While nature is shaking off the last bit of winter, we’re becoming more and more excited about all of the activities that we have planned for the season. Our plans include long lunches, sunset soirees, the beach and of course, picnics. We know how to dress for a day in the sun, but when it comes to the picnic there are other elements that you need to consider.
First things first: find a good picnic spot. A comfortable grass patch is perfect for a day spent outdoors, with a great big tree for shade. Once you’ve located an ideal space, spread a large, comfy blanket out on the grass and start unpacking your basket. Make sure that your basket is big enough for everything that you want to pack and includes all of the essentials.
The highlight of any picnic is the food. Stick to simple lunches such as individually wrapped sandwiches instead of large, heavy meals and pre-cut fruit for dessert and in-between. Another quick and easy meal idea is a salad in a jar – layer all of your salad ingredients in a jar for a healthy and delicious lunch alternative. You can also use mason jars for pre-mixed drinks, which saves a lot of time on cleaning up.
We’ve also found a great recipe for antipasto skewers, another mouth-watering lunch alternative that does not require a lot of effort to prepare:
You will need:
Cherry tomatoes
Mozzarella balls
Medium black olives
Salami, thinly sliced
Fresh basil leaves
Tortellini pasta
Balsamic glaze, for drizzling (take a look at our decadent balsamic splashes here)
Skewer sticks
Cook the tortellini according to box directions and set aside once it’s done. Line up all your ingredients in an assembly line. Pierce each ingredient onto the skewer and slide down towards the bottom. Arrange your ingredients in such a way that the different coloured ingredients complement one another. For the salami it is best to fold it in half, then in half again so it makes a triangle shape. Fill your skewer with as many ingredients as you want. Drizzle a balsamic glaze over the final product before serving and voilà!
Along with your blanket and basket, also remember to take a cooler box and a garbage bag to dispose of any empty packets and bottles. Invite your nearest and dearest to join you for a lovely outdoor lunch and you have all of the ingredients you need for a day in the great outdoors.
