Planning for a picnic? Here’s what to bear in mind

Planning a picnic is as fun as going to one. The venue and other logistics aside, half the success of a picnic lies in the food.

This does not necessarily mean whipping up a gourmet meal. Simple can also be tasty and delightful. Here are some basic steps to bear in mind while planning a picnic.

Take advantage of the wide range of ready-made products available in supermarkets, such as salads – they make your work much easier.

Cooked meats

There are plenty of cooked meats to choose from, as well as meat products such as meat pies, sausage rolls and Scotch eggs. You could also go for chicken fillets or drumsticks, or toss plain cooked chicken in a ready-made herby mayonnaise, served with fresh salad leaves.

Finger food

Generally, finger food is the most convenient and pleasing picnic fare.

If you fancy sandwiches, try your favourite fillings in pitta bread or focaccia. Pies, chicken portions, slices of vegetable or meat loaf and sliceable cakes are also good bets.

Deli goodies

If you’re lucky enough to have a good delicatessen, you could create an entire picnic just from its selection of pies, pâtés, cooked meats, cheeses and antipasti. This is where to find more exotic fare too, such as tubs of pastes and dips, kebabs, rich pâtés or juicy olives dressed in oil and herbs.

Condiments

Don’t forget relishes, pickles, chutneys, sauces, dips and dressings. And don’t ignore tins either - look out for tinned artichokes, sardines or tuna and various tinned beans to mix into salads or serve on crusty bread.

Salads

Assorted fresh salad is plenty in supermarkets. They’re washed, well-packed, and therefore ready to use. There are lots of other handy salad items that will enhance a picnic, such as cherry tomatoes, baby sweetcorn cobs and pre-cut crudités, plus a range of choices of dressings. However, if you want homemade salad, pack your ingredients separately in airtight containers.

Breads

Try sandwiches with different types of bread - seed bread, herb loaves, French bread or focaccia. Think about taking small rolls, baps, or pitta bread, so you don’t have to worry about cutting up huge loaves. Good bread, a few nice cheeses, a good quality pâté and a bottle of wine can make a delicious simple picnic.

Chilled treats

As well as ready-made sandwiches, wraps and rolls, go for dips such as hummus or tzatziki and flavoured yogurts. Chilled soups are easier to deal with than trying to keep things hot in thermos flasks - try gazpacho or chilled cucumber and mint.