Preparing a Picnic in Jars on The Today Show!
Summer is a wonderful time for a picnic and this week, on my regular appearance on The Today Show, I demonstrated an unusual way of carrying and serving food at a picnic – in jars. I think that it’s the nicest way to pack up a picnic. I originally got this idea from a place in Sag Harbor, out on Long Island, called Cavaniola’s Gourmet Cheese Shop, a wonderful little prepared food take-out shop. While shopping there, I saw a salad packed in a jar and I wanted to do that myself. So, we elaborated on that idea and came up with this picnic menu, consisting of Summer Fruit Sangria, Seven-Layer Bean Dip, Niçoise Terrine, and Espresso Mousse.
1 Here I am on the set of Today with co-anchor Savannah Guthrie.
2 My segment was all about how to put together delicious picnic treats, from beverage to dips to desserts, all in make-ahead, perfectly packaged jars.
3 Sangria is a wonderful adult summer picnic beverage.
4 Savannah was surprised to see that this sangria is made with white wine, which is very refreshing in the summer.
5 Fresh fruit is essential to a sangria and we chose mango, pineapple, cantaloupe, and apricot. Sliced fresh ginger and mint leaves provide great flavor.
6 You start by pouring a bottle of crisp white wine, such as Sauvignon Blanc or Pinot Grigio, into a pitcher.
7 Then add all of the fruit, the ginger, and mint.
8 A half cup of Cointreau, or orange liqueur, gives the mixture a really nice citrusy flavor.
9 After macerating for a time in the refrigerator, ladle the sangria into canning jars that have tight-fitting lids and pack in a cooler.
10 I then went on to show Savannah how to put together a seven-layer bean dip in jars.
11 You start by sauteing chopped onion and garlic until translucent.
12 You then add 2 cans of drained pinto beans, mashing them with the back of a wooden spoon as they warm.
13 You also mash avocados with minced jalapenos, a little sour cream, and some lemon juice.
14 Place the avocado in a zip-lock bag, seal the bag, and snip off one of the bottom corners to make a type of pastry bag. You can squeeze out the avocado, avoiding any kind of mess.
15 You then layer the jars with mashed beans, grated cheddar, chopped scallions, chopped tomatoes and onion, the avocado mixture, some sour cream, and chopped black olives.
16 Put lids on the jars and pack them in the cooler along with some toasted pita strips or tortilla chips. It's a very nice way to present and serve a very popular bean dip.
17 The next jarred picnic food was a Niçoise terrine, a takeoff of the wonderful salad known as salade Niçoise. I make and serve this delicious salad a lot and my guests love it!
18 The ingredients for this salad include Bibb lettuce, hard-cooked eggs, blanched green beans, tomatoes, Niçoise or Kalamata olives, and canned tuna packed in oil.
19 A vinaigrette is made in a separate jar by whisking together Dijon mustard, minced shallot, red-wine vinegar, and olive oil.
20 Divide lettuce among four jars. Top with tuna, green beans, eggs, tomatoes, and olives, and season with salt and pepper. Put the lids on and pack in the cooler along with the jarred vinaigrette.
21 Just before serving, give the vinagrette a shake and drizzle over the individual salads.
22 Look what a beautiful and mouth-watering picnic salad this makes!
23 What's a meal without dessert? Here's an elegant espresso mousse that packs really well for a picnic.
24 This mousse is a combination of powdered gelatin, egg yolks, sugar, heavy cream, and espresso powder, which is all cooked together. When cool, whipped cream is folded in and then the mixture is poured into jars and refrigerated until set.
25 At the picnic, just before serving, take the mousse out of the cooler and sprinkle the tops with cocoa powder and then dollop on some heavy cream that was whipped earlier and carried in separate jar.
26 Espresso mousse is such an unexpected picnic treat!
27 At the end of the segment, I presented Savannah with a dozen jelly jars for her to start practicing.
28 So, for this picnic fare, all you need are some jars with lids, a good cooler, and some ice packs to keep things cool until you're ready to eat.
