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picnic dishes

Perfect Picnics

Picnics are a fun way to enjoy time with family and friends. It’s always better to plan ahead especially with our unpredictable English weather and choose your location beforehand. Many parks now have lovely picnic tables. By food demonstrator & home economist, Teresa Bovey.
 |  Teresa Bovey  |  Food & Drink

Orzo, Courgette & Sundried Tomato Salad

 

Ingredients

  • 180g orzo or any small pasta shapes
  • 1 courgette, cut into small dice 
  • Zest and juice of 1 lemon
  • 70g sundried tomatoes in oil, chopped into tiny pieces
  • 2 tbsp oil from the tomatoes
  • 3-4 mint or basil leaves, chopped
  • Salt and freshly ground pepper

Method

  1. Cook the orzo as directed on the packet adding diced courgette for the last 2 minutes of cooking. Drain and rinse in cold water once cooked.
  2. Put into a bowl, add the zest and juice of a lemon, chopped tomatoes and mint or basil leaves. Season to taste.
  3. Refrigerate until needed.

Serves 4-6 

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Baby Tomatoes with Mozzarella Balls & Basil Dressing

Ingredients

  • 325g mixed baby tomatoes
  • 125g Mozzarella Balls, drained weight

Dressing

  • 10 basil leaves
  • 3 tbsp extra virgin olive oil
  • 1 tbsp white wine vinegar
  • 1 tsp Dijon mustard
  • Salt and pepper

Method

  1. Halve the tomatoes and put into a bowl with the Mozzarella balls.
  2. Whiz together the dressing ingredients in a small blender and pour over the tomatoes.
  3. Stir gently to mix. Refrigerate until needed.

Serves 4-6

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Spanish Potato Salad 

Ingredients 

  • 2 medium potatoes, peeled and diced
  • 1 carrot diced
  • 80g frozen peas
  • 80g fine green beans diced
  • 1 small red onion, diced
  • 4 cocktail gherkins, diced
  • 2 tbsp capers
  • 12 olives, halved
  • 1-2 hard boiled eggs, chopped

Dressing

  • 3 Tbsp mayonnaise
  • 1 tbsp lemon juice
  • 1 tsp Dijon mustard
  • Black pepper

Method

  1. The potatoes, peas, carrots and green beans may be steamed or boiled for 12-15 minutes or cooked on Full power in a microwave for 7-8 minutes.
  2. Drain the vegetables and put them into a large bowl with all the remaining salad ingredients. Leave to cool.
  3. Combine the dressing ingredients and add to the salad, stirring well to coat.
  4. Refrigerate until required.

Serves 4-6

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Roasted Red Pepper Houmous 

Ingredients 

  • 1 can chick peas, drained and rinsed
  • 2 large roasted red peppers in oil
  • 3 tbsp oil (I use the oil from the red peppers or any Borderfields flavoured rapeseed oil)
  • 1 tbsp lemon juice
  • 1-2 cloves garlic
  • ½ red chilli (optional)
  • Salt and pepper

Method

  1. Blend all the ingredients in a small food processor and season to taste. 
  2. Serve with flatbreads, crackers,  sesame rice cakes or bread sticks.

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Iced Peach & Orange Tea

Ingredients

  1. 6  Peach and orange tea bags
  2. 2-3 tbsp sugar
  3. Zest and juice of I orange
  4. 1 Orange, thinly sliced
  5. I small sprig mint

Method

  1. Make up tea as directed on the packet in a large jug.
  2. Add 2 tbsp sugar, zest and juice of 1 orange and a small sprig of mint.
  3. Once cooled refrigerate until needed.
  4. Pour into a sealable drinking container, adding a couple of ice cubes before you travel.

Serves 6

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Summer Picnic Loaf

Ingredients

  • 1 small round sourdough loaf
  • Butter or mayonnaise for spreading
  • Spinach and lettuce leaves
  • I x Mozzarella cheese ball, thinly sliced
  • 3 roasted red peppers from a jar
  • Slices of salami or ham
  • Sliced tomatoes.

Method

  1. Cut a slice from the top of the loaf approximately ¼ way down.
  2. Remove most of the bread from inside the bottom larger piece, reserve and freeze the crumbs for use at a later date.
  3. Optional - Spread a little butter or mayonnaise inside the loaf and on the underside of the top slice. 
  4. Arrange a layer of lettuce in the base of the loaf, top with sliced cheese, the roasted red peppers, more salad, salami or ham and sliced tomatoes and finally more salad. Add as much filling as you like.
  5. Put the bread lid on top and wrap the bread tightly in foil or food wrap to allow the flavours to mingle. 
  6. To serve – cut the loaf into 4 or 6 pieces.

Cooks Tip - use any cooked meats, or cheese that you like. Try using tinned tuna or salmon. Also if you prefer make a vegan option using houmous, sundried tomatoes and vegetables. Make in advance and leave in the fridge for a couple of hours so all the flavours mingle. 

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Apple & Summer Fruit Flapjacks

Ingredients

  • 75g butter
  • 50g golden syrup
  • 40g demerara sugar
  • 160g rolled oats
  • 1 Braeburn apple, peeled, cored and finely diced (150g)
  • 80g mix of summer fruits eg. raspberries, strawberries, blueberries 

Method

  1. Preheat the oven to 170ºC Fan/Gas 5. Line the base and sides of a small loaf tin with greaseproof paper.
  2. Melt the butter, golden syrup and demerara sugar in a medium saucepan.
  3. Stir in the rolled oats and mix well. 
  4. Press half of the oat mixture into the base of the lined tin.
  5. Mash the apples and summer fruits together with a fork and spread over the oats.
  6. Top with the remaining oat mixture.
  7. Bake for 25-30 minutes. 
  8. Leave to cool in the tin.
  9. Slice into 6 slices, and cut into squares to serve. 

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Picnic Tips

These are my tips for planning a prefect picnic.

  • Always use a cooler for your food where you can. 
  • If you have a picnic basket ensure you have ice packs to keep foods chilled.
  • Try and prepare foods that do not spoil easily and keep things as simple as possible.
  • Choose finger foods or foods that you can eat with a fork or spoon.
  • Cover foods tightly in sealed re-useable containers, avoid glass as its heavy to carry.
  • Bring mini pots of condiments for things such as mayonnaise or pickles rather than packing the whole bottle or jar.

Make a list of things you might need beforehand to ensure you have everything you need:

  • Picnic blanket & waterproof ground cover 
  • Plates, cups, cutlery, utensils, cutting board, a knife,  napkins, cloths
  • Rubbish sack
  • Sanitiser wipes
  • Ice packs
  • Bottle opener
  • Insect repellent
  • Sun screen
  • Sunhats or umbrellas
  • Balls or games for young children