Conference turris::cooks

    	       *<SUGGESTIONS FOR AN EASY PICNIC>* 
    
    
    An easy way to "create" an excellant picnic is to let someone else
    do it.  I would suggest going to Savory Lane Gourmet Deli on Rt.
    2A in Acton.  The will make up an excellant picnic for a modest
    price.  You may request any of a variety of themes from American,
    French, Italian, and German.  You will get a long Baguette a few
    kinds of cheeses, various meats, a couple of Perrier or SoHo sodas,
    and some homade baked goods in the French variety of picnic. You
    have the chance to substitute various items and things with each
    picnic.   They even put it all in a nice basket with plates etc,
    and red/white checked cloth.  All for approx $25.  Its an easy way
    to make up a picnic fast.  I hope this helps and isnt to far to
    travel.  Another suggestion is Palate's Delight, a wonderful gourmet
    shop in the CVS plaza at the intersection of 27 and 2A in Acton.
     They have a wonderful selection of hard to find wines and you will
    love there spinach dip.
    	My last suggestion is to go by Zayre's and pick up a cheap ($6.97)
    Hibachi grill and grill your food.  I plan to do this myself this
    evening.  I will be grilling some Hillshire Farms Polska sausage
    with sweet and sour sauce.  I would suggest some shrimp as well
    or skewers of beef maybe with teriyaki sauce.  If you are in a hurry
    go to the store and be creative!   Try Martinelli's sparkling cider
    if your driving!  it is excellant for the kids or for other
    tea-totalers.
    
    Happy Picnicing!!!!
    
    		Tim McGough  (on a borrowed account as I am new to DEC)
    
    

    		(ooops I forgot)
    
    
    
    I forgot to mention you should call ahead to Savoury Lane so they
    can have anything you need ready.   Their number is 263-8743.  They
    are open 'til 7 pm and Palate's Delight is open 'til 6 pm.  Try
    some Peperidge Farms cookies for an easy dessert.  Or better yet,
    get some strawberries and creme and dessert shells and have strawberry
    shortcake.  Have fun and let me know what other ideas you come up
    with since picnicing is a favorite summer/spring  weekend activity
    of mine!!

    This is a digression from the base note so please forgive me. Does
    anyone have any suggestions for where to go on a picnic in the
    Acton-Littleton vicinity? I'm looking for somewhere close enough
    to go for lunch from the AKO or LKG facilities. Somewhere with relative
    privacy would be nice. The delis in the first 2 replies sound great
    and so near, but I'll wait til its a "little bit" warmer.
    
    Thanks
    Debbie
    

    of debbie come on now.... its not that bad out.
    
    thanks so much for your wonderful ideas.  unfortunately traveling
    is a problem and i can't get up to acton way considering that i'm
    heading west on 117.  i also don't have $25 because of last night's
    excursions and therefore; am going to have to sacrifice on the 
    gourmet stores and settle for a farm stand nearby. 
    
    but, hey, don't worry; be happy- thanks to your suggestions i now
    have something constructive to save my money for!   i probably
    will end up with some fruits, cheeses, crackers and but of course
    the beringer.  dinner might be after if....
    
    well, you never know.  thanks again for the suggestions, if you
    have more, please don't hesitate to fill me in.
    
    carla jeanne (who will tell where her spot is tomorrow... NOT today!)
    

    and he said it was too cold.  so we never made it.  HOWEVER, i did
    get the chance to make it to savory lane (after we decided on dinner
    at folsom's chowder house and i was right next door) (how clever
    - wasn't it?) anyways... savory lane had wonderful baskets and
    reasonable prices for them too.  we ventured to sudbury later on
    to the duck soup store (another gourmet shop) and also to the wayside
    inn store in the little mall (sorry, can't remember the name) and
    discovered that savory's prices were indeed reasonable.
    
    we only had one problem with the size of the baskets.  wine glasses
    and plates were a must along with the cute napkins and table clothes
    but we were wondering just how big of a basket you would need. 
    the small one looked as if it could hold two sandwiches and maybe
    some soda and well, for two we'de probably want alittle more space.
                                 
    and then they're was the question of what theme to fill them with
    ?????
    
    thanks again,
    
    carla jeanne (who decided NOT to devulge her secret spot but will
    consider if you send mail pleading...)
    

    
    My wife and I will be going to a Liza Minelli concert in Atlanta's
    Chastain park tomorrow night. This isn't exactly a "picnic" in the
    park. There are tables, and people go all out--china, silver, crystal,
    linen, etc.  Many people hire caterers.  I won't be, and that's where I
    need some help.  I need an entree, and fast.  We're going to start with 
    Pistachio Twists, move on to Iced Beet and Cucumber soup, and then to
    the  (insert entree here) followed by a fruit tart.  (If I have time.)
    
    I realize it's a little odd to plan a meal without an entree, but hey, 
    it's summertime....
    
    So, what'll it be? 
     

    How about (cold) grilled chicken with fresh fruit salsa?  I don't have
    the exact proportions with me but it consists of rice wine vinegar,
    some sugar, fresh cilentro and a combination of black and red pepper. 
    Combine ingredients to make a sauce, then add diced fruit and veggies,
    such as mango, pineapple, green apple, red pepper, peaches, and pear. 
    Not only does it taste terrific, but it's also nice to look at.  :^)

    You might need to change your appetizers for this one, but I tried it
    this weekend and it is great. And very pretty on the plate.  
    
    Rio Del Grande Salad!
    
    Start with a couple large green lettuce leaves (not iceberg) on the
    plate and put blue corn chips around the edges.  Then sprinkle
    generously, kidney beans, diced green onions, tomatoes, and monterey
    jack cheese.  Then arrange grilled steak sliced lenthwise (london
    broil) in a sunburst shape along with avocado.  The dressing is sour
    cream mixed with picante sauce or salsa.  Drizzle it over the top.  Add
    cilantro if you like it.