SAVOUR Manitoba

Sparkling cont. F ew dining experiences are as simple as a picnic. Unless you're channeling your inner Downton Abbey, with servants at-the-ready to provide the perfect outdoor experience, you will be in charge of the preparation. Planning is always the key to success. Naturally, with any outdoor activity, keeping an eye on the weather is key. If you don't have a portable tent to cover your food, having an optional covered shelter is necessary. It would be a shame to put work into your day and then have wind and rain ruin everything. As with all events, the site and the style depend upon your budget. e number of guests and their preferences come into play too. It will also be easier to create a menu if you align the food and beverages with your guests' tastes. If your guests have champagne tastes and you're on an orange juice budget, a potluck picnic fits well. Others can share in the costs and bring items they know they'll enjoy. If you are hosting a family picnic and your sister's kids think cheese without a character on the package is gourmet, some kid-friendly options should be considered. You want them to join in and enjoy the event. A hungry kid can be a grumpy one. e Savour Manitoba team did a deep dive into social media and food shows to find the newest trends. Picnics have moved beyond checkered blankets, fried chicken and mayonnaise-laden salads. Finger-friendly seems to have overtaken these food choices. ere's a dizzying number of ideas, but our team believes in the following axiom: Great ingredients create great food. e rest comes down to your guest list, budget and time you have to dedicate to the picnic. Rest assured, you can create beautiful and tasty treats — even if you are not a chef. A simple finger-food-friendly option can come on a skewer. A classic option is the caprese salad on a stick. Simply thread juicy olives, grape tomatoes, mozza balls and rolled prosciutto onto a skewer. Take it up a notch by marinating them in great olive oil and white balsamic vinegar to prevent darkening of the mozza. (Frescolio has lovely options.) Drain the skewers before you pack. Seeing everyone with balsamic dripping off their chins is only inviting to the ants. Each of the ingredients, and the marinade above, can be swapped out for foods to please different palates. e above skewer can be transformed into a burger on a stick — try grape tomatoes, cheddar cheese, cooked meatballs and an optional pickle. ey can be served hot or cold. Keep mustard and ketchup dip handy to complete the skewer (and don't forget the biodegradable wipes). Every dip is a messy dip. e burger-on-a-stick option is great for those who have gluten issues (just ensure no gluten is added into the meatballs). And for vegans, swap the cheese and the meatball for vegan-friendly selections. is cheeseburger option is likely to be child- friendly too. Picky kids can literally pick off the foods they like. If there are a few kids at the event, watch for possible sword/ skewer fights to break out. Let's face it: it's part of the fun. e skewer also offers a quick dessert option. Swap out fruit, marshmallows or mild cheese on the skewer. A mix of flavoured yogurt and whipped cream (equal parts) makes a quick, tasty dip. Picnic Planning cont. Mix flavoured yogurt and whipped cream (equal parts) to make a quick, tasty dip. Assemble fruit, marshmallows or mild cheese on the skewer. DESSERT SKEWER 46 SAVOUR MANITOBA | SUMMER 24 PHOTOS BY DAVID LIPNOWSKI PHOTOGRAPHY

• Cover