{"id":57240,"date":"2016-07-11T09:37:12","date_gmt":"2016-07-11T13:37:12","guid":{"rendered":"http:\/\/wanderlust.com\/?p=57240"},"modified":"2016-07-11T10:50:41","modified_gmt":"2016-07-11T14:50:41","slug":"the-recipe-for-a-perfect-picnic","status":"publish","type":"post","link":"https:\/\/wanderlust.com\/fr\/journal\/the-recipe-for-a-perfect-picnic\/","title":{"rendered":"The Recipe for a Perfect Picnic"},"content":{"rendered":"

The sun was just beginning to dip into the Western horizon as the black-and-white film began to illuminate the grass. We lounged on a paisley-printed sheet, the fabric layered with plates of hummus, Baba Ganoush, bread, dijon mustard<\/a>, mini\u00a0cornichons<\/a>, and fat, red grapes. <\/span><\/p>\n

The delicious and dainty clink\u00a0of wine echoed as we poured our drinks into mason jars. My friends and I were dining at the\u00a0Hollywood Cemetery for a\u00a0summer movie night, enjoying the stars (in every sense of the word). Like most picnics, it was a romantic feast for the senses, and an evening hard to forget. <\/span><\/p>\n

Picnic purists\u2014if there is such a thing\u2014may argue that a picnic needs to be held on a\u00a0cloth-covered table or in a field of wildflowers,\u00a0but I think no. In my picnic basket, the presence of a blanket, good friends, and a spread of finger food fits the bill… And I’m likely in good company. Outdoor meals have been enjoyed since the Middle Ages, when they were utilized to celebrate successful hunts.\u00a0<\/span>Now we see them in vineyards, while camping, on the beach, in the backyard, and even in a cemetery. They all have one thing simple thing \u00a0in common: Picnics are held outdoors. <\/span><\/p>\n

So what is it about dining outdoors that feel so romantic? There\u2019s a certain whimsy that comes with the comfort of nature, sort of like being in your favorite fairy tale. And with no walls to shield you from the elements, you likely feel an increased sense of freedom. You can run your hands through the grass, allow the breeze to warm your face, or inhale the smell of cool moss. Picnics, in short, delight the senses in ways other meals just don’t.\u00a0<\/span><\/p>\n

Throwing the Perfect Picnic<\/h3>\n

Transform your picnic into a \u201cfine dining\u201d experience with just a few simple elements. Here are some of our favorite ideas. <\/span><\/p>\n