Perfect picnic
Who doesn't love a picnic? Make your picnics extra special this summer with our helpful tips for this wonderful occasion, including fabulous recipes.
Enjoy some outdoor dining this summer by keeping a few things in mind
There’s something special about picnics. Whether as a romantic dinner or a family gathering, they can transform an ordinary meal into a festive event. So, how do you plan the perfect one?
First, try and choose a location with toilets and running water. If you need to walk far to get to your picnic spot, carry your gear in a backpack or trolley instead of baskets.
Next, pack for the weather; bring a waterproof rug, sunscreen, insect repellent and hats. When it comes to food (the most important part!), it’s best to keep things simple: think sandwiches, salads, crudités with dip, quiches and cakes.
To serve, paper plates and napkins are an easy option, but if you plan to share the day on Instagram, jam or mason jars and glass bottles look great as cups, containers or salad-dressing shakers. And don’t forget the little things that can make or break the day: cutlery, a bottle opener, condiments, wet wipes, hand sanitiser and bin bags.
Super-charge your picnic with this healthy salad
Want to impress your fellow picnickers with a nutritious and delicious dish? Combine a few cups of cooked quinoa with some shredded kale, fresh blueberries, almonds and feta, then dress to taste with olive oil, lemon juice, salt and pepper. For best results, keep all the ingredients separate until you’re ready to serve (though you can make the dressing in advance and store it in a jam jar for easy access later on). So little effort, with such great results: this nutrient-packed salad contains four superfoods and will add a splash of colour to your picnic spread.
Add a healthy twist
These days, kale is the superfood that everyone’s either talking about or eating. And for good reason: it’s one of the most nutrient-dense vegetables around, containing high levels of fibre, lots of vitamins and minerals and an abundance of antioxidants. It even has cancer-fighting properties and is believed to reduce the risk of heart disease. There are plenty of ways to include it in your picnic: you can add it to sandwiches and salads, bring along a kale quiche or frittata, make kale chips or even prepare a kale pesto to serve with chopped vegies. It’s the ultimate picnic food!