Good Day for a Picnic: Simple Food That Travels Well    by Jeremy Jackson Order:  USA  Can William Morrow, 2005 (2005) Hardcover Read an Excerpt     Reviewed by Mary Ann Smyth This cookbook begins with the story of the evolution of the picnic. Jeremy Jackson, who also wrote The Cornbread Book, advises cooking food beforehand and transporting it to the picnic area. He feels that grilling and barbequeing are well and good, but to properly enjoy a picnic, no work at the site should be involved. Jackson gives wonderful suggestions about where and when to have a picnic. He also covers the necessary accoutrements besides the food. Be sure to read the first pages of this great book, with its wonderful photos of picnics in days gone by. If nothing else, after reading, you'll be all fired up to organize your own picnic. On to the food, starting with cocktails and Beverages that go down well at a picnic, such as Champagne Punch or Pimm's, Iced Teas and Lemonades. And there's nothing wrong with tucking in a good bottle of wine or two. Nibblers come next, with Cherry Tomatoes Stuffed with Goat Cheese, Brown Sugar Almonds, and Roasted Grapes, among others. Salads, Sides, Soups and Bread follow. These all have my vote: Chunky Summer Salad with Peaches, Tomatoes and Farmer Cheese; Roasted Potato Salad with Crème Fraiche; Seared Brussels Sprouts; Chilled Avocado and Cucumber Soup; Roasted Red Bell Pepper Soup; and a lovely Ciabetta (bread). These are followed by Sandwiches and Substantial Courses. Here we have Tuna Cakes; Buttermilk Biscuits; Upside Down Meatloaf; Sesame Noodles; Crepes Stuffed with Chard, Feta, Pine Nuts, and Golden Raisins; and Tomatillo Salsa. Salivating yet? I am. Then on to what a good picnic should never be without – Sweets and plenty of them. Lay out the Sour Cherry Mini-Crumbles; Rhubarb (my very favoritest spring fruit) Custard Tart; In-The-Pan Chocolate Cake; and that never-to-be-forgotten Banana Pudding of my childhood. In Good Day for a Picnic, you will find simple recipes to whip up and pack for that day in the sun. Also read the 'Quick Pic' at the end of each section, with good suggestions to make the preparations easier. Have a great day! Note: Opinions expressed in reviews and articles on this site are those of the author(s) and not necessarily those of BookLoons. Find more NonFiction books on our Shelves or in our book Reviews