Picnic basket

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Picnic basket Picnic basket 01.jpg
Picnic basket

A picnic basket or picnic hamper is a basket intended to hold food and tableware for a picnic meal. Picnic baskets are standard equipment at many picnics. [1] A traditional picnic hamper is made of woven wicker.

While the basic concept of a picnic basket is quite simple, some picnic baskets sold by gourmet stores are quite large and elaborate, [2] with insulated compartments to hold hot and cold foods, and dishware including wine glasses and porcelain plates which are secured in pockets along with items of cutlery, condiments, corkscrew etc. Many modern picnic baskets also have a special storage section to hold a bottle of wine, the traditional beverage brought along to intimate picnics. Some modern picnic baskets include detachable blankets to sit on. [3]

An innovative picnic hamper advertised for American families in 1953 was designed to clamp over the seat at the back of the family car. The hamper opened with a "built-in midget-size icebox" and slide-out trays "for everyone who wants to eat away from the ants." [4]

Picnic hamper foods usually include pre-prepared sandwiches, pies, fruit, cake, salads and other dishes. A 1917 Australian newspaper article lists items in a picnic hamper for 12 people as: "Ham and mustard sandwiches, tomato and cucumber sandwiches, lettuce and salmon sandwiches, roast fowl, one sponge cake, one currant cake, two dozen scones, one dozen Queen cakes, two dozen lemon cheese tartlets, two dampers, 18 blocks lamington cake, one dozen cream puffs, one dozen custard puffs, 1lb biscuits, 1lb butter, one bottle home-made lemon syrup, one bottle milk, 2lb sugar, 1/4lb tea, four dozen mixed fruit, sweets, one small kettle, six plates, one dozen cups, one jug, one drying cloth, one Billycan, one box matches, four knives, four spoons." [5]

Etymology

Hamper comes from ‘hanapier’, meaning a case for goblets. The concept came from France via William the Conqueror in the 11th century. Portable wicker wine carriers became adopted as travellers’ refreshment baskets, as long journeys often meant overnight stays in coaching inns where palatable food was not always available. Travellers would thus carry better food with them in such baskets or hampers. [6]

A 1967 picnic hamper in The Netherlands, opened to show straps securing utensils and plates. Picknickkoffer - Picnic hamper (4902176744).jpg
A 1967 picnic hamper in The Netherlands, opened to show straps securing utensils and plates.

Related Research Articles

<span class="mw-page-title-main">Picnic</span> Excursion at which a meal is eaten outdoors

A picnic is a meal taken outdoors as part of an excursion, especially in scenic surroundings, such as a park, lakeside, or other place affording an interesting view, or else in conjunction with a public event such as preceding an open-air theater performance, and usually in summer or spring. It is different from other meals because it requires free time to leave home.

<span class="mw-page-title-main">Danish cuisine</span> Culinary traditions of Denmark

Danish cuisine originated from the peasant population's own local produce and was enhanced by cooking techniques developed in the late 19th century and the wider availability of goods during and after the Industrial Revolution. Open sandwiches, known as smørrebrød, which in their basic form are the usual fare for lunch, can be considered a national speciality when prepared and garnished with a variety of ingredients. Hot meals are typically prepared with meat or fish. Substantial meat and fish dishes includes flæskesteg and kogt torsk with mustard sauce and trimmings. Ground meats became widespread during the industrial revolution and traditional dishes that are still popular include frikadeller, karbonader and medisterpølse. Denmark is known for its Carlsberg and Tuborg beers and for its akvavit and bitters, but amongst the Danes themselves imported wine has gained steadily in popularity since the 1960s.

<span class="mw-page-title-main">Canapé</span> Hors dœuvre

A canapé is a type of starter, a small, prepared, and often decorative food, consisting of a small piece of bread or cracker, wrapped or topped with some savoury food, held in the fingers and often eaten in one bite.

<span class="mw-page-title-main">Remoulade</span> Mayonnaise-based cold sauce

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<i>Mille-feuille</i> French pastry

A mille-feuille, also known by the names Napoleon in North America, vanilla slice in the United Kingdom, and custard slice, is a French dessert made of puff pastry layered with pastry cream. Its modern form was influenced by improvements made by Marie-Antoine Carême.

<span class="mw-page-title-main">Garnish (food)</span> Decoration added to food or drink

A garnish is an item or substance used as a decoration or embellishment accompanying a prepared food dish or drink. In many cases, it may give added or contrasting flavor. Some garnishes are selected mainly to augment the visual impact of the plate, while others are selected specifically for the flavor they may impart. This is in contrast to a condiment, a prepared sauce added to another food item primarily for its flavor. A food item which is served with garnish may be described as being garni, the French term for "garnished."

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A friand is a small almond cake, popular in Australia and New Zealand, closely related to the French financier.

<span class="mw-page-title-main">Hamper</span> Type of basket

A hamper refers to one of several related basket-like items. In primarily British usage, it refers to a wicker basket, usually large, that is used for the transport of items, often food. In North America, the term generally refers to a household receptacle, often a basket, for clean or dirty clothing, regardless of its composition, i.e. "a laundry hamper". Typically a laundry hamper is used for storage and will be sturdier, taller and have a lid while a laundry basket is open and used mainly for transport.

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<span class="mw-page-title-main">Regional street food</span>

Regional street food is street food that has commonalities within a region or culture.

The second season of Top Chef: Just Desserts was broadcast on Bravo. It featured 14 pastry chefs fighting to win the title of Top Chef.

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References

  1. Marnie Hanel; Andrea Slonecker; Jen Stevenson (7 April 2015). The Picnic: Recipes and Inspiration from Basket to Blanket. Artisan. ISBN   978-1-57965-608-9.
  2. Fabricant, Florence (11 July 2016). "An Heirloom Picnic Basket". The New York Times.
  3. "Picnic Basket Shop Basket Contents". Archived from the original on 2018-06-28. Retrieved 2018-05-07.
  4. "Gadgets for a picnic - The Herald (Melbourne, Vic. : 1861 - 1954) - 19 May 1953". Herald. 19 May 1953. Retrieved 2021-10-05.
  5. "My Picnic Hamper". Australian Town and Country Journal. 1917-11-07. Retrieved 2021-10-05.
  6. Parson, Sharon. "Outdoor nibbles: the history behind the Great British picnic". Sainsbury's Magazine. Retrieved 29 June 2022.