It’s a Sunday morning and the world is still asleep. The summer sun nudges into your kitchen, and you realize that it is the perfect day for a picnic. You dig out the wicker basket you almost get rid of two or three times a year, justifying its continued existence for just a little bit longer. But you are arrested by a thought: What should I bring? Between sizing the dimensions of a whole watermelon and wondering if there is any health benefit to macaroni salad over normal mac and cheese, you realize you are in way over your head. Not to fear—we’ve got you covered. Check out some culture recipes we’ve put together to create our perfect, cheesy picnic basket!
1. Perpetual Goatstopper Cheese Bite
This recipe has four things going for it. First, it’s super easy to make, so it’s perfect if you are rushed to get some rays. Second, we know that you are going to want something to munch on while you are scoping out the perfect blanket spot, and you can just roll right through these. Third, these cheese bites are inventive (candied ginger and fruity cereal?!) so you can impress a date (or just yourself) with your culinary mastery. Finally, the name. If Willy Wonka were a cheesemonger, even he wouldn’t think of the “perpetual goatstopper.”
2. BelGioioso Crescenza-Stracchino Raspberry Salad
The joggers are out, and you found the perfect spot in the shade to people-watch. You feel a little guilty about your low heart rate and food basket, so you reach for your salad. Don’t worry, though—if summer means one thing, it’s fruity delicacies hiding in some arugula, masquerading as salad. This recipe is simple and flavorful, and it sets the perfect tone for an afternoon in the grass.
3. Gruyère, Apricot, and Prosciutto “Hot Pockets”
Right when you’re craving something savory, you spot the foil triangles under your other food. The prosciutto and the apricot is the perfect intersection of not-too-sweet and not-too-savory, and the Gruyère will be refreshing after the richer goat cheese and Crescenza-Stracchino you just ate. These are also pretty easy to make!
4. Pasta Salad with Paradiso, Chicken, and Arugula
You knew a pasta salad would emerge sooner or later. This one is delightfully subtle; Paradiso is a slightly sweeter alternative to parmesan, and the cherry tomatoes will pair excellently with the tangy, tart dressing. Just don’t let the ants beat you there!
5. Coach Farm Blueberry Chèvre Cheesecake Squares with Pistachio Shortbread Crust
If you made it the whole meal without breaking into these, you’re a better person than me. This dessert captures all the sweetness of a Sunday afternoon. Try to find some fresh-picked blueberries to really do this one justice.
Robbie Herbst
Robbie Herbst is a summer editorial intern and an undergrad at Dartmouth College, where he enjoys access to the unimaginably quaint cheese-makers of the upper valley. When he isn’t writing or playing violin, he likes to take bricks of Cabot Extra Sharp Cheddar on long hikes through the White Mountains.
