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A loaf of bread, a jug of wine and picnic pleasure
By Gao Ceng |
September 30, 2012, Sunday
|
Print Edition
Print Edition
AUTUMN is perfect for picnics because of its warm sunshine, blue skies, cool breezes and fragrance of sweet osmanthus blooming in October.
When Shanghai's sweltering summer is over, it's time to gather with friends, spread a tablecloth on the grass and enjoy food and wine in a scenic setting.
We make some picnic suggestions for Shanghai - places, food and wine.
Right place, right ambience
Picnickers are not limited to backyards and parks, though some have special sections for picnickers. There are sandy beaches, forest on Chongming Island and plenty of other spots.
Everyone likes a picnic and maybe barbecue on the beach. And sweethearts may enjoy a beach picnic at sunset, feeling the sea breeze, listening to the waves and sipping Champagne or other wine. Shanghai offers a number of beaches, such as Jinshan City Beach in Jinshan District, Blue Sea and Golden Sand Beach in Fengxian District and Sanjiagang Seaside Resort in Pudong New Area.
Families with small children might prefer their backyard gardens, since the kitchen is convenient. Those living in apartments or who have older children may enjoy parks with a sweep of green lawn where children can play. Some parks have children's play areas.
Parks include Shanghai Century Park located in Pudong New Area, where people can sit on the grass, enjoying food and taking in a pretty view of a lake. Shanghai Gongqing Forest Park in Yangpu District is cool and forested, and it has a barbecue area.
Dongping National Forest on Chongming Island provides picnic areas where visitors can see birds, peacocks and deer. It also has a barbecue area and picnic tables.
For bigger picnics, such as birthdays, company team outings and get-togethers, hiring a boat provides a fresh and cooling experience. It combines scenery, fishing and outdoor eating. Dianshan Lake on the outskirts of Shanghai and Qiandao Lake in Hangzhou, Zhejiang Province (a three-hour drive from Shanghai) both have good boating facilities.
Picnic packing
A picnic isn't a picnic without tasty food and drink and the properly fitted out picnic hamper.
Here's a list of things to consider.
Table cloth. Some prefer disposable plastic sheets, but there's also the traditional checkered fabric tablecloth.
Cushions and folding chairs are recommended for picnics on the grass where people can bask in the sunshine.
A cooler is essential to keep some food, chilled wine and beverages cold.
A picnic hamper should include plates, cups or glasses, knives, forks, utensils, corkscrew, bottle opener and napkins. If the beverage is wine, don't forget wine glasses, or more practical flat-bottom glasses that won't be knocked over on the grass.
Take insect repellent and sun block.
Don't forget trash bags and pick up after yourself.
Food and drink
There are three basic principles about picnic food: Choose ready-to-eat (like fried chicken); go for finger-food that doesn't require knives and forks; avoid food with a lot of dressing and sauce that drips on clothes.
Here's a suggested East-West picnic menu, combining traditional Western picnic food and Shanghai dim sum and snacks.
Always take some bread, such as French bread or Chinese "mantou" (steamed buns).
Start with something such as tuna salad nicoise and vegetable quiche, Chinese snacks such peanuts seasoned with chili or seaweed.
Sandwiches are always a good choice, though many people may find salad and quiche enough. We recommend light, healthy varieties, smoked salmon or grilled ham and mozzarella on panini bread.
Tasty, easy-to-carry dim sum include "chashao su" (layered pastry filled with barbecued pork) and "xiekehuang" (a fluffy sesame-coated pastry filled with picked vegetable).
For dessert, there are always cakes and cookies, including fruit-flavored macaroons and Chinese "gao," a kind of rice cake with jujube or osmanthus filling.
Of course, there's always fresh fruit such as seasonal apples, oranges and pears.
Many beverages are available, juices, iced tea, lemonade, sodas and wine. Sparkling wine or Champagne makes a picnic special, lifts the mood and relaxes picnickers.
