"Almost

any occasion can be perfect for picnicking," says Sarah Leah Chase,

picnic expert and author of The Nantucket Open-House Cookbook. "And

I wouldn't think of heading off for a summer day at the beach or a stargazing

adventure without a charming picnic basket brimming with fun-filled treats."

One tip, Chase

suggests, is to use top-quality ingredients. For example, when making

salads, quiches and sandwiches, go for real mayonnaise, such as Hellmann's

and Best Foods brands. These creamy condiments add smooth texture to favorite

picnic foods, such as this delectable recipe:

Seashell

Pasta Salad

Prep time:

about 20 minutes

Makes 4 to

6 servings

4 oz. small

seashell pasta, cooked, drained and cooled

1 pkg. (9 oz.)

frozen baby peas, thawed

3 oz. thinly

sliced prosciutto or ham, minced

1/4 cup pine

nuts, lightly toasted

1/2 cup Hellmann's®

or Best Foods® Real Mayonnaise

1/3 cup prepared

pesto (purchased or homemade)

1 Tbsp. fresh

lemon juice

Salt and freshly

ground pepper to taste

In large bowl,

combine pasta, peas, prosciutto and pine nuts. Stir in mayonnaise, pesto

and lemon juice until well combined. Season with salt and pepper to taste.

Chill until

ready to serve. Garnish with basil sprigs, if desired.

Chase offers

these additional tips to help enhance the occasion:

· Make

food safety a top priority by keeping chilled food cold with freezer packs

or coolers.

· Celebrate

seasonal and regional foods, including new variations on old picnic standbys

chicken, tuna, potato salad, etc.

· Don't

be afraid to pack a little extra food. Picnicking is conducive to making

friends and sharing. Europeans always pack picnics for train journeys

and many lifelong friendships have begun by breaking a baguette with fellow

travelers.

· Take

a cue from professional party planners and sit in a circle, using a round

tablecloth instead of a rectangular, well-worn blanket.

· Contrary

to myth, don't hold the mayonnaise. Add it to salad mixtures during initial

preparation. The acid and salt in commercial mayonnaise actually helps

to protect food from spoilage.

· Unleash

the whimsy. Search out an old-fashioned picnic basket for carrying the

meal.

Top-quality

ingredients and a sense of occasion can make for fresh, fun picnic fare.