It’s hard to say why, but eating outdoors makes things taste better, right? Take advantage of summer weather, local parks, and public outdoor spaces and plan your next picnic with a few must-haves and prep-ahead recipes.
What are we drinking? Tempting as it may be to break out the bubbly or crack a cold one, not every outdoor space in Metro Vancouver has loosened up the rules on alcohol in public. So, stick with a non-alcoholic classic and crowd-pleaser like fresh raspberry iced tea instead.
RECIPE
- 8-10 black tea bags of black tea
- 2 cups sugar
- 8 cups boiling water
- 2 cups + ¼ cup cold water
- 2x 6-ounce containers of raspberries
- Plenty of ice
METHOD
- In a large pitcher (that you can find at Hudson’s Bay) steep the tea bags in boiling water and add the sugar, stirring to dissolve. Let the tea bags steep for 20-25 minutes.
- Soften the raspberries in a medium saucepan over medium heat with ¼ cup water. Press the softened berries through a fine-mesh strainer. Reserve the liquid and discard pulp and seeds.
- Remove the tea bags (don’t lose count!) and add the raspberry liquid to the pitcher along with the remaining cold water.
- Serve over ice and enjoy.
What are we eating? While there will always be classics like finger sandwiches, deviled eggs, and pasta salad, picnics are a great time to debut a new recipe. And what’s better than a tasty and delicious meal you can make ahead of time? Watermelon salad, anyone?
RECIPE
- 1 cucumber, cut into bite-size chunks
- 1 jalapeno finely diced
- 1/3 cup sweet mint
- 4 cups of seedless watermelon cubed
- ¼ cup red onion
- 2tbsp lime juice
- 2tbsp olive oil
- ½ cup crumbled feta
METHOD
- Combine all ingredients except the mint in a large serving bowl and mix thoroughly
- Add mint just before serving
What are we playing? Picnics are a great time to dust off the jump rope, practice your best frisbee throw, and make the most of being outdoors with room to play. Be sure to pack park toys like hacky sacks, bubbles, kickballs, or a baseball and glove. Don’t have all the toys and equipment at your disposal? Consider using what’s available in nature—like fallen pinecones or small twigs—as markers for games. Or flex your creativity and imagination and invent your own! Find all this and more at Sport Chek.
What are we wearing? When you’re heading out for fun in the sun, it’s important to make sure you’re cool, comfortable, and covered. In addition to sunscreen, light layers from Aldila Boutique or Warehouse One are also a great way to protect yourself from too much sun exposure while remaining stylish. If you’re near the water, or the spray park, kimonos, wraps, and light shirts and cardigans make an effortless cover-up that you may not want to take off.
Take advantage of all that beautiful British Columbia has to offer and enjoy your time outdoors. Bon appetit!