Hey everyone!!
Is anyone else out there freaking out because it’s September already? Where did the summer go?! I want it back 🙁 I hope everyone had an amazing summer… I know mine was the best ever! Last week for Labor Day it was my best friend Neil’s birthday so I decided to do something a little more special then just buy him any old birthday present. Our favorite thing to do is: go out to eat. Our favorite thing to talk about is: food. Our favorite thing to dream about: food in other countries we’re dying to eat. Sooo, since we live down in sunny Florida I thought a nice beach picnic with all of our friends sounded amazing! 
It went off without a hitch and since there’s still a little summer left I decided to be nice and share with you the secrets to the perfect beach picnic. 
When thinking of food to bring to the beach you want to be careful and not do anything too exotic and crazy ( as much as I wish I could!). The keys is to do things that people can just pick up and eat while they’re they walking around or swimming. For my picnic I made up the most amazing Pressed Layer Sandwich ever.
It’s great because you can make them that morning and slice the loaf into the portions you desire, wrap them up and stick them in your cooler. When someone wants them they can take out their own delicious sandwich! You can find the recipe here: http://www.gourmetwithblakely.com/2011/09/pressed-layer-sandwich/ Also, I bought some gorgeous pears, apples, and grapes. Sliced them up along with some Gouda cheese, White Cheddar cheese, Boursin cheese, and some delicious Goat cheese. I put it all on a cute cutting board and let everyone just get them as they pleased. I set out some delicious buttery crackers and it was a hit!
They didn’t last very long with my friends but if you think people might be a little slow eating it, I’d cut the fruit in advanced and let them sit in some water with a big squeeze of lemon in it to prevent them from oxidizing and turning that horrible brown color that certainly isn’t appetizing! Another thing I bring which is classic for a beach picnic is some cut up watermelon. You can’t go wrong with that! Now, When its scorching hot out you HAVE to have a delicious cocktail to wash all the yummy food down with! My reccomendation is: Watermelon Gin and Tonic, or my amazing Bimbo Cilantro Margarita.
I bring my cocktail of choice in a plastic pitcher that has a lid on it (so it doesn’t spill all in the cooler). Bring some cute plastic cups ( Target has great ones!) along with a cooler full of ice, water, and beer of course. Here’s the drink recipes: http://www.gourmetwithblakely.com/2011/06/watermelondrea-n-tonic/ http://www.gourmetwithblakely.com/2011/06/bimbo-cilantro-margarita/
Most people only bring a towel to lay on but the secret to a great picnic is bringing a huge old blanket that everyone can sit on!! Also, its always a good idea to bring some portable speakers so you can listen to your favorite beach playlist on your ipod. I’m also that weirdo that is constantly playing games or swimming on the beach. I can’t just sit there and lay for too long. I get too hot! So I always like to bring a football so everyone can be entertained and have fun. And of course you have to have some rafts to lay on while frolicking in the waves and some sunscreen so you don’t look like a lobster! Other things to bring that you wouldn’t think of : trash bags and paper towels! They’ll come in handy. Make sure to take advantage of those last warm summer days by going to the beach 🙂 Happy September!!… and happy birthday Neil 🙂 
Gourmet With Blakely
