There's nothing like getting together outside in the fresh air with a tartan blanket laid out and a basket full of a tasty treats to share with your friends and family.
Picnics are a timeless family tradition, with the first ever picnic dating back to the early 19th century. Gathering around a basket of food in a memorable place has always been a fantastic way to relax and catch up, and why not make the experience even better by cooking up a few mouth-watering snacks?
Homecooking is always welcomed and it needn't take long, especially when the sun is shining outside! Whether you're keen to head off to the local park, riverbank or beach, we've put together this list of quick and easy picnic recipes to make it simple to plan meals before heading off into the great outdoors. Prep one of the delicious picnic recipes from our list.
If you're a true foodie, why not indulge in a Great Britain food holiday?
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With the season in full swing, take a look at some quick and easy recipes to pack into your basket, to get your taste buds tingling and your mouth watering, or find the perfect picnic destination and plan your next holiday by browsing our UK cottages.
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Classic potato salad
The potato salad is a staple of picnics everywhere and the recipe is so easy there are only two real steps to it - boil the potatoes and assemble your ingredients! Make it for dinner parties and meet-ups too, or just prep it at the weekend to take out and about with you on day trips during your holiday.
- Chop the potatoes into chunks and fill a pan with water. Bring the water to a boil then reduce heat to a simmer, add a pinch of salt and add the potatoes. Cook until the potatoes are tender, about 20 minutes - try piercing them with a fork to check!
- When the potatoes have cooled down you can assemble your potato salad. Mix together 3/4 cup sour cream, 1/4 cup mayonnaise, 2 teaspoons mustard, 3 shallots, 1/4 cup chopped parsley. You can add a host of other ingredients too - try spring onions, pickled cucumber or bacon.
And you're done! This classic picnic dish is super quick, easy, and tasty!
Sizzling salad jars
This truly is a recipe to accommodate everyone! Simple but satisfying. Fill a jar (Kilner jars work well for this) with your favourite flavours. Sounds very simple but there is a trick to it - always pour the dressing in first!
- Pour in your dressing. Whether it be Caesar, French or olive oil, the dressing goes at the bottom to stop the other ingredients from going soggy.
- Next add your grains, pasta or proteins.
- The fixings are next; nuts, raisins and cheese are among this list.
- Add the leafy greens at the top.
- Screw on the lid, leave in the fridge overnight and hey presto! A fresh and beautiful salad for the great outdoors.
Experiment with different fruits and vegetables, cheeses, meats, nuts and grains and dressings to find your perfect combination.
Homemade potato chips
Everyone loves the crunchy bite of a well-cooked crisp and this recipe allows you the satisfaction of making your very own batch at home. This recipe is for classic salt and pepper crisps but feel free to get creative and try adding your own flavours when seasoning them. Store in an airtight container once they are ready.
- Chop the potatoes into very thin slices - use a vegetable peeler to get them extra thin and crispy! Soak them for 30 minutes in 2 litres of water with 5 teaspoons salt added.
- Combine 2 teaspoons of garlic powder, 1 1/2 teaspoons of celery salt and 1 1/2 teaspoons of pepper in a bowl. Drain the potato slices and pat dry with kitchen towel.
- Heat oil in a skillet then fry potatoes in batches until golden brown (around 3-4 minutes).
- After removing the potatoes and draining them on paper towels, season with the salt and pepper mixture and allow to cool.
Feta and peach couscous
Perfect for a little sweet and savoury course during your lunches out and about, feta and peach couscous is a delightful (and healthy!) treat. Feel free to pick your own ingredients to add a little personal flair to the dish if you want to mix it up a bit. You might prefer a mix of vegetables or a feta and tomato couscous mix.
- We'd recommend three peaches for a two-person serving. De-stone and quarter the peaches, mix with 35g mixed seeds and 150g feta chopped into chunks with a tablespoon of olive oil.
- Pop the mix in the oven for 12-15 minutes at 200C/180C fan/gas 6.
- Cook your couscous in a pan according to pack instructions, usually around 5-15 mins.
- Take your peach mixture out of the oven and mix together ready to take out on your picnic.
Cajun chicken kebabs
A favourite among adults and kids alike, this easy recipe keeps you full and is super tasty!
- Mix raw chicken cubes in a bowl with juice of a lime and two tablespoons of Cajun spice mix. Make sure the chicken is coated well and leave them to marinade in the fridge.
- Meanwhile, pre-heat the grill and chop peppers and tomatoes into slices.
- Alternate the chicken, tomato and pepper on a skewer.
- Place under the grill and cook for 12 minutes, turning every 4 minutes.
- Allow to cool and pack in a cool box.
Ravishing red pepper houmous
Use this yummy treat to dip carrots, cucumber, crackers or bread into.
- Rinse and drain a can of chickpeas, and tip into a food processor. Peel garlic and add to the chickpeas. Blend for 30 seconds.
- Add two roasted peppers from a jar along with one tbsp lemon juice, 2 tablespoons of olive oil and half a teaspoon of chilli powder. Blitz it all together until smooth.
- Add poppy seeds on top and put into a sealable bowl.
Sensational strawberries
We've all tried dipping strawberries in chocolate, now try making your own delicious chocolate strawberries to take out and about with you. A chocolatey treat for anyone with a sweet tooth, these strawberries really do hit the spot!
- Hollow the top from a strawberry.
- Boil water and pour into a saucepan on high heat.
- Put a bowl over the top of the saucepan covering the water and place in chocolate squares. Stir until melted.
- Wait for the chocolate to slightly cool and pour into the hollowed strawberry.
- Repeat this and put into the fridge to harden for 10 minutes.
Don't forget to find your perfect picnic spot! There are remarkable outdoor destinations all across the UK, from the mountainous Peak District to the soft-sand beaches of Cornwall, so you can make your days out even more special. Cook up these tasty treats in one of our cottage kitchens before heading out with friends and family to dine in the great outdoors. Find the perfect cottage to prepare your picnic feast.
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