Pittsburgh in spring perfect for picnics

The weather is finally decent (for Pittsburgh), finals are just days away from ending and people… The weather is finally decent (for Pittsburgh), finals are just days away from ending and people are starting to move out for the summer. It’s also picnic time.

You might think you have picnic protocol on lock, and I’m not saying that you don’t. But still, let’s take a moment to review the finer points of outdoor dining before embarking on this adventure.

As far as locales, your own backyard offers the convenience of running back into the kitchen for whatever you’ve forgotten to pack, but a more distant park or meadow is undoubtably more scenic and novel. Pittsburgh is riddled with scenic green spaces you probably haven’t had the chance to appreciate; take the opportunity to seek out a new one now.

A red-and-white checkered tablecloth, while a nice touch, is hardly requisite, but bringing something to sit on in the very likely event that the ground will be dirty is probably wise. Other than that, friends and food are the only absolute requirements. The friends you’re on your own for, hopefully I can help you with the cuisine.

Sandwiches might seem ideally suited for the occasion on the grounds of convenience, but beware that they might go mushy before you get a chance to enjoy them — consider how long it will take to trek to your location. Pro tip for peanut butter and jelly: Spread a thin layer of peanut butter on both slices of the bread before adding the jelly. This will prevent the jelly from oozing through the bread. If sandwiches bore you, you might consider branching out into that sister field of picnicking, barbecuing.

I take no issue with blurring the lines between picnic and barbecue if the logistics of grilling pan out for you. But please — and I cannot emphasize this enough — please check if open fires are permitted on whatever premises on which you’re picnicking. Being kicked out of and/or burning down your favorite park is no way to celebrate summer.

You’re probably well-acquainted with barbecuing burgers and hot dogs, but if those tailgate staples bore you, consider branching out to chicken or ribs, or even steak or salmon if you’re going for a more upscale vibe. Kabobs are another fun and easy option and a good way of incorporating fruits and vegetables, not to mention the ease of eating off a skewer.

Make sure whatever you’re cooking isn’t too thick or the exterior will burn before the inside is done, transforming your would-be tasty meal into a half-raw charcoaled mess.  Grilling can be a healthier way of cooking since much of the fat will drip into the fire, but be careful of possible flare-ups. And should there be cooking flaws, judicious amounts of ketchup, mustard and/or cheese can usually rectify them.

Bottles of water or soda are obviously fine, but for the full ripping-off-that-heart-wrenching-scene-from-“Up” effect, bring along a canteen of lemonade.

Minimizing necessary utensils is definitely desirable; the less you have to drag around in your wicker basket the better. Thus you’ll want to err on the side of desserts and side dishes  that don’t require plates and knives, such as chips and pretzels or cookies and brownies.

Hopefully you’ve enjoyed your culinary outing into the great outdoors, but please make sure you leave it nice for others to enjoy: Take home everything you brought with you, and recycle when applicable.