A South Mississippi spring is the perfect time for a picnic. There are so many good spots to choose from, like the Gulf Shores National Seashore Park in Ocean Springs, or just about anywhere along our miles of white sand beaches.
One of the most important parts of making a successful picnic is to take your time and plan carefully. Start by making a list! If you forget the wine opener, all is lost. Plenty of sun block is essential, as is bug repellent and some way of making shade, like an umbrella or awning. You’ll also need some way of cleaning up, like Handi Wipes, or just water and paper towels. Don’t forget the utensils you’ll need for eating and preparing the food you bring along!
The task of preparing food for the party is what stumps most people, but there are lots of other options. You can always keep it simple by buying a good loaf of French bread (I recommend Henry’s Bakery and Café in D’Iberville) and a few cheeses (Rouses is my choice) and a bottle of wine. That’s as fine a picnic as you could ask for.
If you want something a little more substantial, try the Lil Market in Ocean Springs. They have a wonderful selection of deli style sandwiches that you won’t find any place else, along with the best bagels around. If you want to add some color to the event, try the street corn at La Norteña, in Biloxi. It is absolutely delicious. Just down the street, is the Green House Biloxi, the home of the best biscuits and biscuit sandwiches on the Coast. They also have a daily soup. All of the Vietnamese restaurants on the Coast have great spring rolls that are perfect for a picnic. Another great choice is a box of fried chicken from Hartz. Another choice is to order take out from your favorite restaurant.
If you want to make this a homemade picnic, there some pretty simple options. Try sliced ham, coleslaw and potato salad, and a loaf of locally baked bread, or bake some canned biscuits to make ham sandwiches. It’s simple and delicious. Pasta salad is another homemade option that is popular. A home made muffaletta isn’t that hard, just use sliced mortadella, salami and mozzarella and provolone cheese and lots of olive salad along with good bread.
If all else fails, most pizza delivery places do not mind delivering to the beach, just get your favorite pizza and some bread sticks and you are set!
