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Home » Round-Up

How to create a Picnic worth heading outdoors for

May 4, 2016 by Jane Saunders 8 Comments

Various images of picnic suitable food with text overlay

The first of this summer’s Bank Holiday Weekends has just passed us by in the UK. I’m going to be typically British for a moment and tell you that the weather was not quite up to scratch. What’s with the frosts that won’t go away even though it’s now May? And chilling wind – just so you know – it’s okay to hop right off for a few months. Despite the weather, my family were not deterred from heading outside with our food. We shivered our way through enjoyed two picnics on days out.

But guess what? Those picnics consisted of some very typical food. Think sandwiches, cherry tomatoes, a piece of fruit, the odd bag of crisps and some cartons of juice. There’s nothing wrong with those food items, but there’s no reason to settle for the norm when picnics could be so much more. A little bit of thought and a pinch of effort could make our standard picnic so much more exciting.

With excitement in mind, I’ve compiled a list of picnic friendly items to help you spice up your outdoor munch-up a little. I’ve included savoury pastry treats, carbohydrate based salads, hearty sandwiches, fresh salads, enticing nibbles, refreshing drinks and sweet treats. Basically, all you could possibly wish for and more besides. Plan ahead and include one or two different dishes each time you pack up for your day out. Before you know it, your friends will be swarming around you with picnic envy.

Savoury Pastry Treats

Blue Cheese, Watercress & Artichoke Tarts

Those full-on flavours will satisfy vegetarians and non-veggies alike.

Blue Cheese, watercress and artichoke tarts
Cheesy Potato & Bacon Scotch Eggs @ www.theflavorbender.com

Forget the shop bought ones. Indulge. Splurge. Treat yourself to a proper Scotch egg.

Potato and Bacon Scotch Eggs

Wild Garlic & Guinness Sausage Rolls @ www.recipesfromapantry.com

When you know you want just a hunk of meat within your pastry – go posh.

Wild Garlic Guinness Sausage Rolls

Tempting Drinks

Hibiscus & Raspberry Soda
Hibiscus Raspberry Soda drinks with lime and raspberry garnish

Pack some syrup, a bottle of fizz and some cups and treat the kids

Frisky (Vodka) Summer Punch @ www.giraffescanbake.com

Not driving? Treat yourself.

A jug of Frisky Summer Punch with text overlay
Bourbon Caramel Steamer

When you know the weather is going to disappoint (what are you, British?)  – pack a Thermos flask – Bourbon optional but recommended.

Bourbon Caramel milk drink being poured into a glass mug

Salads with Carbohydrates

Mexican Quinoa Salad @ www.greenhealthycooking.com

Surprise on textures and flavours. Pack in neat little pots and enjoy.

person squeezing lime juice over Mexican Quinoa Salad
French Potato Salad @ www.monpetitfour.com

So classic. But done so very well.

French Potato Salad on a plate

Hearty Sandwiches

Chicken Peanut Butter Sandwich @ www.brazilianflairintheusa.com

This one is teasing me.  Juicy, tender chicken, crunchy veg and that hit of savoury-salty intrigue from the peanut butter. Let’s do it.

Chicken Peanut Putter Sandwich
Spicy Cucumber Sandwiches @ www.naivecookcooks.com

Indeed Ma’am. High tea on a picnic is possible.

Tea Time Spiced Cucumber Sandwich

Curry Chickpea Salad Pittas @ www.naturalgirlmodernworld.com

Top notch. Coronation chicken, move over.

Curry Chickpea Salad Pitas

Tantalising Nibbles

Beet Dyed Devilled Eggs @ www.asideofsweet.com

So pretty. I reckon even the kids would be tempted.

Beet Dyed Devilled Eyes
Japanese Rice Balls Onigiri @ www.chopstickchronicles.com

Dare to be different. The filling can be customised depending on your preferences and they hold together well.

Japanese Rice Balls Onigiri

Spinach & Yoghurt Frittata @ www.recipesfromapantry.com

Individual Frittata. Enough said.

Spinach & Yoghurt Frittata
Lemon & Thyme Marinated Olives @ www.deliciouseveryday.com

If only we could take that pretty plate with us to serve them on. Regardless, olives are necessity on picnics, so let’s make them good ones.

Lemon & Thyme Marinated Olives

Fresh Salads

Spiralised Greek Salad @ www.oldhousetonewhome.com

Following the latest trends (exactly like my wardrobe) what 2016 picnic would be complete without a spiralised salad? This one is a corker, filled with the flavours of laid back, sun-soaked Greece.

Spiralized Greek Salad
Three Bean Salad @ www.sidewalkshoes.com

Robust and full of flavour. Easy to pack into individual containers.

Three Bean Salad on a plate
Hawaiian Slaw @ www.platingsandpairings.com

A refreshing update on the classic slaw. Not a scrap of mayo in sight.

A plate of Hawaiian Slaw with red cabbage and pineapple

Sweet Surrender

Brown Sugar Flapjack (Oat Bars)

Hearty fuel for that rounders game you’ve promised the kids.

Brown Sugar Oat Bars stacked up
Spiced Trail Mix Popcorn @ www.hapanomnom.com

Munch mid-walk or during the sit down picnic. It’s entirely up to you… if you can wait.

Spiced Trail Mix Popcorn
Strawberry Shortcake Cupcakes @ www.swankyrecipes.com

The epitome of British summertime in a cupcake.

A Strawberry Shortcake Cupcake cut in half to reveal a strawberry in the centre
Sugared Walnut Fruit Salad @ www.tastesoflizzyt.com

A healthier alternative dessert to pack for a picnic… or a great palate cleanser after an earlier indulgence.

Sugared Walnut Fruit Salad

Round-up complete. Right now, I’m imagining all of these picnic items laid out together on a picnic blanket.

All. At. The. Exact. Same. Time.

It’s a pleasant thought.

Did you enjoy this recipe compilation? I have more:

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  • The Ultimate Hot Chocolate Collection
  • Rice Krispie Treats: The Ultimate Collection
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  1. Kathleen | Hapa Nom Nom

    May 05, 2016 at 1:50 am

    Wow! They all look so amazing! I’m going to need an awfully big picnic basket to fit it all in 😉 Thanks for including my Trial Mix Popcorn!

    Reply
    • Jane Saunders

      May 05, 2016 at 9:27 am

      … And a fork lift truck to pick it up once full of these goodies. I’ll help you demolish it all though.

      Reply
  2. Meghan | Fox and Briar

    May 04, 2016 at 7:59 pm

    So much good stuff here! I can not wait for picnics this summer.

    Reply
    • Jane Saunders

      May 07, 2016 at 1:34 pm

      Thanks Meghan – me too.

      Reply
  3. [email protected]

    May 04, 2016 at 5:11 pm

    Thanks Jane for including my tea time cucumber sandwiches!! Awesome round up!!

    Reply
    • Jane Saunders

      May 04, 2016 at 7:58 pm

      Thanks Ami – I’m in love with those neat little cucumber stacks of yours

      Reply
  4. jayne

    May 04, 2016 at 2:18 pm

    what an awesome roundup Jane! we are lucky over here in western australia that even winter can bring a few picnic worthy days. Love your idea of Bourbon in a thermos! the panini and the deviled eggs are my pick I think. Thanks for including my prawn and mango salad in a jar 🙂

    Reply
    • Jane Saunders

      May 04, 2016 at 7:59 pm

      No problem Jayne. I really can’t decide on my favourites, so the only think is to sign myself up for at least a dozen picnics this summer and tackle two at a time. Then maybe I’ll be able to judge.

      Reply

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