Cooking Tip

Packing for a Picnic

• Protect your glasses while traveling by securely tucking them into the blanket before putting them in the basket.
• Wrap utensils in napkins before packing the basket. That way, you won't have to search for them later.
• Make sure you thoroughly chill foods that need to be served cold before packing your picnic basket. If you have a longer trip to make, bring along a small cooler for foods that are typically refrigerated.
• On hot days, be sure to bring along a few extra bottles of water and choose a shady spot so you don't over-heat too quickly.
• Tuck a small trash bag into the picnic basket so you can clean up when you're finished.
• Rather than carry several bottles, jars and containers to a cookout, serve all the condiments from a muffin tin. Just fill each cup with a different condiment and serving spoons. Include diced onions, sliced pickles and whatever other add-ons your picnic requires.
• Covered with foil, a muffin tray makes transporting salsas, chutneys, mustards and more a breeze, and it takes up less room in the cooler, too.
• When heading out to a picnic, pack hot dishes with hot dishes and cold dishes with cold dishes.
• Wrapping your hot dishes in aluminum foil and then in newspaper keeps them insulated.
• Pack cold dishes last to keep them cooler longer.