loved, and which things have changed us irreversibly as people. Last week, we gave ourselves garlic breath (but it was totally worth it).
Now that it’s almost summer, New York has finally begun to embrace spring. That means it’s actually (just barely) warm enough to spend more than 15 minutes outside at a time, and the entire world is starting to bloom, so there’s a lot to look at. It’s also perfect picnic weather.
Packing a picnic is about finding a lot of small, easily packaged things that won’t spoil if they’re out of the fridge for an hour or so. You don’t want to pack huge portions, because ideally you won’t have leftovers, but you do want to have a variety of things to munch on while you enjoy the sunshine in the company of a fun person or a good book. Think basics: carrots, apples, chips, sandwiches, hard-boiled eggs. If you have some ice packs (and a short trip to the park) throw in a popsicle or two, too. Wrap it all up in the perfect basket/bag/backpack and head out into the warm, wonderful world.
1. Hard-Boiled Eggs
![via The Kitchn](https://develop.autostraddle.com/wp-content/uploads/2015/05/Hard-boiled-egg.jpg?resize=540%2C359)
via The Kitchn
2. Pasta Salad with Peas and Pesto
![via Serious Eats](https://develop.autostraddle.com/wp-content/uploads/2015/05/Pasta-salad-with-peas-and-pesto.jpg?resize=625%2C469)
via Serious Eats
3. Lemon Cream Icebox Cake
![via The Kitchn](https://develop.autostraddle.com/wp-content/uploads/2015/05/Lemon-Cream-Icebox-Cake.jpg?resize=497%2C640)
via The Kitchn
4. Elena Ruz Sandwich
![via Saveur](https://develop.autostraddle.com/wp-content/uploads/2015/05/Elena-Ruiz.jpg?resize=400%2C511)
via Saveur
5. Hot Potato Salad
![via Food.com](https://develop.autostraddle.com/wp-content/uploads/2015/05/Hot-Potato-Salad.jpg?resize=555%2C371)
via Food.com
6. Summer Fruit Panzanella
![via Serious Eats](https://develop.autostraddle.com/wp-content/uploads/2015/05/Summer-fruit-panzenella.jpg?resize=625%2C470)
via Serious Eats
7. Blackberry and Grape Popsicles
8. Farmer’s Lunch Sandwich
![via The Kitchn](https://develop.autostraddle.com/wp-content/uploads/2015/05/Farmers-Lunch-Sandwich.jpg?resize=540%2C359)
via The Kitchn
9. Italian Caprese Chopped Salad
10. Esquites (Warm Mexican Street Corn Salad)
![via Serious Eats](https://develop.autostraddle.com/wp-content/uploads/2015/05/Esquites.jpg?resize=625%2C469)
via Serious Eats
11. Spiked Watermelon Pops
![via Food Network](https://develop.autostraddle.com/wp-content/uploads/2015/05/Spiked-Watermelon-Pops.jpeg?resize=406%2C305)
via Food Network
12. The Best Egg Salad Sandwich
![via Serious Eats](https://develop.autostraddle.com/wp-content/uploads/2015/05/Best-Egg-Salad.jpg?resize=610%2C458)
via Serious Eats
13. Tzatziki Dip with Fresh Vegetables
![via Culinary Cory](https://develop.autostraddle.com/wp-content/uploads/2015/05/Tzatziki-Dip-with-Fresh-Vegetables.jpg?resize=584%2C438)
via Culinary Cory
14. Polenta Tart with Roasted Cherry Tomatoes
![via The Kitchn](https://develop.autostraddle.com/wp-content/uploads/2015/05/Polenta-Tart-with-Roasted-Tomatoes.jpg?resize=478%2C640)
via The Kitchn
15. Homemade BBQ and Sour Cream & Onion Potato Chips
![via Fork and Beans](https://develop.autostraddle.com/wp-content/uploads/2015/05/Potato-chips.jpg?resize=426%2C640)
via Fork and Beans
16. Reuben Danish
![via Serious Eats](https://develop.autostraddle.com/wp-content/uploads/2015/05/Reuben-danish.jpg?resize=625%2C469)
via Serious Eats
17. Chai Cinnamon Pudding
![Chai cinnamon pudding](https://develop.autostraddle.com/wp-content/uploads/2015/05/Chai-cinnamon-pudding.jpg?resize=513%2C640)
via Martha Stewart
18. Smoked Gouda and Apple Butter Sandwich
![via Saveur](https://develop.autostraddle.com/wp-content/uploads/2015/05/Smoked-Gouda-and-Apple-Butter-Sandwich.jpg?resize=640%2C427)
via Saveur
19. Lemony Eggless Egg Salad
![via The Kitchn](https://develop.autostraddle.com/wp-content/uploads/2015/05/Eggless-Egg-Salad.jpg?resize=427%2C640)
via The Kitchn
20. Herbed Cucumber Radish Tea Sandwiches
![via Serious Eats](https://develop.autostraddle.com/wp-content/uploads/2015/05/Herbed-Cucumber-Radish-Tea-Sandwiches.jpg?resize=625%2C469)
via Serious Eats
21. Blueberry Picnic Bars
![via Food.com](https://develop.autostraddle.com/wp-content/uploads/2015/05/Blueberry-Picnic-Bars.jpg?resize=555%2C416)
via Food.com
22. Broccoli Feta Pasta Salad
![via The Kitchn](https://develop.autostraddle.com/wp-content/uploads/2015/05/Broccoli-Feta-Pasta-Salad.jpg?resize=424%2C640)
via The Kitchn
23. The Best F&$king Grilled Chicken Sandwich Ever
![via Serious Eats](https://develop.autostraddle.com/wp-content/uploads/2015/05/Grilled-Chicken-Sandwich.jpg?resize=625%2C469)
via Serious Eats
24. Banana Nutella Fudgesicles
![via The Viet Vegan](https://develop.autostraddle.com/wp-content/uploads/2015/05/Nutella-Banana-Popsicles.jpg?resize=427%2C640)
via The Viet Vegan
25. Za’atar-Spiced Beet Dip with Goat Cheese and Hazelnuts
![via Food & Wine](https://develop.autostraddle.com/wp-content/uploads/2015/05/Zaatar-Spiced-Beet-Dip.jpg?resize=550%2C550)
via Food & Wine
26. Grilled Corn Cheddar Quinoa
![via How Sweet Eats](https://develop.autostraddle.com/wp-content/uploads/2015/05/Grilled-Corn-Chedder-Quinoa.jpg?resize=640%2C425)
via How Sweet Eats
27. Salted Dulce de Leche Bars
![via Spoon Fork Bacon](https://develop.autostraddle.com/wp-content/uploads/2015/05/Salted-Dulce-de-Leche-Bars.jpg?resize=481%2C640)
via Spoon Fork Bacon
OMG. That Rueben danish. And the grilled chicken sandwich with the chips inside. Also that egg salad though. Could actually eat #allofthethings.
Not gonna lie…I wrote this while pretty hungover, and for some reason all I could think about the whole time was egg salad. This list actually started out as like five egg recipes, and then I spent the rest of the time being like “What do people eat at picnics other than eggs? Is there even food that isn’t eggs? Eggs???”
Za’atar!
Yum especially 17 *.*
#18, OMG. My favorite fruit + favorite cheese. Fruit and cheese were made for each other. Other favorite combinations include cheddar-pear pie, goat cheese with craisins, and blueberries with ricotta.
Well, this is excellent. I’m about to spend the next month at the movies, & this looks like it might help me eat like a person instead of some kind of monster raised on coffee & popcorn.
These are seriously great ideas and wonderful photos! Brilliant!