Picnic Menu: Egg Salad and Tomato Arugula Salad

Is there anything as wonderful as a picnic on a warm summer day?  Keep the salads cold with a large ice pack, and don't forget the fuzzy blanket.

Peach Shortcakes

"An apple is an excellent thing - until you have tried a peach."

This is one of my new favorite desserts.  The biscuits are close to perfection: dense and extremely moist, with just a touch of sweetness.  Peaches, both sliced and mashed, mingle perfectly with the light and airy whipped cream.  To break from the usual cake, cookie, pie routine, these shortcakes are fabulous.

2 pounds peaches
9 tablespoons sugar (4 ounces)
2 tablespoons orange juice
8 tablespoons unsalted butter (4 ounces)
2 cups unbleached all-purpose flour (14 ounces)
2 teaspoons baking powder
3/4 teaspoon table salt
2/3 cup buttermilk, cold
1 extra large egg
1/2 cup heavy cream
1/2 teaspoon vanilla extract

Fried Chicken

 

Fried chicken is one of my all-time favorite foods.  This recipe is by far the best I've tried; the crunchy crust is packed with big taste and because of the marinade, the chicken meat is super tender and juicy.  Try to buy the smallest chicken pieces possible (the large ones have little flavor and take forever to cook).

3.5 pounds bone-in, skin-on chicken leg quarters
3 teaspoons black peppercorns
1 tablespoon + 1 teaspoon table salt
1 teaspoon garlic powder
1 teaspoon paprika
1/4 teaspoon cayenne pepper
1.25 cups buttermilk
3 dashes hot sauce
2 cups unbleached all-purpose flour (10 ounces)
2 teaspoons baking powder
1.75 cups vegetable oil