5 ways to summer picnic perfection

Check out these 5 ways to summer picnic perfection and then get outside!

As summer picnics are just so much fun. Food somehow tastes better when it’s packaged up in a little wicker hamper and eaten on a cosy blanket in the sunshine. So dust off the picnic basket, create some deliciously healthy snacks and venture out into the countryside.

One of the most frustrating things about planning to eat outdoors in this country has got to be the weather. You would think July and August would be fairly safe months to venture to the park with a basket full of goodies over one arm and a picnic blanket under the other, unfortunately you might have to add a large umbrella to the list, just in case! Trying to plan a picnic around the weather is virtually impossible and there’s nothing worse than a lot of disappointed little faces and a fridge full of fresh food going to waste. Sure you can lay a rug down in the lounge, but indoor picnics just aren’t the same.

If you are going to try and enjoy an al fresco meal in the park, here are some brilliant fresh food ideas, using ingredients you can store in the cupboard for a fair while, just in case the forecast switches back to heavy showers.

Keep things healthy

It’s so tempting to throw in bags of crisps, chocolate bars and a packet of biscuits, but a picnic can actually be super healthy and still taste amazing. Avoid the temptation to be lazy and take a extra time to make wholesome treats like carrot sticks and hummus and chicken salad.

And keep things bright

Colourful food always looks good. In fact, the brighter something looks, the more chance you’ve got of convincing little ones to eat the healthy option. I love making colourful dips and serving them with these amazing bright blue and yellow corn crisps. These are gluten-free and naturally coloured thanks to naturally stone-ground blue and yellow corn.

Use up your store cupboard

Making dips using tinned beans and chickpeas means that you don’t have to rush out and buy fresh ingredients if you’re planning a last minute picnic. My favourite dips are butterbean and parsley and pink peppercorn hummus, both of which can be thrown together in a blender using tinned beans, garden herbs and a little lemon or lime juice.

Try fruit kebabs

I’m not talking greasy, leftover takeaways! Get your kids to join in the picnic preparation fun by chopping a melon into chunks for them, add tinned pineapple and grapes and get your little ones to thread the fruit onto long wooden skewers. A brilliant, fun way to take lots of fresh fruit with you on your picnic. It travels well and it’s easy to eat on-the-go.

Make some trail mix

Shop-bought trail mix often contains lots of added sugar. Making your own is a brilliant, much healthier alternative. Simply combine your favourite nuts, raisins, dried fruit and seeds together, adding a few dark chocolate chips if you fancy a sweet treat.