4 tricks for a simple
and memorable picnic

In Quebec, summer is made to take advantage of the sun. Whether it’s a picnic at the park or camping and barbecuing in the backyard, there’s always a good reason to eat outside! If the idea of an outdoor meal among family or friends makes your mouth water, here are a few tricks that will make your next picnic simple yet memorable.

Simplicity + planning ahead = savings

The first step towards a successful picnic starts way before the day of. You have to think of the menu first to then get the right ingredients at the grocery store a few days in advance. Cooking a maximum amount of homemade meals will allow you to get the most savings. Don’t forget to consult our flyer to take advantage of our specials!

For meal ideas, it’s better to choose simple menus that easily adapt according to the tastes of everyone. A simple menu allows you to enjoy your day in the sun. The goal is that, once at the park, all you have to do is serve! Here are a few examples of winning combinations:

Customized sandwiches + fruits + snacks + drinks
Varied salads (pasta, bean or greens) + fruits + snacks + drinks
Cold pizza + salads + sweet snacks (homemade cookies, muffins, etc.) + drinks

Once the menu is chosen, you can begin to plan what can be prepared the day before: the dressings for the salads, raw vegetables, fruits, drinks, etc. Come morning, all you’ll have to do is assemble the picnic!

Staple foods for a perfect picnic

Menu options don’t have to stop at sandwiches. What makes a picnic delicious and special are all the sides that come with it!

Watermelon slices or your favourite fruits
A layered salad with house dressing in a separate jar
Raw vegetables and dip
Cheese cubes
Pita and hummus
Chips
Homemade popcorn

Creative drinks to bring

Homemade Iced Tea

To make a delicious iced tea, all you need to do is infuse the tea bag in hot water by adding sugar to taste and lemon juice. Let cool for a few hours in the fridge and all you’ll have to do is fill up your thermoses before leaving for your picnic!

Refreshing infusions

You’ll be surprised at how simple it is to make this magical drink. All you have to do is add cucumber slices or lemon juice in your cold water to give it a refreshing taste. We’re warning you, this drink will become your new go-to this summer!

Drinks that fizzle

Do you prefer traditional style drinks? Did you know that you can make homemade sodas by combining your favourite fruit juice with sparkling water? It’s simple and super yummy!

No matter the combination, you can even add fresh fruits in your cup for an Instagram worthy result!

A cool picnic even when it’s hot

Once settled in the park, the biggest challenge is to keep your meal refrigerated long enough to be able to enjoy it. Here are a few items and simple tricks to help you out!

Use a cooler for the meals that have to stay cold
Use thermoses to keep drinks cold
Keep your foods in the fridge until the very last moment
To save space while keeping your food cold, replace ice packs with frozen juice boxes. They will have the time to thaw during the picnic and will be cold and refreshing! You can also bring ice pops that will not only keep your food cold, but can also serve as snacks.
If the location allows it, think to keep your food in the shade!

Now that you’re an expert in simple and delicious picnics, we wish you plenty of sun-filled days to enjoy them in!