Bastille Day Backyard Picnic
by: Becky Coate

Tired of the same old July fourth barbecue? How about hosting a 14th of July, French Independence Day party? On that date in 1789 the people of Paris stormed the Bastille (a jail for political prisoners) as a symbolic act of rebellion against the monarchy and Louis XVI. In the culinary world it meant the liberation of chefs who had served the aristocracy and were now able to cook for the common people! Why not celebrate this date with some good French bistro food in your own backyard?

Forget the picnic tables, folding chairs, paper plates, plastic forks and canned beer! Bring out blankets, rugs, pillows, china, silver and wine glasses to create a fancy French picnic. Maps of Paris or French flags could serve as invitations. The party could even be for adults only, as opposed to the more traditional family-oriented Fourth of July.

Your Bastille Day soiree will practically plan itself if you follow this simple, and life-saving timeline. By planning a little in advance, this special party will be a snap. It's best to send out invitations 2-4 weeks in advance. While it's not the exact same time as the Fourth of July, people are still busy in the summer and they will want to be able to clear their schedule to make this party. Two weeks before the party decide on a menu, purchase liquor and organize your service ware. Patricia Wells has written many superb French cookbooks, such as Bistro Cooking and At Home in Provence, and will be an excellent source for your menu planning. Simple, crisp white platters and plates are perfect set upon bright and colorful blankets. Any dishes you choose will surely shine when served on Asa's 18" oval deep platter or 13 x 13 square platter. The white backdrop is a perfect blank canvas for your creations. Purchase any potted plants and backyard lighting 1-2 weeks prior to the event so you can play around with what looks most festive and sophisticated. The weekend before, make sure to groom your yard, as your guests will be dining on your turf. If the weather becomes an issue, as it sometimes does in Minnesota, just move your furniture around and set up everything on your living room floor, which you should then also have groomed! Prepare or purchase menu items 3-7 days in advance, depending on perishability. Select cut flowers a few days prior to the event to allow them to open. Day of the party? Buy bread and ice, lots and lots of ice.

Here is menu that I think would be wonderfully accepted. Begin your party with an aperitif of Pernod and simple syrup over ice or a Champagne cocktail (both are so very French). Appetizers could include a savory tart such as the traditional Pissiladiere, consisting of onion, anchovy and black olive. Store bought pates, terrines or sausages served with crusty baguettes and French mustard, such as Edmond Fallot’s green peppercorn or classic-spiced Dijon, would please even the pickiest friends. A crudités platter with aïoli (garlic mayonnaise) will add beauty and crunch to the beginning of your party.

After an hour or so, set out platters with more substantial fare and crack open the French wines! Wine sticks will help steady the glassware while your guests relax on the blankets. Depending on time and energy, you can buy or prepare a roasted chicken, to be served cold or warm. Let your guests remove the meat with their fingers, like fried chicken but a bit more sophisticated. France is known for their roasted chicken, and you'll surely find some great recipes in Julia Child's Mastering the Art of French Cooking by Julia Child or Bistro Chicken by Mary Evans. A Salad Niçoise served on a large platter allows guests to pick and choose what elements of the salad they would like and it looks fantastic. A homemade or store bought quiche, served cold or room temperature would compliment the salad and/or chicken. Keep an ample supply of bread and wine and toast ‘Vive la France’!

For dessert, provide a selection of cheeses such as blue and or triple cream Brie. An apple tart is a traditional French dessert and would be tasty with some vanilla ice cream. However, if you want to really wow your guests, you can serve a clafoutis. A clafoutis is a French-country dessert made by topping a layer of fresh fruit with batter. After baking it's served hot, sometimes with cream. Some clafoutis have a cake-like topping while others are more like a pudding. Though cherries are traditional, any fruit such as plums, peaches or pears can be used. It would make a wonderful finale to your Bastille Day picnic.