A Summer of Blankets and Baskets: 9 Picnic-Perfect Menu Ideas

In honor of Bing’s new Summer of Doing campaign, we’re thinking about, well, things we can do this summer. This week's theme is "The Week of Eating," and not surprisingly, we're into it. Amanda & Merrill will be serving as official experts for the food-centric week, and we'll taking part in a few other fun things, too, like creating a Foursquare list of our favorite food trucks, helping you to get the best of curbside cuisine. And breaking down locavorism by showing you how to embrace the tastes of where you live. And as usual, we'll be instagramming and tweeting it all along the way.

But first things first: now that the warm weather is fully in swing, and with Summer of Doing as our inspiration, we can’t help but keep circling back to picnics. (We’ll take any excuse to eat a meal al fresco, on a blanket.) On the next pitch-perfect summer day, pack your picnic basket chock-full of these foods that travel well and are best eaten outdoors. Salads this sturdy will hold up to the summer heat -- ensuring that the only thing you’re getting from the sun while you picnic is a tan.

Pan Bagnat: Le French Tuna Salad Sandwich by Waverly

Summer Farro Salad by Jennifer Perillo

Haricots Verts à la Dijonnaise by AntoniaJames

Watermelon and Goat Cheese Salad with a Verbena Infused Vinaigrette by loli

Radish and Pecan Grain Salad by amanda

Dilled, Crunchy Sweet-Corn Salad with Buttermilk Dressing by creamtea

Summer Squash Couscous with Sultanas, Pistachios and Mint by The Internet Cooking Princess

Plum Avocado Summer Salad by Lena S.

Simple Summer Peach Cake by Savour