Beach, Blanket …Bingo! | Summer Picnic Recipes
The recipes in this very movable feast began with a craving for tuna. Not the mayo-slicked sandwiches of childhood lunchboxes, but something summery, tangy, vegetable-packed, and a little French. I thought of the sandwiches from Nice, France, called pan bagnat, that take the ingredients of classic Niçoise salad and layer them on crunchy country bread. So […]
By Amy Traverso
May 25 2022
The makings of a summer day to savor: Watermelon-Cucumber Cooler, Nectarine & Tomato Salad with Feta & Pistachios, French-Style Tuna Sandwiches, and Easy Blueberry-Pecan Crumble Bars.
Photo Credit : Photo by Linda Campos, Styling by Chantal Lambeth, Anchor Artists (food), Korey Seney (props)
Photo Credit : Photo by Linda Campos, Styling by Chantal Lambeth, Anchor Artists (food), Korey Seney (props)
The recipes in this very movable feast began with a craving for tuna. Not the mayo-slicked sandwiches of childhood lunchboxes, but something summery, tangy, vegetable-packed, and a little French. I thought of the sandwiches from Nice, France, calledpan bagnat,that take the ingredients of classic Niçoise salad and layer them on crunchy country bread. So I piled tuna, tomato, green beans, olives, sliced egg, basil, and onions on ciabatta rolls with a drizzle of vinaigrette. They were fantastic.
Photo Credit : Photo by Linda Campos, Styling by Chantal Lambeth, Anchor Artists (food), Korey Seney (props)
This became the starting point for an easy summer menu that works perfectly as a beach picnic but can just as well be served on a front porch or patio. To wash it down: a quick blender drink that’s not just refreshing, but also cooling, made with watermelon, cucumber, and mint. Serve it with ice, a splash of seltzer, and a bit of vodka if you’d like. And with a nod to the tomatoes and stone fruits coming into season, I came up with a simple and flavorful salad with feta, pistachios, and basil (you can serve this on a platter or, on windy days, opt for jars).
Photo Credit : Photo by Linda Campos, Styling by Chantal Lambeth, Anchor Artists (food), Korey Seney (props)
The finale: very easy blueberry-pecan crumble bars. You make one dough and use it as both the crust and the crumble. It’s hard to eat just one. They’ll make you grateful for summer.