▲A traditional British snack, the humble pork pie has been gracing picnic spreads since the word "picnic" was invented. A great inclusion in any basket.

▲Roasted, crunchy almonds make a delicious and healthy snack. It's a perfect appetizer to go nuts over!

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Saucisson, a dried cured sausage from France, is an ideal accompaniment to cheese. It's also a wonderful sandwich filler. Try and get hold of Rosette de Lyon, a French favorite.

▲It's a labor of love to prepare, but pâté en croûte—baked liver in puff pastry—adds a gourmet flourish to any picnic spread.

▲A delicious pick for outdoor dining, and as mouth-watering eaten cold as it is when hot.

▲Fruit spritzers are easy to concoct and make tangy and refreshing alternatives to alcoholic drinks. Pictured is a grapefruit spritzer with club soda.

▲This creamy, nutty-tasting French cheese will need to be kept chilled, so keep it in the cooler and serve by order.

▲Marinated olives with herbs will lend your spread a decidedly Southern European character.

▲Quinoa salad with broccoli, sweet potatoes, and tomatoes... a super summer combo or what?! Well worth the effort to prepare beforehand and pop in the cooler to go.

▲Get creative with a caprese salad: skewer sweet tomato, mozzarella slices, and basil leaves for a different take on this simple Italian classic.

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Sometimes less is more. Invest in quality sparkling water, drop in a couple of lemon slices or a dash of mint, and quench your thirst in an instant.

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These easy-to-make quinoa ricotta spinach fritters are super healthy. Tip: spice up the picnic dining experience by adding thinly sliced hot chili peppers.

▲This vegan-friendly option brings together tomato, cucumber, couscous, mint, and pomegranate to produce a typical Middle East dish that's as colorful as it is flavorsome.

▲A great picnic hamper standby, the Scotch egg is a traditional British snack where a hard or soft-boiled egg is wrapped in sausage meat, coated in bread crumbs, and baked or deep-fried. Enjoy with pickle or coleslaw.

▲What's a picnic without a dip or two? A healthy bowl of hummus is best served with pita chips and a sprinkling of paprika.

▲Mix ice-cool water with slices of oranges and bits of blueberries, strawberries, and mint for a zesty, healthy refreshment.

▲Add either tuna or anchovies to round off a salad Niçoise, and dress using only the best quality virgin olive oil. Very nice!

▲Believed to have originated in the Netherlands way back in the mid-18th century, coleslaw is a favorite side dish and works wonders with chicken or as a salad dressing.

▲You can't beat freshly baked bread, and the baguette epitomizes a picnic get-together. The more crispy the crust, the better.

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You could throw in some individual fruit and be done with it. But why not take time and prepare a handful of fruit skewers? Tutti-frutti alfresco, if you like.

▲If your tastes are simple and you'd rather not stand on ceremony, a round of sandwiches filled with homemade jam—strawberry or apricot, perhaps—can color any picnic spread.

▲Wine is a perfect picnic complement, and there's one that sums up summer in an instant: vinho verde. Light and fresh, this Portuguese wine originates from the country's Minho region. Look for those made with the Alvarinho grape variety.

▲Originating in the English village of Cheddar in Somerset, this lovely cheese is best savored with crackers and a dollop of pickle. Try it extra mature!

▲How about these artisanal bites, made with avocado paste and decorated with edible flowers? Go on, spread the news!

▲Wine choice largely depends on the palate, but there's one picnic red wine that stands out: Plessis-Duval Saumur Champigny. This fresh, raspberry-fruited Cabernet Franc from the Loire Valley is perfect served slightly cool.

▲If it's hot, dry, and sunny, consider making up a green salad of celery, cucumber, cabbage, onion, greens, herbs, and spices— a superfood super bowl!

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Whether you're banqueting on the beach or munching in a meadow, feasting in fine weather requires a bit of thought and lots of imagination. Still not sure what to prepare? Click through this gallery for a detailed menu plan.