Picnic Pleasures

By Lori Powell

Grab some blankets and gather the gang for a feast on the grass. Our mix-and-match sandwich recipes are simple and tasty -- and everything is perfectly portable.

Cheryl Zibisky

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Outdoor Bliss

Relaxing on one of the first warm afternoons with a picnic spread -- what could be more blissful? With this lunch plan, we've made things super flexible so you can completely savor the moment. Instead of toting prepared sandwiches, pack loaves of presliced bread, deli meats like chicken, turkey, and roast beef (2 1/2 to 3 pounds for six to eight people), lettuce, cheeses, fresh fruit, and containers filled with our scrumptious sandwich spreads and sauces: Horseradish-Parmesan Sauce; White Bean Spread; Red Onion Confit; Swiss Chard, Pine Nut and Raisin Topping; and Curried Cucumber Yogurt. Then you can delve into the spontaneous fun of making your own sandwich on the picnic blanket. To round out the meal, nibble on a Squash Blossom Tart and Brownie-Peanut Butter Gems. You'll never want to go back indoors!

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