National Picnic Week: the best recipes, from gazpacho shots to sausage rolls
It doesn’t take much to have the British thinking about picnics. A hint of blue sky, a stray shaft of sunlight, even a break in the drizzle, inspires some to reach for blankets, wicker baskets and coolboxes.
Supermarkets are brimming with inventive and delicious portable foodstuffs at this time of year, and the cunning host will, of course, decant or repackage in such as manner as to make every item plausibly homemade.
But you will definitely want to make one or two star items yourself. For inspiration, and to celebrate National Picnic Week (June 15 to 24), we have here the best recipes for an unforgettable picnic.
Sandwiches, tarts and savoury snacks
Beetroot tart with fennel and dill
Roast chicken sandwiches with homemade mayonnaise and tarragon
Cucumber and anchovy sandwiches
Chicken and watercress pithivier
Summer-greens and fresh-cheese pie
Ham hock terrine with spicy beetroot relish
Salads and sides
Roasted vegetable and orzo pasta salad with basil, pine nuts and Parmesan
French bean and tarragon salad
Mary Berry's watermelon, feta and mint salad
Pea, radish and spelt salad with mint
Thyme and olive oil focaccia recipe
Desserts and sweet treats
'Queen of Sheba' chocolate cake
Lemon and lavender yogurt cake recipe
Pistachio and sour-cherry Florentines
Macaroons and strawberries recipe
Drinks
Sage and fresh-mint lemonade recipe
