Perfect for a Picnic

You know what they say, April showers bring May flowers, but I’m going to say it brings with it what could be your only opportunity for some delightful picnic weather down here on the bayou. Soon it will be obnoxiously hot, and unless you plan on picnicking somewhere covered and preferably underneath a fan, the thought of a picnic is, well, merely a nice thought.

As unofficial queen of the picnic (I did write a cookbook on the topic, after all), this month I’m sharing what’s inside my personal picnic basket and some tips to help things go smoothly.

For starters, if you find your significant other unimpressed with your picnic plans, it’s because you’re not upping the ante with your sandwich. “Want to grab a turkey sandwich and go on a picnic?” Eh. “Join me for a picnic? I’ve got Spicy Avocado Bacon & Egg Sandwich Stackers. Did you hear, they have BACON!” Got your attention now, don’t I? Be sure to wrap the sandwiches with parchment paper or strips of a brown paper bag to keep things nice and tidy.

My Yo-Yo Fruit Dip requires minimal ingredients and is the perfect complement to summer’s favorite fruits … and the Louisiana temps. To package, and not waste unused dip, put the dip at the bottom of a Mason jar, top with fruit, and keep it ice cold prior to your picnic plans.

And last but not least, my Grandma’s Oatmeal Raisin Cookies are perfect for picnic snacking, ballgame watching, or simply when you need something nostalgic and satisfying. They are better than the grocery, y’all. I pinky promise, cross my heart.