Picnic Packets

The Farmers Market ingredients were cut and cooked in packets to take to our picnic destination at Pleasant Creek. I make many of the components of our picnic meal the evening before, refrigerate and transport in ice packs on the day of the picnic.  The drive and meal are totally relaxing!

The entree packet contained an assortment of diced vegetables from the market:  red potatoes, butternut squash, carrots, green onions and celery.  The sliced sausage from the local farm added a terrific flavor, as did the orange juice and minced dried apricots.  I sprinkled some dried thyme and baked at 375 for 20 minutes, then opened the foil packet, raising the oven temperature to 450 and continued for another 20 minutes.  The morning of the picnic, I added diced cherry tomatoes.

That's local cantaloupe to the side, garden cucumbers and local peaches in cream for dessert.  It was a filling and enjoyable meal!

Today's picnic was at Pleasant Creek Wildlife Management Area near Phillippi, West Virginia. There is a beautiful lake, with fishing, boating and kayaking.  Also on grounds is a camping area (where we found the table) and a shooting range.  

 The day was, as in the location, "Pleasant"!