As you flip through my picnic pages, you'll see I've put together lots of new picnic ideas, including the different kinds of recipes and menus I tend to choose when planning an outdoor picnic. These menus range from ultra simple to elegant and complex. This menu is one of my very favorites, because it's the perfect balance between elegant and adult, and totally kid-pleasing. It works just as well for a group of adult friends as a family of four. Or eight. Click each dish for the recipe, or click the link above for the whole menu and recipes.

Main Dishes:
Chevre, Leek, and Shallot Tart
Simple Roasted Chicken, Served Cold

Side Dishes:
Spinach Salad with Leeks, Apples, and Pecans
French bread

Dessert:
Easy Pastry-Free Dutch Apple Pie

Very few things are as wonderfully romantic as a private little picnic in a shady little spot. And you don't need a bunch of fancy, expensive, complicated food to do it. This romantic menu is simple, elegant, and tastes divine.

Main Dish:
Turkey, Avocado, and Brie Sandwiches with Herb Mayonnaise

Side Dishes:
French Green Bean, Cucumber, and Red Potato Salad
Cold Tomato, Garlic, and Basil Soup

Dessert:
Chocolate-covered strawberries or Chocolate Nutella Mousse
Chilled Champagne

Ooh-la-la! If you really want to impress, the simplest menu can make the most impact. This wonderful, simple menu is made of up wonderful French cheese and wine, and a lot of little extras your guests will love.

Main Dishes:
Selection of French Cheeses
Ham, Port, and Gruyere Olive Bread
Duck pate and Green Olive Tapenade
French Bread
Sliced Pears and Apples
Served with: French Wines

Dessert:
Palmiers
Ripe strawberries
Chilled Champagne

Nowhere do they pull off a picnic like in the American south. This is the quintessential classic picnic, complete with cold fried chicken and buttermilk biscuits.

Main Dish:
Oven-Fried Picnic Chicken, cold

Side Dishes:
Buttermilk Biscuits
Spinach Bacon Salad with Honey-Bacon Dressing
Roasted Garlic and Potato Salad

Dessert:
Easy Pastry-Free Dutch Apple Pie
Sliced Chilled Watermelon (or vodka melon for the adults!)

There's no reason why feeding the whole family should mean choosing boring picnic foods. Don't stick to PB & J! This menu is made of up creative, elegant recipes that will please both kids and adults. Really!

Main Dish:
Chicken and Boursin Stuffed Pastry Triangles

Side Dishes:
Roasted Tomato Salad with Basil
Italian Baked Potato Salad
Crusty French bread or Ciabatta

Dessert:
Brownies, chocolate cookies, or cupcakes
Fresh berries

You don't have to be sitting under a tree in Tuscany to have an authentic Italian picnic. This simple menu is filling, fun, and has something for everybody. After all, how can you go wrong with Italian?

Main Dishes:
Cheese and Meat Antipasto Platter
Eggplant Caponata
Ciabatta Bread or Foccacia

Dessert: White Chocolate, Coconut, and Limoncello Truffles
Fresh fruit
Chilled Prosecco or Limoncello

The menus above can be a great choice for a picnic! But you don't have to stick to my menus, or even my recipes. With some many great recipe resources on the web, the sky's the limit. With some of the great picnic food and recipe ideas below, you won't have any problem putting together a great picnic menu of your own. Go wild:

Main Dish Items for a Picnic

Tortilla Wraps
Sandwiches or Subs
Pita Sandwiches
Puff-Pastry Sandwiches
Cold, cooked meat (chicken, beef, etc.)
Quiche or Frittata
Individual-Sized Calzones
Pasties or Other Individual Meat Pie
Pigs in a Blanket
Purchased Subs
Cold Cooked Salmon
Smoked Salmon
Cheese, Crackers, and Bread
Peanut Butter & Jelly Wraps or Subs
Bruschetta
Tuna, Egg, or Chicken Salad Sandwiches
Shrimp Cocktail (any chilled shrimp dish)
Cold Buffalo Wings
Cold Pizza
Chicken or Pork Lettuce Wraps
Crab Cakes

Main Dish Salads for a Picnic

Lobster or Shrimp Salad
Chicken Salad (Chicken caesar, etc.)
Chilled Salmon Salad
Taco Salad
Antipasti Platter or Salad
Waldorf Salad
Ceviche

Salad Side Dishes for a Picnic

Pasta or Tortellini Salad (mayonnaise or olive-oil based)
Potato Salad
Leafy Green Salad
Bean or Green Bean Salad
Panzanella (Italian Bread Salad)
Greek Salad
Fruit Salad
Rice Salad
Broccoli Salad
Cole Slaw
Apple Slaw
Couscous Salad