29 I hope you'll try these recipes whether you're going on a picnic, or not.
30 Here I am with Alicia Ybarbo, the Today Show producer.
31 And a nice shot with Leslie Fagan, Stage Manager.
32 And here I am with Anduin Havens. Anduin worked on my television show as a Supervising Production Designer and now is Director, Special Project Design.
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Martha, I've been putting picnic fare in jars for years, but...my jars were just what I had around the house, and the food was never as fancy as yours.
The dessert looks soooooooooo delicious! All of it looks delicious, but I think the dessert looks the most tempting in the middle of the night.
I like your outfit...simple, but elegant.
Gloria G!!
Posted by: Gloria | July 13th, 2012 at 12:14 am
Hi, Martha,
Thank you for such a great idea! Can't wait to try it.
Thanks,
Posted by: Bobbie | July 13th, 2012 at 2:45 am
I am a bit obsessed with Jars! So this was a perfect segment for me ! I keep my dog treats in jars, lavender in jars, sewing kit, old buttons, and our favorite new jar: The Christmas Jar.
Posted by: Nantucket Daffodil | July 13th, 2012 at 7:00 am
Savanah and you look lovely, I miss Ann Curry and also miss the days when Mom would pack jars with lunch for Dad. We would walk out to the field carrying it to him.Country trails were dusty but he would stop tractor and rest in shade of large tire to enjoy simple snack. I love jars and have saved many but just do not know where to put them all..
Posted by: ann | July 13th, 2012 at 7:32 am
It seems jars are all the rage now! They're not only a good idea for packing food for picnics, but what about for road trips? Thanks for giving us great food ideas Martha! The 7 layer dip, Nicoise Terrine and Expresso Mousse not only look easy to prepare but yummy also! By the way, I enjoy seeing you on the Today Show Martha, you always present informative and imaginative segments!
Posted by: Cindy F | July 13th, 2012 at 7:57 am
Hi Martha, I love seeing you on The Today Show and this time seeing you and Savanna Guthrie was wonderful and one of the longest presentations so far! I do miss Ann Curry who was another great co-anchor and fun to watch, too! All of those foods and drinks you showed us in great looking jars were spectacular and look so delicious-yummmm! My mouth is watering again seeing your fantastic picnic foods and would love that fruit flavored wine, also! Fun to see that video again and again just like all of the others! Thanks for sharing the video and the website of Cavaniola's Gourmet Cheese Shop! That looks like one great place to visit on my list of what to see in your area some day! Sure has been fun seeing your TV Shows about animals all week-always love seeing animals! Sure hope you have a terrific day again and a delightful weekend! Hope you get to see Alexis, Jude, and Truman again and loved Alexis' newest photos on her blog-fantastic! Jan
Posted by: Jan Erickson | July 13th, 2012 at 9:38 am
Martha,
Thanks for sharing this blog.
Posted by: KLBrown | July 13th, 2012 at 11:14 am
Hi Martha,
Yep, that was a great segment on the Today Show. I’m another one who loves jars and will only throw them out if the lid goes bad and I can’t find one to fit or if I can’t get a peach smell out. I don’t like the smell of peaches. I like colorful food though so that seven-layered dip is right up my alley and so is the Salade Nicoise. After watching this on Wednesday, I made a salad with what I had handy which happened to be garden rotini, tomatoes, mozzarella, scallions and lite Italian dressing. It looked so colorful in my little jar and tasted even better than on a plate. Ha-ha. Thanks for always providing us with new ideas and great recipes and I’m glad you’re pinning recipes too because there are many I have not seen before, or I’ve forgotten them. Have a great weekend all and a safe Friday the thirteenth if you’re superstitious! I’m not. Trish
Posted by: Trish | July 13th, 2012 at 11:23 am
What a great idea! Where can I get those awesome jars with handles on them for the sangria?! And what about those cute wooden forks? Everything looks wonderful!
