Party Theme/Idea: It’s hot so ask friends to come over for an indoor picnic. Cook out inside with hamburgers, hot dogs, brats, Tomato and Onion salad, and blueberry pie. Decorate a picnic basket for a festive effect.

Favorite Recipe: Tomato & Onion Salad with Basil Dressing from Upperline Restaurant

Ingredients:
Exotic Greens
4 good vine-ripened beefsteak tomatoes
(Creole tomatoes if in Louisiana), cut into ¼ inch slices
2 Vidalia (or Maui Maui or other sweet) onions, sliced thinly
Fresh sweet corn

Preparation:
To serve, cover platter with exotic greens. Then alternate layers of tomatoes and onions. Serve with basil dressing and top with fresh sweet corn.

Basil Dressing

Ingredients:
1 cup fresh basil leaves, well chopped
2 cups homemade mayonnaise
1 tablespoon lemon juice
1 tablespoon Dijon mustard
2 cloves garlic, crushed
Salt and white pepper, to taste

Preparation:
Combine all ingredients in a food processor and taste for salt and pepper.

Favorite Flower: Vinca or Marigolds

How-to Idea: Picnic basket decorated with flowers

– Secure a water soaked mini-deco holder (floral foam with self-adhesive base) on top of basket.
– Insert flowers to cover.