Did you know June 18 is International Picnic Day? Yes, it’s a thing — although it’s not an official holiday anywhere (though we think it totally should be), these al fresco meals are definitely worth celebrating.
Grab your picnic mats and baskets, because we’re about to share some tasty essentials to make your next picnic an unforgettable one, for both your friends and your tastebuds.
Cheese and charcuterie board
A platter of cheese and charcuterie (cold-cut meats) is a definite must for every picnic. It allows for a great mix of flavours (think salty, sweet, and savoury), while still giving you plenty of control over exactly what you want to include.
Though there are no hard and fast rules about what cheeses should go onto your board, it’s ideal to include an assortment of cheeses with different tastes and textures. For starters, we recommend brie for a soft and creamy mouthfeel (perfect as a spread), smoked gouda (pairs well with your meats), and some classic sharp cheddar.
For your meats, you’re really free to pick whatever you fancy. Some popular varieties used in charcuterie boards are prosciutto (Italian dry-cured pork ham), beef or pork salami, and chorizo (fermented and cured pork sausage that is smoked). If you’re looking for non-pork options, you can try beef pastrami and chicken/turkey ham.
Throw in some salted crackers, your favourite bread, some dried or fresh fruits, and you’ve got yourself a highly presentable meal — no cooking or recipe needed. But if you think the process of getting all the ingredients is too much of a hassle, you can always get a pre-packed cheese and charcuterie board from the supermarket or from local businesses that specialise in such goods. Lush Platters offers a wide range of platters, boards, and boxes that cater to different budgets. Meatless and vegan options are also available.
Lush Platters
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Baked sweet treats
The troublesome thing about picnics is you have to make sure your food doesn’t go bad before it’s time to dig in, especially in Singapore’s hot and humid weather. If you’re going to be travelling to a location further from home, it’s best you pack food that needs to be chilled in a cooler bag with some ice packs. Otherwise, it’s good to bring foods that won’t go bad easily, as it will save you the headache of worrying whether your food is safe to eat.
Baked goods are a superb choice for picnics, precisely because they have a long shelf life. Whether they are brownies, cookies, cupcakes, or muffins, these baked treats are sure to sweeten up any picnic. You can either make them yourself (time to show off those quarantine-baking skills) or get them from your favourite bakery.
Don’t have anywhere in mind? Try Edith Patisserie — they offer a delicious variety of baked goods that will satisfy even the smallest sweet tooth at your picnic.
Edith Patisserie
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Sandwiches
Can’t decide on what to feature as your “entree”? Smoked salmon, rotisserie chicken, or roast beef — how about having them all in the form of sandwiches? These classic picnic staples are a great way to incorporate a bunch of different ingredients and flavours, especially if your picnic buddies have dietary restrictions or certain food preferences.
You can make your sandwiches sweet or savoury, and as simple or elaborate as you like. The possibilities are endless.
Pro-tip: pack your ingredients separately to prevent your sandwiches from getting soggy. Making your sandwiches on-site enables you to enjoy them at peak freshness, and it’s a fun DIY activity for everyone at the picnic.
Chips and dip
Nothing screams party like a bowl of chips and dip. All you have to do is to grab a bag of tortilla or corn chips paired with your choice of dip — it’s that easy. We suggest bringing two or three dips just to have a little variety, but one will work just fine. Chips and guac, anyone?
If you’re looking to add some nutritional value to your picnic, you can chop up some fresh veggie sticks (carrot, celery, and cucumber are popular choices) to go with your dip. Alternatively, you can also opt for healthier chip options, such as brown-rice chips or rice crackers.
Ice-cold drinks
Obviously, no picnic is complete without a few ice-cold drinks. Frozen margaritas are excellent for a day out in the sun. For non-alcoholic drinks, freshly squeezed fruit juices or smoothies are great thirst-quenchers as well. If you don’t own a chiller or aren’t keen on lugging one to your picnic, leave your drinks in the freezer overnight the day before. Then, take them out right before you leave for your picnic — it saves you from having to bring ice, and also keeps your drinks cool for longer.
Wine also makes for a good pairing with your cheese and charcuterie board, so it’s the perfect time to bring out that bottle you’ve been saving for special occasions.
Bonus: Have a Glam Picnic all planned for you
Sure, picnics are a lot of fun, but they also require a lot of planning and preparation beforehand. If the thought of going through all that trouble makes you frown, don’t stash away your picnic dreams just yet. You can, however, put away your picnic mats because someone can do all the prep for you.
Glamping Society offers a wide range of Glam Picnic packages that can answer all your picnic woes. For a fuss-free picnic experience, you can choose the basic Glam Picnic (from $180), which includes the picnic set-up and teardown, cutlery, sparkling juice, and an array of snacks (cheese and crackers, cookies, cakes, and more).
If you want something fancier, you can book their Glam Picnic with Teepee and Lace Standees (from $250) or their Glam Picnic with Lace Standees and Roof (from $265). These packages are a little pricier, but they’re ideal for special occasions like birthdays, anniversaries, or even a proposal. All Glam Picnic packages come with food and decor — and did we mention everything from set-up to teardown will be done for you?
If you’re interested in booking one of these Glam Picnic packages, head to our Experiences page here to get started.
Glam Picnic by Glamping Society
