Picnic Perfection
Jul. 6th, 2003 11:15 am![[personal profile]](https://www.dreamwidth.org/img/silk/identity/user.png){kind=small}
rikibethLast night was the riverfront fireworks display. We had a lovely picnic.
First of all, last year we bought some of those folding chairs that seem to have mostly replaced the beach chairs of my childhood. We got ones with a built-in cupholder in the arm, and swiveling seats. Very comfy.
Another factor was that we didn't bother to fight the crowds for a space on Constitution Plaza. We grabbed a street-level spot next to a building which had a decent slice of sky (only slightly obscured by Adriaen's Landing construction) and little crowding, and we were close enough to hear the music but not so close as to be overpowered by it.
But the main thing, of course, was the picnic food, even if that's boasting. I relied heavily on my Cook's Illustrated archives. Buttermilk-brined fried chicken, French potato salad with radishes, cornichons, and capers, and a jug of their incredible lemonade recipe. The marinated green beans were my own invention, and were hardly a recipe at all. I also brought some of Christy's leftover coconut birthday cake for dessert, but we were all too full for dessert.
Another nice touch was that I emptied a six-pack of Mike's Hard Lemonade into a discreet Rubbermaid jug so we could drink it without drawing attention from the cops.
I bought blue gel-ice packs to keep things cool, and we used a classic-looking wooden picnic basket, which I think has MUCH more style than an Igloo cooler. The drink jugs went into a canvas tote bag with more blue gel-ice.
Charlotte even said she liked the fried chicken, although she only ate about half a drumstick. She is such a fussy eater that I consider that a small miracle.
The fireworks were beautiful, it didn't rain, and we had a free parking spot that was a manageable walk.
Ahhh.
First of all, last year we bought some of those folding chairs that seem to have mostly replaced the beach chairs of my childhood. We got ones with a built-in cupholder in the arm, and swiveling seats. Very comfy.
Another factor was that we didn't bother to fight the crowds for a space on Constitution Plaza. We grabbed a street-level spot next to a building which had a decent slice of sky (only slightly obscured by Adriaen's Landing construction) and little crowding, and we were close enough to hear the music but not so close as to be overpowered by it.
But the main thing, of course, was the picnic food, even if that's boasting. I relied heavily on my Cook's Illustrated archives. Buttermilk-brined fried chicken, French potato salad with radishes, cornichons, and capers, and a jug of their incredible lemonade recipe. The marinated green beans were my own invention, and were hardly a recipe at all. I also brought some of Christy's leftover coconut birthday cake for dessert, but we were all too full for dessert.
Another nice touch was that I emptied a six-pack of Mike's Hard Lemonade into a discreet Rubbermaid jug so we could drink it without drawing attention from the cops.
I bought blue gel-ice packs to keep things cool, and we used a classic-looking wooden picnic basket, which I think has MUCH more style than an Igloo cooler. The drink jugs went into a canvas tote bag with more blue gel-ice.
Charlotte even said she liked the fried chicken, although she only ate about half a drumstick. She is such a fussy eater that I consider that a small miracle.
The fireworks were beautiful, it didn't rain, and we had a free parking spot that was a manageable walk.
Ahhh.
