By Monica Heisey
TD’s Dream in High Park was a family tradition for years; then I discovered illicit boozing and the cool-date potential lurking within my former family favourite. Whoever you’re bringing, be it a cute guy you picked up at the book store, a gang of your friends interested in feeling high-brow for a night, or your family (Mom and Dad, we can still go!), the picnic beforehand is half the fun. This year’s production of Romeo and Juliet, set in a Verona train station, has abbreviated the script, making it easily digestible even for those who hated the Bard in high school. Here are some easily digestible recipes you can bring along.

Julius Caesars
A classic day-boozing beverage, this recipe makes one, so multiply everything by however many you want to serve to friends/down yourself.
1 oz vodka
salt
celery salt
pepper
1 dash Worcestershire sauce
1 dash Tabasco® sauce
clamato juice
Rim tall glass with celery salt, fill with ice and ingredients. Garnish with a celery stick, and lime.

To Be or Not to Beet Salad
Quick and impressive, makes approximately 4 servings.
1 (16 ounce) can whole beets
1/4 cup white sugar
1 teaspoon prepared mustard
1/4 cup white wine vinegar
1/4 cup diced red onion
Drain beets, reserving 1/4 cup liquid, and slice into 1/4 to 1/2 inch slivers. Add onions and toss.
In a saucepan over medium heat, cook the sugar, mustard and reserved 1/4 cup liquid until dissolved. Add vinegar and bring to boil; remove from heat and allow to cool.
Pour over the beet slices and onions, toss and refrigerate for 4 to 6 hours. Remove from refrigerator and serve at room temperature.

Friends, Romaine, Countrymen
Caesar salad makes a picnic. This version makes a pretty heaping bowl.
Salad:
1 head romaine lettuce
2 cups (500 mL) croutons
1/4 cup (50 mL) grated Parmesan cheese
Dressing:
1/4 cup (50 mL) vegetable oil
2 tbsp (25 mL) grated Parmesan cheese
1 tbsp (15 mL) white wine vinegar
2 tsp (10 mL) Dijon mustard
2 tsp (10 mL) anchovy paste
2 cloves garlic, minced
1/2 tsp (2 mL) each salt and pepper
1/2 tsp (2 mL) Worcestershire sauce
3 tbsp (50 mL) light mayonnaise
In bowl, whisk together oil, cheese, vinegar, mustard, anchovy paste, garlic, salt, pepper and Worcestershire sauce. Whisk in mayonnaise until smooth

Other dishes to consider: Romeo and julienne potatoes, Taming of the Stew, Macbeth-aroni, etc.