Summer Picnic - Entertaining Outback

GSI's Sierra Table Set in rustic blue porcelained enamelware

I love summer picnics in the park! If you are not up to doing a full on luncheon, tea and biscuits with a little fruit and cheese are easy to do. I've packed my wicker picnic hamper with a 12 piece table set that is very durable yet lovely for outdoor living.

GSI Sierra Table Set
I can remember seeing enamelware in my Grandmother's kitchen when I was a little girl. It lasted forever and was quite easy to clean. GSI Outdoors has a beautiful enameled table set for four with a coffee cup, soup bowl and dinner plate. You are definitely not roughing it with a set like this but I can still imagine sitting around a campfire being served by "Cookie" from the chuck wagon! 4 bowls, 4 plates, 4 cups, no waiting. It's time to ditch those plastic and paper plates.

GSI Sierra Porcelained Enameled Table Set and Teapot

Porcelained Enameled Teapot
This little teapot is perfect for camping, road trips and picnics as it also comes in the pretty blue just like the tableware set. I like the red because it stands out a bit but still has the speckled texture of the service set. Wooden handle stays in place and can be used on a camp cook stove (see below), a grill or over live coals.

Trangia Stove with fuel tank for outdoor cooking. Tea & Drip Coffee Pots

As you can see, the GSI Outdoors Tea Pot fits perfectly on my Trangia Stove. This is a Primus gas burner so it's very similar to cooking on your gas range at home. It has an even, blue flame and is adjustable via the regulator. The Trangia set has a small tea pot which I really like and is perfect for backpacking because it's very compact. Still I would prefer the larger red teapot for a picnic because I've often run out of hot water with the smaller kettle.

Outback Tea and Coffee!

Stainless 3 Cup Perc
This is an ultra compact but quite rugged stainless steel percolator. It reminds me of one that my mom had and used for years. Campfires, grills and cook stoves can get seriously hot and you may not have your favorite oven mitt along. The heat resistant silicone handle on this perc is therefore really important. The top is hinged so no worries about losing the lid and the PercView knob at the top is made from BPA free resin. Coffee is a welcome finish to any outdoor meal or if you are camping, to start your day. Now, here's a little coffee pot small enough to pack along. Put it on some live coals, the camp stove or grill.

Entertaining Outback
I take my wicker picnic hamper with me for picnics and especially when we've stayed at our cabin in woods. All of the service-ware fits neatly inside and I pack my cook stove and fuel so we need not start a fire the first night unless we want to. If you have the cooking and serving right pieces, it's easy to do. To see more picnic and camping gear for your best summer ever, visit GSIOutdoors.com online. 

Enjoying a picnic at the cabin!

Table Set, Coffee & Teapot c/o GSI Outdoors

Shore Delights

Delicious fresh clams and oysters from H. M. Terry & Co. are shore to please!

One of the best things about summer at the Jersey Shore are the delicious seafood delights.  Oysters, clams, muscles plus all types of fresh fish.  When I plan an outdoor picnic, I always like to include shellfish on the menu.  Oysters and clams are easy to prepare either slightly steamed just until they open or served raw on a half shell with a little hot sauce.  It really doesn't get any better than this!

Opening a raw oyster with an oyster knife

If you would like to add shellfish to your next outdoor party, top them with wet paper towel under ice in a bucket with a strainer underneath until you're ready prepare them.  We also store them loose in the vegetable bin of our fridge with the humidity set on high.  The eastern variety shown here are Sewansecotts harvested from Hogg Island, VA.  They are very meaty with a clean seawater flavor. They are live creatures and will not survive immersed in fresh water.  I like to give both clams and oysters a good scrub and rinse before preparing.  You don't want a lot of sand and mud in the presentation. Once they are clean, start at the back hinge of the shell and pry until the raw oyster pops open.  If you are opening raw clams, slide the knife around the front to cut the muscle then twist to open.  You can then use the knife to separate the meat from the shell and serve it on a half shell over ice.

Oysters Rockefeller is easy to make with a spinach topping.

Oysters Rockefeller uses lightly steamed, then broiled oysters and steamed spinach as a delicious garnish.  This is an alternate way to serve oysters cooked versus raw on a half shell.

Set a tropical theme by adding a Sushi Platter and fresh pineapple as a centerpiece.

In addition to your shellfish, think about perhaps serving a seafood salad with shrimp, oysters, clams and crab meat.  Sushi platters are also a hit and easy to keep fresh.  Add a bottle of Kikoman Soy Sauce and chop sticks to the table for your guests.  Having everything on platters allows your guests to help themselves and adds to the color and festivity of the table.

Green Tea on Tap: Have a drink dispenser on the table so guests can serve themselves chilled refreshments

Outdoor Entertaining

Deviled Eggs topped with Hungarian Paprika on a bed of yellow peppers & spring greens  PHOTO by MAM of GaveThat.com

Now that spring is here, you'll want to start making plans for some dining "al fresco".  We did a simple birthday celebration in the garden with char-grilled burgers, spring salad, deviled eggs, sour-cream cucumber salad and a tray of tortilla chips with dip.  Mr. Husband was in charge of the grill so I didn't have to worry about that.  The rest of the menu is so easy to prepare and even the deviled eggs are quick to put together.

Weather & number of guests will dictate if a tent is needed

April Showers

Spring is notorious for unpredictable weather and afternoon showers.  If it is a rather grand affair with your guests being dressed more formally you might consider renting a party tent like this one.  The sides can be rolled up on extremely hot days to allow cool breezes to blow through or closed down if rain threatens.

Caterers can set up the chairs, tables and buffet menu giving you more time with your guests.  However if it is a small intimate party, you might simply enlist the help of family and friends and do it yourself.

Havaleena Lights Grace surround this lit birthday of strawberries and whipped cream.  PHOTO by MAM of GaveThat.com

Frame Your Work

The dessert table featuring the "guest of honor" is almost always a cake.  Here is our Strawberry topped white cake with whipped cream frosting.  We did a late afternoon soiree in the garden and enjoyed the main meal while it was still light and warm.

You can surround your dessert and gift table with colorful lights so that when twilight rolls around, everything will still be illuminated.  The cake and presents are often the last amusements of the evening so it really looks pretty to have them framed in colorful lights. In the glass vase we have our lovely Havaleena Party Lights which are flameless, cool and safe being lit around children.  These lights last for hours on only three AA batteries so no chord or outlet is necessary.

Havaleena Party Lights & a colorful disco ball light up the night!