The way to pack a picnic
Packing your hamper
- Learn our decide of the perfect picnic equipment and stow away your unfold in type.
- Select your gear fastidiously – nothing dampens spirits greater than a leaky cool field.
- Earlier than you set off, verify your containers are shut tight.
- Wrap any notably pungent objects in a plastic bag.
- If it is a scorching summer time’s day, a cool field will turn out to be useful for retaining your picnic items chilled.
- Plastic cups or bottles are finest for little ones to keep away from breakages.
- When you’re bringing wine glasses for the grown-ups, think about packing a light-weight tray to perch them on throughout pouring and between sips.
- When you’re sampling cork-sealed wine, do not forget the bottle opener.
Meals security
- There is no must threat a humorous tummy in case you plan and pack fastidiously. Cool bins and ice packs are important to maintain refrigerated objects as cool as potential. So, retailer issues like meat pies, fish, or dairy dishes correctly, and do not delay digging in as soon as you’ve got reached your vacation spot.
- Whereas it could look interesting to put out your fare for all to see, retaining your meals on ice for so long as potential will cut back the chance of getting to discard something that is been sitting within the solar all day.
- We advise reducing dishes akin to quiche into wedges and serving them immediately from the cool field.
- Lastly, carry some hand wipes or anti-bacterial gel and guarantee everybody’s arms are clear earlier than consuming.
Discover out extra about methods to transport meals safely.
Storage suggestions
- Keep away from soggy salads and sandwiches by retaining elements akin to dressings, fillings and optionally available extras saved away in separate containers.
- Chill these elements if needed and solely mix them when wanted.
- Add components like goat’s cheese to salad, or pre-chopped fruit to your dessert simply earlier than serving.
Uncover extra useful picnic suggestions and methods.
Picnic meals concepts
Picnic centrepiece
Make picnic prep extra easy by getting ready a primary dish forward which will be simply divided. This showstopping hen, ham & asparagus picnic pie is nicely well worth the effort and could have everybody requesting second slices. For a veggie possibility, this vibrant, multi-layered rainbow picnic pie is bursting with vibrant veg mixed with eggs and feta.
Extra picnic mains…
Quiche Lorraine
Coronation quiche
Picnic tortilla
Rooster, sausage & prune pie
Pork & rabbit pie
Fig & Serrano picnic bread
Transportable snacks
As soon as you’ve got assembled your equipment, it is time to plan your picnic provisions. Sandwiches, pies, scotch eggs, sausage rolls and hen drumsticks are thought-about basic picnic treats for a cause – they’re all finger meals that journey nicely. Layer up a picnic baguette with salami, spinach, basil, pesto and mozzarella for a mouthwatering chew with or create a vibrant veggie rainbow sandwich. Make a batch of completely portioned mini pork pies with piccalilli, or take inspiration from South America, with these scrumptious fried beef & chorizo empanadas. Bacon-wrapped or spicy Coronation drumsticks are additionally assured to please a crowd.
Go gourmand with chorizo scotch quail’s eggs and smoked salmon scotch eggs or whip up a lighter batch of vegetarian falafel scotch eggs. We advise taking your chilled dishes out of the fridge and wrapping in foil, then in bubble wrap earlier than placing into your cool field, to maintain them at a protected temperature for so long as potential.
Extra moveable classics…
Ham, pea & mint pasties
Air-fryer pork, apple & sage sausage rolls
Egg & cress membership sandwich
Cauliflower cheese rolls
Pressed picnic sandwich
Tremendous salad wraps
Salads and sides
Pasta and potato salads are excellent for picnics, because the hearty components maintain up nicely, even when they undergo a little bit of battering in transit. This tremendous summer time allotment salad with English mustard dressing makes essentially the most of any seasonal veg you’ll find. Crunchy cucumbers, radishes and crimson onions are featured however why not additionally throw in some fennel, celery and spring onions. One other picnic staple comes within the type of boiled eggs, that are the centerpiece of this herby parsley & watercress salad.
Dressed, leafy salads will be turn into lacklustre if left too lengthy, so add the ultimate touches simply earlier than serving to keep away from the dreaded wilt. Get intelligent by layering heavy components and sauces on the underside of your container – strive our rainbow salad pots, griddled salad jar or hummus, tabbouleh & feta picnic bowl. To combine it up, swap pasta shapes for an orzo & mozzarella salad or swap plain potatoes for his or her extra vibrant cousin on this candy potato salad.
Extra salads and sides…
Fennel, pomegranate & broad bean salad
Seven methods to excellent potato salad
Egg ‘n’ bacon dippers
Courgette,inexperienced bean & feta salad
Summer season salad recipes
Cumin-roasted carrot & cauliflower with inexperienced tahini dressing
We have additionally acquired loads extra vegetarian and vegan picnic recipes.
Candy treats
Picnic puddings will be difficult as most desserts both soften or want cautious dealing with, however there are nonetheless a great deal of picnic-friendly puddings to select from. Traybakes and loaf desserts are very best – slice earlier than packing in case you’re not taking a pointy knife. These seasonal blackberry bakewell squares will be transported within the tin and can maintain up in opposition to the warmth of a scorching, sunny day. Brownies, shortbread and cookies are straightforward to wrap up and share out. When you’re after one thing extra subtle, jars make completely portioned vessels to move softer sweets akin to these strawberry & cream cheesecakes, jelly jars or peanut butter cookies.
Extra candy treats…
Blackberry & hazelnut crumble flapjacks
Straightforward vanilla cupcakes
Raspberry coconut scones
Rainbow fruit skewers
Pink berry & granola yogurt pots
Orange & apricot loaf cake
Thirst-quenching tipples
Whether or not you go for refreshingly fruity or daring and boozy, pack one thing to sip on whenever you’re sprawling within the sunshine. Household-friendly choices akin to our pre-chilled coconut & pineapple cooler, blueberry & mint iced tea and zingy blackberry lemonade are positive to please a crowd. Barely extra subtle palates will savour elderflower & cucumber G&Ts, or wine based mostly rosy spritzers. On a cooler day, a flask of espresso, tea or scorching chocolate is certain to counter chilly fingers.
Extra scrumptious drinks…
Summer season punch
Rhubarb cordial
Gooseberry & mint lemonade
Refreshing crimson wine cooler
Watermelon lemonade
Citrus iced tea
See our summer time drinks assortment
Take a look at extra excellent picnic concepts…
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Get extra inspiration on our picnic hub web page.
What are your prime picnic suggestions? Go away a remark beneath…
