I think the old days of traveling before interstate highways and fast food were interesting. Not that I was around for it, but I’ve seen it on T.V. and it looked fun. The Mom always packed a basket full of sandwiches, and the family would stop to eat at a beautiful countryside setting, Other than the lack of a clean restroom, it seemed relaxing and civilized. Â We’ve packed travel- lunches before for family trips, when we were going to be in a hurry and didn’t want to take the time to stop. It was also at a time that the children wanted to eat every fifteen minutes, so it solved that problem too. Â 
How I wish I had an old picnic hamper like the one above. I would have worn a white cotton dress and my husband would have had on his straw boater. The children would have chased butterflies while I spread the quilt beneath a shady tree. Â And besides roast beef sandwiches with homemade horseradish sauce, deviled eggs and the ubiquitous southern pickled okra, I would have picked tomatoes and cucumbers from my garden to make this:
Tomato – Cucumber Salad with Feta Cheese
- 2 Â Â beefsteak tomatoes, sliced
- 2 Â Â bell peppers, sliced
- 1  large cucumber, thinly sliced
- Salt
- Freshly ground pepper
- 4 Â ounce(s)Â goat’s milk feta
Dressing:
- 2 Â tablespoon(s)Â champagne vinegar
- 1 Â teaspoon(s)Â honey
- 1 Â sprig(s)Â oregano, chopped
- 8 Â Â basil leaves, chopped
- 4 Â tablespoon(s)Â extra-virgin olive oil
Directions
- For salad:Â In a large bowl, toss together tomatoes, peppers, and cucumber and season with salt and pepper. Let stand for 20 minutes.
- For dressing:Â In a small bowl, whisk together vinegar, honey, oregano, and basil; whisk in oil.
- Pour vinaigrette over salad and toss. Crumble feta over salad; serve.
This delicious recipe is only one of 55 ideas for summer picnic food from Country Living Magazine. CLICK HERE to see all 55 delicious ideas.
What is in the retro – picnic hamper of your dreams?
****See the comments below to see where I may have got the idea for my summer picnic – attire. Here is my dear Rachel and her husband Douglas on the porch of The Trammell House when we all celebrated the 125th anniversary of the historic home. The most dashing couple in all of Georgia! I may have even been the one taking the photo!
Linking up with: Six Sister’s Stuff, Dwellings, Alabama Women Bloggers, Southern Hospitality, Coastal Charm, Cozy Little House, The DIY Dreamer, Savvy Southern Style
This reminds me of my sister and I walking to the park around the corner with my grandmother. Our picnic basket was a little more basic: plastic, yellow with a green lid (I’m almost certain my grandfather found it while scavenging). A great memory. Now I wish we had a basket like this.
That’s a very nice memory, and isn’t it funny how you remember that basket? Grandmothers always think of doing fun things!
Doesn’t a hamper like this have to be stuffed with goodies from Fortnum & Mason? I just read a mystery novel in which a picnic hamper (not quite this elaborate) was the primary clue and piece of evidence (“Pride and Predation,” by Sally S. Wright).
Now, that’s an intriguing twist I hadn’t considered. Great prop for a mystery!
That salad looks amazing! I think I could eat my weight in feta. 🙂
I just heard Dr. Oz say it’s good to eat cheese (instead of sugary foods) to help shrink your stomach. . . . Game on!
We used to go on picnics all the time, and my mom had one of those fancy picnic hampers~I wish I had it today! I can just picture you in a white frock Leslie Anne, serving up your delicious salad!
Hi Leslie Anne! I’m visiting from Stacey’s blog. What a wonderful picnic hamper! Love it! Thanks for the recipe too. I’m currently waiting on a delivery of my mom’s home grown tomatoes, so I’ll definitely try this recipe. 🙂
Thanks for stopping by. Homegrown tomatoes delivered to your door . . . now that’s a treat!
Oh what a way to spend a day! Add in croquet and it would be perfection.
Can’t wait to try the recipe. Have a lovely 4th of July.
Love the photograph of the attractive couple. Love the hats and parlor fan.
I have a picnic basket if you’d like to fill it with all of this deliciousness. The utensils and dishes would be ok to throw in, too!
You probably did take this picture!
In case your Dear Readers are wondering why a towel is balled up at the door on such a special occasion, we woke up to a very rainy celebration day. But that was OK…we’re smiling because of all the help and moral support from Leslie Anne! Southern Belles always make lemonade from lemons. What fun memories!
We had planned for a sunny ice-cream social, and it turned into a frog-choker! You still looked marvelous, darlin’.
I would choose the same picnic basket you had. The one filled with warm memories of family and friends when the world seemed to move at a slower pace.
Ha, is that a photo of my hubby’s boater? It surely looks like it…wish I could post the photo of him wearing it and me in my white cotton frock. My dream picnic would be everything you have plus still-warm fried chicken and a big chocolate cake. Oh, and sweet tea, of course 🙂
I like the chicken idea better than the sandwiches! Send the photo – I’ll post it!