Picnic: 125 Recipes with 29 Seasonal Menus

There is really only one thing I want from a cookbook: recipes. I don't care about the preaching on food safety or environmental concerns. Really. I don't. If I wanted a book on that, I'd buy it. What I want are recipes and just get to the recipes! This book resorts to this very fluff in order to fill the book.As for the recipes, I was very excited to see that this boasts recipes for all seasons. I was buying this because I'm taking a winter trip and would like to have a romantic winter picnic. I used to live in Alaska, so I'm not talking that kind, but this time it'll be in Socal and I live along the Gulf Coast. You see that winter weather here is more like Autumn for most.Anyway, I selected this book for its winter ideas. I was really disappointed to find that though this book does have a few all seasons recipes, they are very few. Summer has only 7% less than what Spring, Autumn and Winter have combined. I'm not talking about number of pages or recipes, but Kindle gives us percentages, so I'm talking percentage wise of each of those chapters.If you're wanting a frugal picnicking cookbook, then this is not the one for you. From Grilled Salmon Fillets to Artichoke Salad to Barbecued Butterflied Lamb, these are not for budget households. The foods are expensive, but they are also very elegant and upscale. As far as that is concerned, you have to decide for yourself which you prefer.Another thing is the amount of alcoholic drinks without substitutions is a problem for many. My ex couldn't drink any alcohol (he was an alcoholic) and I think because of my many years him, I just don't have a taste for it. Either way, it is disappointing that there were not some creative suggestions for drinks that didn't have alcohol. Obviously not all drinks have alcohol but each menu does suggest it and does not suggest an alternative.Now that's the bad. How about the good? The good is that the recipes do sound original (there are a few in there that aren't; like the chocolate chip cookie recipe -- I've made the same cookies for over 30 years and my kids, now grown, still act like children when they eat them). There are a lot of things in there that I had not thought about, as far as picnic foods. Many sound very good and I look forward to trying the high number of summer recipes provided. As mentioned above, there are a lot of elegant dishes so if you're out to impress someone, this is a good source.I have both a paperback copy and a Kindle version. I saw where someone complained about the Kindle version's format. The formatting is actually very good. The problem stems from the size of the Kindle. If you turn it where it's longer width-wise, it'll format much better. Also, turn off highlighting if you have it on. That often obscures part of what you're trying to read. Anyway, I don't usually use my cookbooks on my Kindle, but on my Kindle for PC, which makes it even easier to see. The one thing that I don't like about the Kindle is its lack of photos and illustrations. Gee, I guess I need to check my paperback because I can't remember if it has them or not. I won't say since I'm uncertain.All in all, it's helpful but not the book I was hoping it would be. The recipes do sound delicious and if that's all you're after (and money isn't an issue) then this is the book for you. If you're looking for recipes that are outside of Summer, then look into other books first and compare to this one. If you're on a budget, then skip it entirely.

great book fun ideas and great pictures

Love this book. I loved the planned menus and the themes. I may not prepare every picnic according to the planned menu but I really appreciated the thoroughness and thought that went into creating every picnic plan. In addition to the planned picnic menu, there are suggestions for wine choices and lists of additional items needed for the planned picnic ("what else to take"). These are great suggestions because you have to consider the other items you need to add to your picnic basket in addition to your great food. My favorite menu is the "Moonlight on a Mountaintop Picnic" because I love the menu, but I live in California, on the coast, so I see this as more of a Sunset Picnic that I can adapt to my specific location. That is the value I see in this book - you can take every menu, every picnic composition and translate it to your own environment.

A good resource of recipes for picnicking. Make take-along spreads for many outings. 125 recipes, like artichoke salad, gingerbread, chilled asparagus, bundt cake and lots more. Great for a romantic day out or spending time with a group of friends. Also included are suggestions of what else to take along, like chairs, umbrella, blanket, books and sunscreen. This book is very handy and would make a great gift as well.

Would of like more presentation for gourmet picnic prefer t for couple gift

The book provides recipes, ideas, photos - everything you need to keep your picnics fun and creative! Picnics are for everyone and can be enjoyed anywhere - if you are someone who enjoys the fun and relaxation a picnic provides, there is something for you in this book. From the basic picnic to something a little more elegant. From cold winter day outings to the lazy days of summer by the river... there is a menu/recipe/idea for you in this book. We go on different types of picnics throughout the year - at the beach, at the park, on the soccer field or, in the autumn forest - and this book has helped me refresh the ideas.Also great for people who are just thinking "a picnic sounds like a fun, new thing to do...."

I like the new ideas on picnics. Like how to have one during lunch at work. Liked the new twist on some ole favorites. I dislike no pictures of some of the recipes.

I gave this with a picnic basket as a wedding gift. Looks like a book full of recipes that they will be able to use on picnic.

The cookbook arrived with many recipies relating to having lunch out with family and friends. The cookbook it's self does have many recipies inside that could be used on an outting. However, the lunches for myself were rather elaberate and not everyone would be interested in trying something different while out and about. If using this cookbook try one of the recipies and take that with you. In the back of your mind stick with what you and your family will eat.Anne

I don't like to post a bad review, but I was dissapointed with this one. I was hoping to find somewhat simple recipes that would be easy to take on our daytrips on the boat. But this book is full of complicated things I wouldn't even try serving at home. Most things need to be served hot, including a lot of soups, etc. and be put into thermoses. I could do that with any old recipe.

Me gustan los libros de cocina con fotos, porque a mi me gusta disfrutarlos tanto como haciendo sus recetas como viendo sus fotos, este libro tiene buenas recetas y buenas ideas, pero, carece de fotos que a mi opinión le hace perder bastante.

Tiene muy buenas ideas para la planeación de un día de campo, no solo de recetas de comida.