🐖🍎 What Would Red Riding Hood Pack In Her Basket?

Imagining a forest picnic with Red

Lately I’ve been thinking about fairy tale food. Not just grand feasts or poisoned apples, but the real food. The kind of meals that would sustain a girl walking alone through a shadowy forest, basket in hand. The kind that taste like comfort and quiet bravery.

What would Red bring to a picnic?

Something rustic and portable, of course. Something she could share with a friendly wolf or nibble beside a mossy log while the wind rustled through the trees.

Speaking of Red… have any of you watched the PBS adaptation of Revolting Rhymes?

It's a really great twist on traditional fairy tales including Little Red Riding Hood, The Big Bad Wolf, The Three Little Pigs, Cinderella, and more. It's also based on Roald Dahl's 1982 book illustrated by Quentin Blake.

Sophie and I love this mini TV movie, so I naturally thought about a recipe for Red that could have been inspired by the book and film.

This is what I came up with first.

🐷 Red’s Three Little Pigs Salad

A creamy, herby ham salad with just the right blend of savory and sweet. Made with a mix of deli hams (three kinds, if you please), full-fat Greek yogurt, plenty of chopped celery and chives, a pinch of Penzeys Bavarian seasoning (a nod to Red's German roots), and just a whisper of fig jam.

It’s the kind of spread that feels both humble and a little enchanted. You can serve it with crackers or dark russet potato chips, tuck it into a croissant, or spoon it straight from a jar while watching the sun flicker through the branches.

I tested a rough version this morning, and think it’s going to be a new favorite.

If we really do make it to go berry picking or have our own quiet little forest retreat this summer, I'll be sure to pack it along—sealed tight and chilled in a cooler with a few other magical recipes to help inspire rest and wonder.

If you'd like to make your own foresty ham salad, I’m including a printable recipe card below.

And if you're dreaming up your own Red Riding Hood picnic, tell me what you’d add to the basket. A wild berry tart? A gingham-wrapped wedge of brie? Maybe a little pot of honey from the edge of the woods?

There's more fairy tale food to come, plus some fun extras coming up for paid subscribers! Hint hint: Now is a great time to upgrade 🌿🔥

Stay tuned.

With fig-sticky fingers and forest thoughts,

🦊 Shannon