It’s totally spummer out. (Ya know, that season that’s right between spring and summer.) One day it’s 87 and the next day it’s 65. This weather is cray. But on the ideal spummer day it’s good to have picnic fixings on the ready! You see, this day would be about 75 and sunny, and it wouldn’t rain as soon as you sat on your picnic blanket, and you sure wouldn’t cut your thumb on the an I-had-no-idea-they-were-so-sharp cheese knife before taking one single bite of your new fave orzo salad.
But mostly, I’ve had a giant focaccia bread sandwich on my mind for awhile now, and I totally needed some picnic-salads in my life. I spent most of Sunday getting this stuff together, and I had the most fun! These salads are a easy breezy. I want to make that orzo one again pronto, and bring it to a party with pretty lemon slices in it. Sometimes salads look even better once accessorized.
So the moral of the story is this: have a picnic! I’ll cross my fingers to prevent rain and hand-wounds.
French Potato Salad (serves 4)
Recipe adapted from Martha Stewart
Ingredients:
- 1 lb. fingerling or assorted small potatoes
- 1 T champagne vinegar
- 1 1/2 T grainy Dijon mustard
- 2 T olive oil
- 1 shallot, chopped
- 1 small bunch chives, chopped
- kosher salt and pepper
Directions:
- Place pots in a large pot, cover with water by an inch and season with salt. Bring to a boil; reduce to a simmer and cook until potatoes are tender, about 10-15 minutes. Drain and run under cool water.
- In a small bowl whisk together vinegar, mustard, olive oil, shallot, chives, and salt and pepper to taste. Toss with potatoes. Store in the fridge. Serve at room temperature or chilled.
Asparagus and Orzo Salad (serves 4)
Recipe adapted from Two Peas and their Pod
Ingredients:
- 1 cup orzo
- 2 cloves garlic, pressed
- 1 T olive oil
- 1 bunch of asparagus
- juice from 1 large lemon
- 1/3 cup feta cheese, crumbled
- 1/2 cup slivered almonds
- salt and pepper, to taste
Directions:
- Cook orzo in salted boiling water for about 9-10 minutes, or until cooked. Run under cool water. Drain and set aside.
- Cut asparagus into bite size pieces and bring to a boil in a saucepan of water. Cook just until brightened in color, just a few minutes. Remove from water. Meanwhile heat garlic and olive oil in a skillet. Add asparagus and cook just until garlic is fragrant and asparagus is tender. Remove from heat and stir into orzo with lemon, feta, almonds, salt and pepper. Add more lemon juice or seasoning to taste.
Focaccia Sandwich (serves 4-6)
Ingredients:
- 1 (9-inch) loaf of focaccia bread*
- spinach or rocket pesto
- 2 grilled chicken breasts (marinated in lemon, garlic, and olive oil)
- asiago cheese
- goat cheese
- 2 slices crispy prosciutto
- 1 1/2 avocados
- romain lettuce
- garlic mustard, optional
*I made this recipe and made two 9-inch loaves instead of three 6-inch loaves.
Directions:
- Slice the loaf of focaccia in half and spread half of it with pesto. (Spread mustard on the top half, if using.) Sprinkle with cheese, top with prosciutto, lettuce, and chicken. Mash avocados and spread on the top half. Top the sandwich. Skewer and slice! Wrap up in plastic wrap to bring to the picnic!
Yay! Click HERE for a printable pdf of the recipes above.
Fancy orange soda. It’s just the best color ever!
I LOVE EVERYTHING ABOUT THIS TIMES A THOUSAND.
BILLY! YES! Let’s picnic together someday!
Picnics have to be one of THE BEST part of summer! Discovering recently that I’m gluten intolerant though somewhat changes the good old baguette and cheese options for me. I love making frittatas just before a picnic so you get to eat them slightly warm with a crisp glass of white.
meg-made Bacon, Caramelised onion & tomato Frittata
xx
Oh! Frittatas are the perfect picnic food! I think I see a brunch picnic in my future.
I’ve never been on an actual legit picnic. I need to change that. Actually, I really need this sandwich. It looks amazing. Such a delicious looking idea.
You totes need to picnic it up! They’re kinda magical.
I just want to be at that picnic… I LOVE THIS too much.. That blanket.. mail it to me.
Let’s have another picnic! You can bring the fried chicken!
I need to be a part of this picnic business… I love everything about it!
Thanks, Stephanie!
A focaccia sandwich sounds like just the thing for a picnic! I love the pops of color and that blanket! YES.
Thanks, Nicole! <3!
you make me wanna go on a picnic, and it’s raining, so that says a lot : )
Yes!
Oh my word! I need all of this in my life asap! It’s picnic time!!!
For realz! Picnic O’clock!
I love that blanket! and way to double up on the salads (and triple up on the carbs)!
A carb menage never hurt anybody!
Such a cute, delicious looking picnic! I want all of those yummy dishes!
Shucks! Thanks, Georgia!
I love that picnic blanket!
And the term spummer– right on! It’s bonkers.
Everything looks delicious! I’ve added orzo to my summer to-try list!
Thanks, Hilary! Totes bonkers. And yeah! I hope you love that salad.
My fiance and I are pretty much obsessed with picnics. (it’s all we ever did when we first started dating! except most of our picnics were in the back of his car because we met in the dead of winter :x) These recipes are perfect, I especially am intrigued by the asparagus and orzo salad it looks absolutely delicious!
PS: I found your blog a couple of weeks ago, and love it 😀
I love the idea of winter picnics. So cute. And I bet you’ll love the asparagus and orzo salad. It’s so simple and tasty!
And yay! I’m so glad you found me. 🙂
I’ve been meaning to tell you, I did your French potato salad…only I roasted the potatoes instead of boiling them. DELICIOUS.
Made the Asparagus Orzo salad for Mothers Day. Loved it! I added grilled chicken to the left overs today and it was even better! I will definitely make it again to have during the summer. Thanks!!