SUBMITTED PHOTO Here's a Super Sandwich to help make your summer picnic a big success.
Oh I love summer! I think I’ve started saying that several times a day for the past few weeks. I love the colours, the smells, the heat, the bright blue sky, the fresh veggies and fruits growing, the birds singing, picnics — just everything. Maybe it’s even more precious this year after such a long winter.
I’m sitting watching my oldest son Josiah help work in our yard. We are still cleaning up broken branches and trimming dead tree branches from wind storms. My mind meandered back to a time when he was a little boy and we built a wooden treehouse in our back yard. He spent endless hours playing in it, first alone then eventually sharing it with three younger brothers — not by his choice he reminds me.
He and I would frequently have picnic lunches or just snacks together in the treehouse. There is something magically fun about eating in a treehouse. We were pirates or explorers on a boat or working guys — I was Sally, he was Mac. So much fun. Eating outside in the sun is amazing all on its own but call it a ‘Picnic’ — spread out a fun colourful blanket, unpack food in unique containers, set it out to display its scrumptious beauty and the smiles start.
Picnics can be as simple or complicated as you want to make them. You can throw some cheese, olives and a baguette in a basket and set out with your blanket and pretend you are in France. You can do a picnic potluck in the park with family or friends and share your food together. You might have a little portable barbecue you can use to grill wieners, burgers or even chicken or steak. It can be a romantic getaway for a couple or a quick lunch break on a road trip or at a playground with your kids. Anything goes as long as there is food and fun.
Any way you plan your picnic big or small it’s sure to be a success in the sizzle of summer. It’s such a simple yet wonderful way to make memories that you will cherish for a lifetime.
Here is a unique sandwich idea to make your picnic perfect.
Joanne Smith is a registered dietitian.
Super Sandwich
1 round loaf of bread about 8 inches in diameter
3 Tbsp olive oil
2 Tbsp balsamic vinegar
Pinch of salt – freshly ground if possible
Pinch of freshly ground pepper
Pinch of red chili flakes
4 Tbsp basil pesto
One-half cup black or kalamata olives pitted and chopped
1 Tbsp capers
4 marinated artichoke hearts chopped fine
10 slices provolone or havarti cheese
2 roasted marinated red peppers sliced into thin strips
3 cups baby spinach
Thinly sliced meat of choice (cervelat salami is good)
The night before your picnic, slice the loaf in half horizontally. Place the bottom half on a plate. Mix the olive oil, balsamic vinegar, salt, pepper and red chili flakes together. Brush this mixture over the bottom half of the bread. Spread the pesto onto the top half of the bread. Mix the olives, capers and artichoke hearts together and sprinkle evenly over the bottom half of the bread. Cover this layer with provolone cheese then a layer of red pepper slices then spinach followed by a layer of salami or meat of choice. Place the top half over the bottom and cover with a piece of wax paper. Then place something heavy like a pizza stone over it to press it down. This makes it easier to eat. Put in refrigerator overnight. The next morning cut the loaf into 8 wedges and wrap individual portions. Delicious served with pickles, sliced veggies, watermelon and frosty iced lemonade.
