My man at the Times, Mark Bittman, is up to his old 101 tricks again. This time, he offers 101 20-minute recipes for make-ahead foods to bring on your summer picnics.  The list is helpfully subdivided:

• Yummy twists on deli-style salads
• Raw Veggies
• Bean, Rice & Grain Salads
• Potato Salads & Egg Salads
• Cooked Veggies
• Fruit
• Seafood
• Meat & Poultry
• Sandwiches
• Cold Noodles
• Desserts
  

What are your tried-and-true picnic recipes?

One of my favorite picnic foods is a steak salad.  Steak keeps well; just add the dressing and the steak immediately before serving so the greens and veggies don’t get too greasy and wilted.  Here’s a recipe for “Solstice Steak Salad” that I came up with a couple weekends ago.  I grilled the steak and corn, but you could do it under a broiler before you leave for your afternoon in sun.

Now, my hungry fffffoodies, when are we meeting in Prospect Park?? (Ok, fine, I’ll settle for Central, if I must.)

xx Nora

9am