A Winter picnic in nature is an unforgettable holiday with bright emotions and indescribable sensations! To spend this day cheerfully, as comfortably as possible, most important – not to freeze, prepare warm comfortable clothes and make a special menu of delicious and hearty foods that are warm even in the coldest weather.

In the article, we will consider the features of the organization of a winter picnic, how to make a menu, what to cook, and useful tips.

How to organize a picnic in winter

Outdoor recreation in winter involves special preparation. You need to think through everything to the smallest detail: how to organize a place to relax, how to treat guests, and what entertainment you can come up with for an exciting pastime.

To begin with, you need to decide on the place for location and prepare a barbecue for lighting a fire.

Please note that it can be quite difficult to drive a car in a snowy forest. Choose non-complicated view roads if you are traveling by car.

By the way, a picnic by car is our separate article, very interesting, we recommend it!

On the fire, you can cook delicious food. There are many interesting recipes for cooking delicious dishes on the grill (we will talk about this later).

What to take with you to the winter picnic

When organizing a picnic in the winter, do not forget to prepare folding furniture or benches for the location of guests. You will also need a table, a tablecloth, and dishes.

You may also need an awning or canopy that will save you from snowfall.

What else may be required for outdoor recreation in winter:

• firewood, coal for lighting a fire;
• cooking pot;
• knife, axe;
• liquid for ignition, matches;
• shovel for clearing snow;
•  grill skewers;
• food containers for food;
• thermal mugs, thermos for hot dishes and drinks;
• kettle (preferably copper, for heating water on fire).

What to cook for a picnic in winter

If all the necessary things are collected, it’s time to proceed to the main thing – drawing up a menu for a winter picnic in nature!

Basic rules when compiling a menu:

• Meals for the winter holidays should be hot. You can cook food at home and hermetically pack it in special thermoses that retain heat for a long time.
• In nature, it is better to cook products on fire, using a pot, skewers, or a grill grate. With the heat of the heat – always tastier! In addition, such food will quickly warm up even in the coldest weather.
• Do not plan complex recipes for cooking in nature. For a long time, you will hardly want to mess with cooking in a cold forest. Try to prepare all the necessary ingredients at home. Make a cut, marinate the meat, peel the vegetables, etc.
• Exclude cold foods and refreshing beverages from the menu.
• Do not take alcohol for a winter picnic, especially in large quantities. Alcoholic beverages on the street do not warm, but only create the illusion of warmth. In addition, the use of alcohol in cold weather is fraught with dangerous consequences for the body.

And now let’s see what dishes can be prepared for a winter picnic!

Salads and appetizers

Salads and appetizers are best prepared in advance. Cut all the ingredients at home and put them in food containers. At the place of rest, you can lay out the finished products on prepared plates.

What salads and snacks can be prepared:

• salad of baked vegetables and pasta;
• Georgian salad with beets and peppers;
• salad with walnuts and vegetables;
• salad with mushrooms, herbs, and basil;
• salad with boiled pork, carrots, and canned peas;
• salad with beef, cheese, and eggs;
• salad with chicken breast and vegetables;
• Caesar salad;
• snack with cold cuts;
• Greek snack with vegetables;
• cheese plate;
• marinade appetizer.

High-calorie hot meals

At a picnic in winter, you want to eat hot and hearty, so do not forget to include high-calorie hot dishes in the menu.

What you can cook:

• pilaf with meat (chicken, lamb);
• kebabs;
• fish on the grill;
• meat broth with vegetables;
• baked potatoes;
• beef and bacon goulash;
• shurpa with lamb;
• azu in Tatar from beef;
• pork ribs with vegetables.

Desserts and pastries

After a hearty lunch in the fresh frosty air, you can serve a sweet dessert with hot tea on the table. For outdoor recreation, you can prepare delicious pastries or stock up on a ready-made dessert. In our catalog, you will find pancakes, pies with different fillings, croissants, cookies, rolls, cake, and fruit desserts.

Drinks

On the menu for a winter picnic, you need to include warming drinks that give vivacity and vitality.

The most popular winter drinks are:

• tea on herbs, hibiscus, lemon, with ginger, and spices;
• mulled wine (non-alcoholic);
• warm and sweet non-alcoholic punch;
• sbiten with honey, spices, and a mixture of fragrant herbs;
• warming smoothie with ginger and cinnamon;
• hot chocolate;
• warm berry juice.

Useful tips

• Going on a winter picnic, make a list of things necessary for recreation in the frosty air in advance.

 

• Think over the menu, decide what dishes you will cook on the fire, and what is better to prepare in advance at home.

 

 

• Pack the products prepared on the road in special containers. To set the table, take a few clean plates, a tablecloth, cutlery, mugs, and napkins.

 

• Winter days are short, so it is better to leave the house in the morning.

 

 

• Think about a scenario for outdoor activities. Make a list of games for entertainment, take in the forest all the necessary attributes for an exciting pastime.

 

• Don’t expect to find firewood in the snowy forest. Everything you need to take with you. Firewood and coal can be bought at gas stations or in supermarkets.

 

• Be sure to prepare warm clothes and shoes. You can also bring a change of gloves, warm socks, and a blanket for shelter.

Here you also can learn some useful advice for a cold picnic.