- Joined
- May 12, 2010
- Location
- Now Florida but always a Kentuckian
Today, April 23, is National Picnic Day. The English word for picnic comes from the French "pique-nique". These elegant outdoor feasts date to the Middle Ages. At the Medieval feast which were held during hunts, many dishes were served.
Up to Victorian times, these picnics were for the very rich. The Victorian era was the time that the picnic crossed class lines and became popular with other classes, such as middle class.
Mrs. Beeton in her "Book of Household Management" (which has been posted about several times on the forum) gave detailed instructions on how to hold a picnic. This cookbook was very popular in the Victorian era. It was used in England and America. Mrs. Beeton writes one must serve cold roast beef, cold roast chicken, duck, cheesecakes and cold plum pudding. For the beverages she writes one should serve beer, claret, sherry and brandy.
In America during the 19th century, picnics became popular. The favorite dishes became fried chicken, watermelon and beer.
During the Civil War, mention of picnics was at the Battle of First Bull Run/Manassas. People from Washington came to watch the battle. They brought along their picnic baskets.
References: http://www.history.com/news/hungry-history/history-in-a-basket-its-picnic-time
http://www.civilwar.org/hallowed-ground-magazine/spring-2011/spectators-witness-history-at.html
Up to Victorian times, these picnics were for the very rich. The Victorian era was the time that the picnic crossed class lines and became popular with other classes, such as middle class.
Mrs. Beeton in her "Book of Household Management" (which has been posted about several times on the forum) gave detailed instructions on how to hold a picnic. This cookbook was very popular in the Victorian era. It was used in England and America. Mrs. Beeton writes one must serve cold roast beef, cold roast chicken, duck, cheesecakes and cold plum pudding. For the beverages she writes one should serve beer, claret, sherry and brandy.
In America during the 19th century, picnics became popular. The favorite dishes became fried chicken, watermelon and beer.
During the Civil War, mention of picnics was at the Battle of First Bull Run/Manassas. People from Washington came to watch the battle. They brought along their picnic baskets.
References: http://www.history.com/news/hungry-history/history-in-a-basket-its-picnic-time
http://www.civilwar.org/hallowed-ground-magazine/spring-2011/spectators-witness-history-at.html