Dining Al Fresco: Prairie Style (Get the Recipes)

There's a particular kind of magic in eating a meal under open sky. Maybe it's the way food simply tastes better with a little sunshine on your shoulders, or the way conversation stretches longer when there's no clock on the wall. If you grew up with screen doors clapping shut and card tables dragged out onto the grass, you already know the feeling — the whole family gathered around a spread nobody wanted to leave. That feeling is still yours for the taking, and this is the season to reach for it.

Start in the cool of the morning with a relaxed brunch that lets everyone enjoy the soft air. Let the hottest hours pass in the shade. Then, once the light turns golden and the evening cools back down, gather everyone again around the grill for a supper worth lingering over. Below you'll find both spreads: a brunch table for the gentle morning, and a BBQ table for when the grill comes out at dusk.

Let us know if you decide to make any of these for your own al fresco feast, or share your favorite outdoor dining experience in the comments below!

Picnic Brunch In the Garden

These bright & light bites pair perfectly with a roundup of good friends, a soft breeze, and some lively chit-chat!

Cucumber & Herb Tea Sandwiches

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Smoked Salmon Tea Sandwiches

These adorable rounds add just the right amount of richness to the brunch table!

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Chicken Salad Croissants

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Buttermilk Currant Scones

Wonderful as an appetizer alongside a starter beverage, or as a dessert with an after-brunch coffee or tea!

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Thumbprint Butter Cookies

Your guests will have no problem putting their finger on why they can't stop nibbling these jammy delights!

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An 'Unexpected' Backyard BBQ

These recipes bring a refreshing new take on your typical down-home cookout, without losing any charm or char-marks!

Peach & Burrata Salad

The summer sweetness of peaches is delicately balanced by creamy burrata and crisp peppery greens. It's a dream pairing alongside good BBQ. 

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Grilled Italian Sausage & Summer Vegetables

Well-seasoned sausage and fresh veggies, grilled to perfection and enjoyed based on guest preference — mixed into a medley or savored separately!

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Buttermilk Cornbread

A BBQ staple for centuries, brought to your picnic table as an unexpected alternative to your basic rolls or hot dog buns!

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Watermelon Fruit Jello

More than just a refreshing bite, creating these fruit-filled slices is a fun project for you that delivers a genuine WOW-factor for them!

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Blueberry Pie

It's a classic, and yet somehow these decadent slices will still surprise your guests by just how well they finish the meal, as they watch the sun begins to drop behind the horizon. 

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Let us know in the comments if you decide to recreate any of these al fresco sensations for your friends and family + keep scrolling to see more of the featured items we used to set our picnic tables!