Everything Tastes Better Outdoors

Island summers are meant for picnics. The weather, the scenery, the lifestyle of Martha's Vineyard all lend themselves to ideal al fresco dining. The best picnics are impromptu affairs. There are plenty of places on the island offering great "to-go". A few sandwiches or lobster rolls, a little fruit, a chilled bottle of wine can all be fetched on the fly. You can even find some pretty snazzy picnic hampers and packs to stylishly stash your feast.

There are a myriad of meadows, beaches and breath-taking vistas to choose from for your outdoor dining. I think it is always nice to include something homemade in a picnic hamper.

Here is a very easy and very appropriate dessert for any picnic menu. They go together very quickly. By the time your lobster rolls are ready to pick up; these will be ready to pack up.

Preheat the oven to 350 degrees
1 package refrigerated pie crust
1 jar of good quality of peach jam
Iced water
Granulated sugar

Unfold the refrigerated pie crust and using a glass as a guide cut 3 to 4 inch circles from the pie crust. Place 3 tablespoons of peach jam in the center of each circle. Fold the circles of pie crust in half and place on a cookie sheet. Dip a fork in iced water and press the edges of folded circles of pie crust to seal. Use the fork to pierce the top of each tiny tart three or four times. Brush the tops with additional iced water and sprinkle with a pinch of granulated sugar. Bake the jam tarts in the middle of the preheated oven for 8 to 10 minutes or until golden. Allow the tarts to cool for a half hour before packing in your picnic hamper or tote.

View more Dinah's recipes: Cooking from the Farmers Market | Lazy Man's Lobster