How to Build the Perfect Autumn Picnic
Last month we ventured to Upstate New York to see the fall foliage in all its glory! We don’t get a lot of fall in Texas, so when we touched down and the high was 58 degrees with bright sunshine, we were thrilled. Sunday afternoon of that weekend was especially breathtaking, so we decided to put together a simple picnic and head into nature for some dining al fresco.
Our unbelievably talented friend and photographer Melese Miller captured our picnic so that we could share it with you! The absolute highlight of the shoot? THE SANDWICHES. We’re pretty sure the baguette sandwiches we made are some of the best ever. Keep reading to get the full scoop and learn how to create the best autumn picnic, ever!
Kale, Camembert and Delicata Squash Baguette
I’m not sure we really did this on purpose, creating the best sandwich in the world. But somehow we had the perfect combination of ingredients on hand and the marriage of textures and tastes had our tastebuds going crazy! Here’s what you need:
Fresh baguette
Camembert or another bloomy rind cheese you love. We used Jasper Hill’s Moses Sleeper that has notes of sweet cream and roasted cauliflower. A Brie/Camembert hybrid, this cheese added a beautiful vegetable note and a creamy texture to balance out the acidity and crunch.
Marinated kale. You can marinate it in anything to help break down the stiffness of the leaf: lemon juice, red wine vinegar, etc!
Roasted delicata squash. Other squash varietals would work great, too!
Spiced pecans. We get ours from Trader Joe’s!
Fresh apples (straight from the orchard!)
Shallot Confit, or another great onion jam. We love the confit from Quince + Apple
Pomegranate seeds
*Pro tip: Assemble sandwiches beforehand and wrap in butcher or parchment paper for easy eating! If you want to assemble when you get to your picnic spot, use stackable tupperware or consolidate ingredients as much as you can, to avoid being left with tons of containers to lug back with you!
Along with our sandwiches, we grabbed some warm beverages to go like coffee, cider or hot chocolate. We also picked up a few apple fritters for good measure. While our picnic might look simple, it was absolutely delicious and fulfilling! The best meals are like that: high quality, seasonal and fresh ingredients, along with unique flavor and textural combinations. It doesn’t have to be fancy or complex to be satisfying!
