PICNIC: 125 Recipes with 29 Seasonal Menus Review

Average Reviews:

(More customer reviews)First off, it is nigh impossible to find a decent cookbook for less than $..., but to find a great cookbook for under $... (Amazon's price), is a true discovery.
But we need to beg the question: even if it is a bargain, do you need another book just for picnics? I mean, picnics are simple, right? Chicken, potato salad, wine, salt, pepper and some napkins. Well, if you have picnic atrophy and go only once a year, then you're fine with the 'Colonel.' However, if you, by chance, plan to cultivate the cultured outdoor dining side of you, Stovel is your mentor.
Stovel breaks up the book into the four seasons, and within each season she gives multiple menus (Spring 6, Summer 12, Fall 7 and Winter 4 menus). Each menu normally has five items. For example: Stovel's, 'Spring Day-Hike Picnic' menu has: grilled chicken fillets in a spinach wrap, artichoke salad, carrot sticks, gingerbread and fruit, with herbal iced tea. Her menus are thoughtful, flavorful, and balanced by having only one or two unique items out of the five. Her recipes are easy to follow and very tasty. This is a text only, there are no photos of the plates.
I thought Picnics were fun, kinda fast, intimate (like for two) and cheap. But the recipes here are for eight people! I have never had a picnic with eight people. I have had a church gathering and a Super Bowl sporting event, but not a picnic with eight people.Perhaps Stovel comes from a large family and see her readers bringing mom, dad, grandma and the five kids along; but in today's world of virtual families, recipes for eight are an overkill. Thus, because my picnics are for two, every recipe has to be cut in half and then I still have a picnic basket of left overs.
Also, sometimes, the ingredients for these recipes doubled my weekly grocery budget. For example, the ingredients for the 'Artichoke Salad' (pg.16) set me back $16 by the time I bought three jars of marinated artichoke hearts $9, six sun-dried tomatoes [you gotta buy the whole jar] $4, mushrooms, scallions, etc. Or consider the 'Fresh Fruit Bowl Kaleidoscope' costing more than $17 not counting the Grand Marnier Liqueur' which is a heart-stopping $4, just for 50ml.
These points aired, this is a wonderful book that has recipes that can be used year round, picnic or not (Try 'Tante's Coffee Cake' and 'Currant Oat Scones' - Excellent). 'Picnic' is an excellent buy for the money. Recommended. 4 stars

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