When an anticipated childhood picnic was rained out, Harry Schwartz and his mother set out their meal on a blanket under their piano. This memory inspired the grown author and chef to create an elegant indoor picnic by transforming a living room into a picnic site and serving unique dishes that are lovingly prepared. Schwartz explains how to prepare your space for a traditional outdoor meal and offers suggestions that welcome Mother Nature into your home: - Move the furniture to the outside perimeter of the room.
- Spread large blankets over the floor and position a low picnic table on top.
- Toss throw pillows around the table for casual, picnic-like seating and lounging.
- Dress the room with an abundance of potted plants and flowers.
- Bringing a pet bird into the room will definitely heighten the sense of being outdoors.
- Welcome the insect world to your picnic with these placemats made with wrapping paper that is cut to size (figure A).
- These durable melamine plates encourage a country ambience (figure B); or you can use paper plates so no dishes need to be washed.
Harry suggests doing as much decorating as possible ahead of time. Setting up the picnic environment can be done days in advance, which leaves more time for preparing his unique and delicious picnic menu. He loves to please his guests who are his culinary barometers, and he knows that time in the kitchen is well spent as long as he can share his joy with his friends. For Harry, food is a special prop that brings us together. Try serving these dishes when you present a few guests with an afternoon in the indoor sun. Garlic-Crusted Drummies Ingredients: 24 chicken drummettes
4 egg whites, slightly beaten
1 Tbs. soy sauce
1/4 cup sherry
2 cups cornmeal
1 Tbs. crushed oregano
1 Tbs. cracked black pepper
1 Tbs. kosher salt
1/4 cup toasted sesame seeds
4 Tbs. minced garlic
1/2 cup vegetable oil Preparation: Combine egg whites, soy sauce and sherry in a large bowl and marinate the drummettes in the mixture for a few hours or overnight. In another large bowl combine the cornmeal, oregano, salt, pepper and sesame seeds. Place the marinated chicken drummies into the cornmeal mixture and coat evenly with your gloved hands. Add the garlic and oil to a large frying pan and heat until garlic sizzles. Fry the chicken in the oil, turning occasionally. Place the finished pieces on a paper-lined tray and keep warm in the oven on the lowest heat setting.
Steamed Mussels Ingredients: 36 live mussels
1 cup white wine
1 cup water
1 Tbs. minced garlic
1 Tbs. seaweed shake (a seasoning) Preparation: Rinse the mussels in cold water, and make sure they are able to close. Combine other ingredients in a large pan and add mussels. Heat the mussels on the stove in the covered pan until steam appears, about 5-7 minutes. These may not be ordinary foods, but this will be no ordinary picnic! Chef Harry believes in adding a touch of elegance to everything he does, and he is rewarded with the enjoyment that his guests experience.
RESOURCES :
Easygoing Entertaining: The 'Harry's Wild About You!' Cookbook
Model: 0942084861
Author: Harry Schwartz
Surfside Publishing
(November, 1994)
GUESTS :
Harry Schwartz
Culinary Expert
PO Box 1320
Yarmouth, ME 04096
Phone: 207-846-8881
E-mail: chefharry@chefharry.com
Website: www.chefharry.com
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