Nothing says summer quite like a picnic! It doesn’t take a lot of planning, just a little bit of preparation is all you need for a memorable afternoon. Here’s a list of treats & snacks that will make the perfect picnic.
If you don’t have the time to make these recipes then pop into our award winning restaurant and pick up some perfect picnic meals that the whole family will love from Yougurts to fruit pots that we make fresh every day.
Fresh Fruit Salad
This is a great snack to enjoy on a picnic especially if you want something light and refreshing!
Ingredients
- 1 red or green apple
- 2 tangerines or small oranges, peeled
- 12 black or green grapes
- 1 medium banana, peeled
- 2 kiwi fruits, peeled
- 1 large thick slice of pineapple, fresh or canned
Method
- Wash the apple and then cut into quarters removing the core. Cut into chunks
- Divide the tangerines or oranges into segments
- Wash grapes and half each one
- Cut banana and kiwi fruit into slices
- Cut pineapple into chunks
- Place all fruit in the bowl, add the orange juice and mix well
Yogurt fruit cups
These easy make-ahead yogurt fruit cups with home-made fruit compote are perfect to enjoy on a summer picnic
Ingredients
- 4 tbsp Granola
- 2 tsp Honey (optional)
- 1 handfull Mixed Berries such as blueberries and chopped strawberries
- 400 g Natural Yogurt or low-fat vanilla
Method
1. Half fill a jam jar with the yogurt. Top with a few tablespoons of granola, then the berries. You don’t want to fill the jar all the way to the top, though, because you’ll need a little room to stir it up when you’re ready to eat. Finish with a drizzle of honey, if using, and screw on the lid. Alternatively, you could create layers of yogurt, granola, berries and honey instead. Place in the fridge overnight.
2. In the morning, pack the pots with an airtight container of carrot and cucumber batons and a bottle of cold water or unsweetened fruit juice. Don’t forget the spoon!
Pesto Chicken Salad
This Pesto Chicken Salad is the perfect quick and easy lunch to make and enjoy on a summer picnic
Ingredients
- 50g couscous
- 2 tbsp pesto
- 2 tbsp fat-free yogurt
- 2 cooked skinless chicken breasts , shredded, or 200g leftover roast chicken, shredded
- ½ small bunch of basil, leaves picked and torn, plus a few small leaves to serve
- ½ cucumber, chopped
- 2 sundried tomatoes in oil, drained and sliced
- 2 Little Gem lettuces, leaves separated
- 2 tsp toasted pine nuts
Method
1. Put the couscous in a large heatproof bowl and cover with 100ml boiling water. Stir in 1 tbsp pesto. Cover and leave for 8 mins.
2. Fluff the couscous with a fork, then stir in the rest of the pesto, the yogurt and some seasoning. Toss in the chicken, basil, cucumber and tomatoes.
3. Spoon the couscous mix into the lettuce leaves and eat with your fingers, or serve over the lettuce like a salad. Scatter over the pine nuts and more basil before serving.
Chocolate Dipped Strawberries
This one is very easy but so tasty, so try not to eat all the strawberries before you start melting the chocolate!
Enjoy these dipped berries as a snack or take them with you for a spring picnic in the park!
Ingredients
- 100g (dark) chocolate, roughly chopped
- 400g strawberries
- 30g white and milk chocolate, roughly chopped (optional)
Method
- Cut a strip of baking parchment and leave it to one side. To melt the dark chocolate, fill a small pan with 2cm water and bring to a simmer. Put the chocolate in a heatproof bowl and rest it on top of the pan, ensuring the bowl isn’t touching the water. Stir the chocolate to gradually melt it. Or, melt the chocolate in 20-second blasts in the microwave, stirring after each blast until melted. Put the melted chocolate in a small deep bowl.
- Gently hold the strawberries by the leafy top and dip them into the chocolate. Tap off any excess chocolate and put it on the parchment to set. If you have any leftover chocolate, pour it onto another strip of parchment and leave it to set, it can be used again.
- If you’d like to decorate the strawberries, melt the white and milk chocolate and drizzle lightly over the fruit.
