Summer To Do: Portable Picnic Charcuterie

Picnics. Sometimes that word seems like nothing much more than wilted lettuce on sammies. Other times it seems overly intimidating - what to bring, how to make sure it doesn't spoil...how can we not eat the same old watermelon and pasta salad for the 4th weekend in a row!? Not this year! We're hitting the road (the park, the beach and heck, even an outdoor concert or two) this summer with a chic portable picnic charcuterie that is a snap to assemble and enjoy anywhere you want to go. Fancy finger foods don't have to be enjoyed with the restrictions of sitting indoors on a wood board - let's mobilize these vibrant flavors and let them out into the wild.

Here's 5 easy steps to make your outing extra special!

1. Get yourself setup with quality ingredients:

There are a lot of different options when it comes to putting together charcuterie. But there are definitely some staples to consider such as Jambon Sec, Saucisson Sec and Pâté. Oh and pickles! Always make sure there is something pickled or two in the mix - like cornichons and petite red peppers. By curating a thoughtful selection of quality ingredients to feature, you make the experience seem even more decadent!

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2:Make your Pâté Pretty:

All you need are a few delicate details and a tiffin tin to be on your way to mastering portable Pâté. Where the flavors of this spread need no enhancement, a swoosh of dijon, a sprig of fresh herb, and a sprinkle of edible blooms can make this a feast for the eyes as well. I like to store an empty tiffin tin in the freezer overnight before filling, that way your Pâté will stay cool in transport!

3. Forget the board, put it on a pick:

When you're taking things on the go, the less to haul along the better (besides, you might want to save room for that bottle of wine). Create a charcuterie skewer stacked with different combinations of meats and pickles. I love to add a little extra detail to the arrangement by wrapping a cornichon with a thin slice of Jambon, making for the perfect bite!

4. Package it all up in style and on a budget:

Don't blow your budget on pricy picnic sets. Grab a basket from the craft store and fill it with your tiffin tins and a simple cafe carafe and glasses. Skip the triple thread count blankets and hit up the bulk bin at the fabric store to create a one-of-a-kind throw made from a few yards of fabric - which you can perfectly theme for your particular adventure. Be sure to pluck a bloom or two along the way to set the final scene.// <![CDATA[ if (!window.AdButler){(function(){var s = document.createElement("script"); s.async = true; s.type = "text/javascript";s.src = 'http://ab169147.adbutler-tachyon.com/app.js';var n = document.getElementsByTagName("script")[0]; n.parentNode.insertBefore(s, n);}());} // ]]</p></div>