OUICOOK: HOW TO PICNIC LIKE THE FRENCH 

Happy National Picnic Day or ‘pique-nique’ in French. A picnic is an outdoor meal that became popular in French after the French Revolution. Before the French Revolution, only the nobility was allowed to enter the parks in France.  In 1789, the parks opened to the public and picnics became very popular.

Today National Picnic Day is celebrated in many countries and this year the day is Saturday, June 18th. So, get out your basket and obligatory picnic blanket – it is time for an outdoor French tradition.

Pack a red and white check cloth, a wicker style basket for bread and bits and pieces and some pretty dishes to serve up some yummy food which should include a baguette and French cheese at the very least!

 

 

No need to cook for the classic French picnic.

Picnics can be simple with bread, butter and charcuterie – and of course a nice bottle of wine.  Choice ingredients are key and the most important is BREAD “le pain”!

 

The Bread

Find a high-quality bakery and chose the perfect bread for your picnic – a baguette. Baguettes are an essential part of every French picnic. Spread it with butter, pate or cheese.

 

The Butter

Try one with ‘Fleur de Sel’. Fleur de Sel means flowers of salt. Fleur de Sel are pyramid shaped salt crystals when combined with churned butter make an irresistible butter great for spreading on bread. The French cultured butter can be found in many grocery stores or gourmet shops. It should be served at room temperature.

 

The best products to keep your butter cold:

 

The Charcuterie

The French love ham ‘jambon’! We are not taking about the typical deli ham although that would suffice. The French adore a salty ham. Try to find Madrange French ham or Trader Joe’s sells a Rosemary ham. Spread a slice of the baguette with butter and layer a few slices of ham and make the perfect jambon-beurre.

 

The perfect cheese boards:

 

Seasonal Produce

Grapes, apples figs or fruits in season are the perfect addition to your French picnic basket. Crudités of carrots, radishes or celery if you desire something savory. Whatever your choice –  pick the seasons best!

Last but not least, find the perfect spot to enjoy National Picnic Day. Whether a soft grassy place under the shade of a tree, by the lake of near the beach, sit back and enjoy the flavors of a perfect French picnic.

Our favorite products for a Picnic:

 

Our Best picnic baskets:

 

Our Best picnic cloths

 

Et voilà! Enjoy National Picnic Day the French way!

 

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