It looks like we are going to have the good weather over the next few days , so why not plan a picnic its a great way to catch up friends, get the kids out in the air or even have little romantic get together... and remember the simplest of food always tastes better.
What’s handy to bring along?
Why not keep some of these in the boot of your car… then you are ready for a picnic at any time...
· A picnic rug – look out for the ones that are backed with waterproofing very handy as ground can be damp..
· Most of us have a couple of folding chairs and if you happen to have a picnic table or even an old-fashioned card table ..
· Good quality plastic cups, glasses & plates are a worthwhile investment… if not pick up some paper ones…
· A cooler bag to keep your food safe and chilled!
· A pack of wipes – definitely handy for cleaning hands etc.
· A couple of bottles of water are always useful
· A disposable barbeque.. if you want to cook some saussies, etc.
Mediterranean Filled Ciabatta
1 large ciabatta
6 thin slices of prosciutto (or shaved ham)
6 thin slices of garlic salami
1 handful of baby spinach or (baby mixed leaves )
2 Tbls of Pesto
1 ball of buffalo mozzarella
6 olives chopped
2 tomatoes finely sliced
2 grilled red peppers sliced
6 good sized basil leaves
Extra Virgin Olive Oil
1. Cut open the ciabatta lengthways and drizzle a little olive oil all along the base & pesto across the top.
2. Place the spinach on the base with the garlic salami next then the peppers, olives, mozzarella, basil, tomatoes & finally prosciutto. – season with salt & pepper
3. Tie the loaf with string both lengthways and across the middle.
4. Cover with cling film, pop into the fridge for 4 hours or overnight placing something on top to weigh it down for example a baking tray with something weighty on top.
5. Remove from the fridge and simply take on your picnic. Slice just before serving… enjoy.
Grilled Veggie & Mozzarella Ciabatta
These compressed Ciabattas are fantastic to take on a picnic as they are deliciously tasty and just a little bit different than your normal lunch sandwich...
1 large ciabatta
1 handful of baby spinach or (baby mixed leaves )
2 Tbls of tapenade or pesto
2 balls of fresh buffalo mozzarella
2 tomatoes finely sliced
2 grilled red peppers sliced
1 grilled courgette sliced
½ grilled aubergine sliced
6 good sized basil leaves
Olive Oil
Salt & Pepper
1. Cut open the ciabatta lengthways and drizzle a little olive oil all along the base & pesto across the top.
2.Place the spinach on the base with aubergine on top followed by the courgette, peppers, olives, mozzarella, basil & tomatoes, season with salt & pepper.
6. Tie the loaf with string both lengthways and across the middle.
7. Cover with cling film, pop into the fridge for 4 hours or overnight placing something on top to weigh it down for example a baking tray with something weighty on top.
8. Remove from the fridge and simply take on your picnic. Slice just before serving… enjoy.
Perfect Picnic Food..
1. Roast a whole chicken – when cool cut into pieces – pop into a plastic storage box in the fridge ready to take on your picnic... Kids love this... pop in some sauces eg. Satay, Honey Mustard dressing etc. for the adults.
2. Make a simple Quiche – buy some ready made pastry – line a tart case, whip up 6 eggs, with 4 tbls of cream, pop 2 handfuls of cooked mushrooms, baby tomatoes, & grated mozzarella cheese. Pop into a preheated oven @ 180 for about 20 mins or until set in the centre
3. Roast salmon fillets, with a lime dill mayo
Take 4 salmon fillets –drizzle with olive oil and lemon and cook @ 170 for 12 mins or until cooked.
When cool pop into a plastic storage box and keep in the fridge.
Dill Mayo... 2 tablespoons of dill to 4 tablespoons of mayo and the juice of one lemon. Mix well and pack in a little carton again keep in the fridge until you are ready to head off..
Chicken Satay with cucumber & pineapple
Take 4 chicken breasts and cube them, thread onto skewers about 3 to each skewer.
Buy a jar of prepared Satay sauce and smother half the jar over the raw chicken.
Cook @ 170 for 15 mins on a baking tray turning once. Remove from oven and transfer to a container with a lid(easy for transporting) Cool and pop in the fridge until you are ready to head off…
Cut cucumber and pineapple into chunks. Pack cucumber & pineapple into a little container the same goes for the remainder of the Satay sauce ready for use @ the picnic..
Simple Tasty Sandwich Fillers
· 3 Hardboiled eggs mixed with 1 tbls mayo & finely chopped spring onion
· Drained Tuna, Sweetcorn, chopped coriander & sweet chilli sauce
· Sliced Ham, Mature Cheddar & Tomato relish
· Cos lettuce, grated parmesan , chopped bacon, hardboiled egg & Caesar dressing
· Buffalo mozzarella cheese, fresh basil & Irish tomatoes
· Coronation Chicken, 1 tbls mayo, ½ teasp curry powder, mixed with chopped chicken breast and diced cucumber
No comments:
Post a Comment