Pack the Perfect Picnic

No Campfire S'mores

• Graham crackers
• Marshmallow fluff
• Chocolate spread

Add the chocolate spread to your graham cracker, pile on the marshmallow fluff, and place second graham cracker on top. Enjoy!

There are times when you want a picnic that caters more to grown-up tastes. Maybe you want to have a light dinner at an outdoor concert, or a romantic sunset meal for two on the beach. Whatever your plans, well-packed and delectable picnic foods will make it a memorable time.

Here are some tips for a classy and cool picnic:

• Don't overload the basket. Some fruit, cheese, lunch meat, bread and dessert is all you'll need along with your favorite wine or beverage.
• If you're using crackers, bring along an assortment. Cracked wheat, butter crisps or flatbreads work well. Or you can stick with the classic: a loaf of crusty French bread.
• Choosing the meat is simple. It can either be a quality summer sausage or your favorite deli meat. Black forest ham and roast beef both are good choices when bought by the pound unsliced. Just be sure to have the proper cutlery for hand slicing or cubing meats.
• A dry white wine or a nice pinot noir is best suited for this type of picnic, but a chilled berry tea can be just as satisfying.
• End the picnic with butter cookies or biscotti and dark chocolates.

If you like fancy, flavored cheeses, they can be found at your local supermarket. If you're feeling adventurous, you can make your own:

Place cheese in container and spoon mixture around and over cheese. Place your cheese in a secure container and it's ready to be transported in a cold, insulated carrier.