White wine, especially light and fruity Sauvignon Blanc, goes well with sandwiches and salads. Sweet yet refreshing Moscato enhances the sweetness of desert.
Some wines are sold in half bottles, which are convenient.
When Shanghai's sweltering summer is over, it's time to gather with friends, spread a tablecloth on the grass and enjoy food and wine in a scenic setting.
We make some picnic suggestions for Shanghai - places, food and wine.
Right place, right ambience
Picnickers are not limited to backyards and parks, though some have special sections for picnickers. There are sandy beaches, forest on Chongming Island and plenty of other spots.
Everyone likes a picnic and maybe barbecue on the beach. And sweethearts may enjoy a beach picnic at sunset, feeling the sea breeze, listening to the waves and sipping Champagne or other wine. Shanghai offers a number of beaches, such as Jinshan City Beach in Jinshan District, Blue Sea and Golden Sand Beach in Fengxian District and Sanjiagang Seaside Resort in Pudong New Area.
Families with small children might prefer their backyard gardens, since the kitchen is convenient. Those living in apartments or who have older children may enjoy parks with a sweep of green lawn where children can play. Some parks have children's play areas.
Parks include Shanghai Century Park located in Pudong New Area, where people can sit on the grass, enjoying food and taking in a pretty view of a lake. Shanghai Gongqing Forest Park in Yangpu District is cool and forested, and it has a barbecue area.
Dongping National Forest on Chongming Island provides picnic areas where visitors can see birds, peacocks and deer. It also has a barbecue area and picnic tables.
For bigger picnics, such as birthdays, company team outings and get-togethers, hiring a boat provides a fresh and cooling experience. It combines scenery, fishing and outdoor eating. Dianshan Lake on the outskirts of Shanghai and Qiandao Lake in Hangzhou, Zhejiang Province (a three-hour drive from Shanghai) both have good boating facilities.
Picnic packing
A picnic isn't a picnic without tasty food and drink and the properly fitted out picnic hamper.
Here's a list of things to consider.
Table cloth. Some prefer disposable plastic sheets, but there's also the traditional checkered fabric tablecloth.
Cushions and folding chairs are recommended for picnics on the grass where people can bask in the sunshine.
A cooler is essential to keep some food, chilled wine and beverages cold.
A picnic hamper should include plates, cups or glasses, knives, forks, utensils, corkscrew, bottle opener and napkins. If the beverage is wine, don't forget wine glasses, or more practical flat-bottom glasses that won't be knocked over on the grass.
Take insect repellent and sun block.
Don't forget trash bags and pick up after yourself.
Food and drink
There are three basic principles about picnic food: Choose ready-to-eat (like fried chicken); go for finger-food that doesn't require knives and forks; avoid food with a lot of dressing and sauce that drips on clothes.
Here's a suggested East-West picnic menu, combining traditional Western picnic food and Shanghai dim sum and snacks.
Always take some bread, such as French bread or Chinese "mantou" (steamed buns).
Start with something such as tuna salad nicoise and vegetable quiche, Chinese snacks such peanuts seasoned with chili or seaweed.
Sandwiches are always a good choice, though many people may find salad and quiche enough. We recommend light, healthy varieties, smoked salmon or grilled ham and mozzarella on panini bread.
Tasty, easy-to-carry dim sum include "chashao su" (layered pastry filled with barbecued pork) and "xiekehuang" (a fluffy sesame-coated pastry filled with picked vegetable).
For dessert, there are always cakes and cookies, including fruit-flavored macaroons and Chinese "gao," a kind of rice cake with jujube or osmanthus filling.
Of course, there's always fresh fruit such as seasonal apples, oranges and pears.
Many beverages are available, juices, iced tea, lemonade, sodas and wine. Sparkling wine or Champagne makes a picnic special, lifts the mood and relaxes picnickers.
White wine, especially light and fruity Sauvignon Blanc, goes well with sandwiches and salads. Sweet yet refreshing Moscato enhances the sweetness of desert.
Some wines are sold in half bottles, which are convenient.
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