Posted by: Jessica | July 13th, 2012 at 11:59 am
Hi, Martha,
I thought of something later after I thanked you for your great ideas and recipes. How about putting names on the jars filled with goodies? That way if someone doesn't finish their serving/jar, they can put it back into the cooler, finish it later, or take it home.
Thanks!
Posted by: Bobbie | July 13th, 2012 at 1:21 pm
We have a local restaurant that serves its desserts in mason jars - then if you don't finish it they slap on a lid and you can take it to go. I love seeing this idea utilized for picnics - this makes it so much easier to prep and pack. I liked Bobbie's additional idea of labeling the jars, which is also great in case you need to make a special dish for someone (no peppers, no peanuts, etc). I usually recycle plastic jars for things to carry in the car or the hurricane kit, but now I have another reason to breakout the good Ball jars.
Posted by: Jennifer | July 13th, 2012 at 2:49 pm
As usual a beautiful and inspirational idea. Love it! I'm going to try it this summer. However - for the dessert - I don't think I'd do dairy (in the summer heat? eh...) maybe a fruit crumble would hold up better on a picnic?
Where did you get those forks and spoons?? They are so cute? Are they bamboo? Are they from your Macy's collection? I'm going to have to hunt them down on the internet.
Posted by: stephanie | July 13th, 2012 at 2:55 pm
Martha, I really enjoyed your segment on the show. Seeing these wonderful pictures make me want to have a big picnic this weekend.
Posted by: Adam | July 13th, 2012 at 3:38 pm
Love this segment and amazing idea. Have a wonderful weekend xo
Posted by: Rowaida Flayhan | July 13th, 2012 at 4:20 pm
Hi Martha,
Enjoyed your ideas. Like your TV show.
Jerry
Posted by: Jerry Eastridge | July 13th, 2012 at 9:58 pm
I am obsessed with canning and canning jars!!! I am definitely going to start doing this. What a most fabulous idea! I miss you on regular tv since we do not have cable, so I am following your blog so I can continue to get inspiration from you! Thank you so much for the great ideas!!!
Posted by: Ginger | July 13th, 2012 at 10:20 pm
I hate when those shows rush you. That's what I like about your show, you allow enough time to demonstrate and to talk with the guests.
Great ideas. I'll be making this exact picnic when it cools off.
thanks again!
Posted by: Casey C. | July 13th, 2012 at 11:01 pm
Loved the segment on the picnic in jars. Would you please share with me the recipes. I don't see them. Thank you
Posted by: Meedith Murray | July 14th, 2012 at 6:56 pm
Beautiful food and styling. And your shoes! They are so fun.
Posted by: Karen | July 15th, 2012 at 12:31 am
Hi Martha ! I'm dying to find out what breed of dog was on your pet show during Friday's episode. We have one just like it and his name is Jack. I loved the menu items, the purée was a great idea.
Posted by: Tracy | July 15th, 2012 at 9:18 pm
Such a lovely segment, Martha! You were so pleasant to watch and managed to pack so much into such a little bit of time. I love the idea, too!
Thank you, as always, for sharing with us!
Posted by: Josh | July 15th, 2012 at 11:20 pm
Martha, I am so sorry to hear about your friend. May I please follow your blog? I realize I should know how to do this... yet I do not.
Posted by: laura ramey | July 16th, 2012 at 2:23 am
Too cool. I've started to use jars more and more because are more "green" than plastic but the best thing is that they are clear and easier to see what you have in the frig. Less likely for things to go bad.
Posted by: Lora | July 16th, 2012 at 6:42 pm
The Mason jar has been a standby for me whenever I am entertaining outdoors - candles, layered drinks, desserts all look beautiful in jars. I picked up a few new tricks I can't wait to try out at the next patio party - great segment (once again)!
Posted by: Nicole | July 20th, 2012 at 2:43 pm