Midweek Meals in the Garden

Eating outside when time is limited–the secret? Frozen pizza

Thank you for joining me On the Acre. As an Art Director, gardener and cook, I will be sharing the dishes I make, garden tableware and dinner party ideas, my own garden updates, and my adventures in natural dye. I would love to have you join me.

I am driving home from work, bumper to bumper. A Splendid Table podcast guides me home, wrapping me in rich dialog about a small town in France that is known for its pink salt. I glance at my maps app–my drive has increased by five minutes. I ache to be home-I want to kick my shoes off and walk in the grass and race the kids out to the apple tree. I know by the time I get home, we have a narrow window of time to make and eat dinner, then kid’s bedtimes. I want to be outside. We have to eat. I want to be outside. The two collide in a perfectly imperfect midweek picnic idea. “Siri, text Caleb to preheat the oven to 400. We are having frozen pizza and eating under the apple trees.”

There you have it, the reality of my week. A reality of many of our weeks. There is no time for leisure and dinner–or is there? I find a bit of time outdoors revives me, sets the whole chaos of my nine to five then five to seven right. It can be brief–a slice of pizza while looking out across the lawn does wonders.

Here are a few essentials I have on hand that make a mid-week picnic enjoyable and easy to achieve. One essential item is a large harvest basket. I pile dishes in here, a pack of wipes, steamed edamame and fruit, etc. It makes carting things out to the yard easy, and when done, throw it all in and getting inside even easier. This basket goes with me to the garden for harvests as well.

I have included two, the one I own as well as a wide and flat basket that would be perfect for backyard picnicking or harvesting. It functions as a tray and basket, which I love.

I also have bento boxes for each family member. This is not an essential, but with kids (and myself honestly) it makes it easy to pile a handful of nuts, a muffin, raw veg and treats into. Much easier to enjoy your meal sitting on the ground when you can pick and snack out of a higher sided container vs. a plate (toddlers get up and walk about at will, plates are real messy).

I have to have a good metal tray to carry items out on. These Blue and White trays are such a fun addition to any picnic with their contrasting rim. We purchase frozen pizzas that are personal pan size, so we stack the plates on top of one another on the tray, making it easy to transport the three to four pizzas out to the garden. It also works great at a more elevated gathering to carry single servings of soup or dessert or cocktails.

The picnic blanket is the essence of the outdoor affair, and getting a good one makes all the difference. We love a washable/wipeable that folds and rolls into a handy carrier like this lemon blanket, but I am also a sucker for vegetable & herb patterns or an elevated gingham situation. Make it something you love to spread out on the lawn and adds either ease or comfort for you and your guests.

Lastly, bugs love picnics. It’s inevitable that an ant will make its way to your meal, but keeping the mosquitos at bay is my main focus. These adorable citronella pillars make it easy to create a barrier around your picnic area with bold and playful colors.

I hope this week, in the middle of your work week, you can get outside, eat take out or a frozen delicacy. I hope it gives you the rest and reprieve you need.