It’ll Soon Be National Picnic Week: Here Are Some Foodie Ideas

Is there any summer activity more enjoyable than a picnic? There’s the sunshine, the warm weather, the beauty of the outdoors and, of course, the tasty spread of food.

Celebrate all things picnic this National Picnic Week, which runs from June 19 to 27 this year. Though the UK is expected to remain in lockdown during this time, you can still safely enjoy an outdoor picnic in a group no larger than 30 people.

So, grab your picnic basket and blanket, phone up your family and friends and read on for food ideas that will make your picnic a success…

Grazing Platter

A grazing platter combines all the best aspects of a cheeseboard and a charcuterie board all on one plate perfect for sharing.

Variety will be your best friend when constructing the perfect grazing platter. When it comes to cheese, try to have at least one hard (like Manchego), one semi-hard (like cheddar or gouda) and one soft cheese (like spreadable brie) on your platter. Select different types of cured meats, like salami and parma ham, as well as fruit, nuts, olives or dips to round out your grazing platter. Finally, you can’t forget crackers, breadsticks or crusty bread for scooping up the cheese.

Mozzarella and Pesto Toasties

Sandwiches are an absolute picnic essential! This mozzarella and pesto toasties recipe from Delicious Magazine is an easy-to-make, yet flavourful addition to any outdoor picnic spread. With freshly made pesto, wonderfully salty parma ham slices and plenty of mozzarella and parmesan to spare, you’re certain to love this toasted sarnie.

Charred Corn, Chicken and Tortilla Salad with Chipotle Yogurt Dressing

Salads are also a picnic food staple, but a plain salad simply won’t do.

Give this Mexican-inspired salad from BBC Good Food a try, then. It’s packed with cut tortilla wraps, lettuce, barbecued corn and chicken, avocado, tomatoes and beans, with a zesty, sweet chipotle yogurt dressing to top it all off. The result: a hearty, refreshing burrito in a bowl, perfect for a hot summer’s day.

Homemade Guacamole

Guacamole is quite the versatile dip. You can dunk chips into it, spread it over toast or a sandwich, load up a salad or substitute for sauces. In other words, it’s a must-have picnic food companion!

This recipe from BBC Good Food uses just a few ingredients to create a chunky guacamole dip that’s bursting with flavour. It’s easy to make, too, so you can whip it up the day of your picnic for ultimate freshness.

Chocolate-Covered Strawberry Brownies

Fresh fruit is a great addition to any picnic, but sometimes you want something a little more…extra. Enter the chocolate-covered strawberry brownie, recipe courtesy of Delish. This sweet treat is definitely as rich and as satisfying as its name implies.

All you’ll need are fresh strawberries, chocolate chips, double cream and brownie mix for this indulgent recipe. Serve these brownies cold for the ultimate summer refresher.

Now get on out there and have a picnic to remember! And don’t forget to pack sunblock and hand sanitizer, while you’re at it.

Until next time…