Among other things, July is National Picnic Month. The warm North Carolina weather in the summer gives us a good reason to celebrate the being outdoors with family and friends and our favorite to celebrate is by having a picnic.
Traditional foods: Hot dogs, hamburgers, BBQ, sandwiches, slaw, potato salad, fruit, brownies, and of course, deviled eggs!
What to bring: Whether you’re hosting a picnic or attending as a guest, it is important to always be prepared. We’ve compiled a list of necessary items to ensure you have what you need for the perfect picnic:
1. Blanket: This is essential for a picnic in the park – you’ll be glad you brought something to sit on!
2. Utensils, plates, & napkins: These items are often forgotten. For a classy touch, pick up a set of “plastic silverware” to give the look of real silver that you can recycle! Sometimes a lap is the only “table” used during a picnic, so make sure you use heavy-duty plates that won’t break or leak.
3. Transportable containers: Since picnics usually involve cooking food at home and eating it somewhere else, make sure you have good containers in which to store your food. This Storage Eggtainer from Snap ‘N Stack is great for carrying your deviled eggs from your kitchen to your destination!
4. Good food: This is a must for any picnic. Bring simple foods that pack a lot of flavor. No need to go to extremes to win the “best dish” award. Some of the best dishes are the easiest to prepare. Here are our summer salad recipes – perfect for Picnics!
Best Picnic Spots in North Carolina:
1. Mt. Mitchell (Burnsville, NC): The highest peak in the Eastern United States
2. Duke Gardens (Durham, NC): “South Lawn” of the Terrace Gardens
3. The Biltmore Estate (Asheville, NC)
4. Bicentennial Garden (Greensboro, NC)
5. Marshall Park (Charlotte, NC)
Here are our main tips about picnicking with Deviled Eggs:
No-mess method: Combine egg yolks, with your favorite ingredients in 1-quart plastic food-storage bag. Press out air and seal bag. Press and roll bag with hand until mixture is well blended. Push filling toward bottom corner of bag. Snip off about 1/2-inch of corner. Squeeze yolk mixture from bag into egg whites.
Picnic tip: Prepare filling in plastic bag, as above. Carry whites and yolk mixture separately in cooler. Fill eggs on the spot, pressing filling out of snipped corner of bag.
