Picnics Made Easy, Fun and Stress-Free!

Summer picnics are a great way to get the family outside in a different environment for a dinner that is light and cool for those warm summer nights.

Having some really great gourmet cheese shops and specialty shops to choose from are a good source of many different prepared items that you can turn into a great meal. We have a bunch of them here in Essex County, New Jersey -- Italian shops, produce markets, cheese shops, bakeries and chocolate shops! With all of these resources, you can create a picnic meal quickly and effortlessly.

I think a great grilled steak, sliced on a fresh baguette with some local tomatoes, arugula and mustard vinaigrette is yummy. You can make this portable by creating the sandwich, then cutting and wrapping each individually to have one for everyone. I think it's always nice to give everyone their own sandwich already wrapped up in paper...

Add to this a really nice cheese, some fresh berries and crackers -- even buy some chips for the kids. Also try out a quick, warm pasta salad to add to this picnic meal.

Feel free to add whatever fresh and local ingredients are at the market. Use lots of herbs, as well as a quality, extra virgin olive oil, which I find always brightens up a pasta dish. And of course, add in some kind of goody from either the bakery or the chocolate shop.

Going on a summer picnic can be effortless and really so much fun for the family. Be sure to grab a big blanket to lie on the ground, and maybe a ball to kick around. The night will be filled with quality family time, and something I bet the kids will remember and cherish!

While most of these picnic eats can be purchased from local shops, and cooking is at a minimum, ensure that your steak tastes great by whipping up this quick steak marinade:

Ariane's Quick Steak Marinade

1\2 cup Worcestershire sauce
1\2 cup soy sauce
2 tablespoons of chopped garlic
2 tablespoons of chopped fresh basil
2 tablespoons of chopped fresh thyme
Season with salt and pepper

Combine ingredients and season with salt and pepper.
Marinate one flank or London broil steak (approximately 2 to 3 pounds) overnight or for at least one hour.
Grill steak for approximately 15 minutes or to likeness.

Enjoy!

Click here to add Ariane's Quick Steak Marinade recipe to your meal planner

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