Planning The Perfect Picnic
It is turning into a glorious summer with sunshine that is – almost – guaranteed, so as today marks the start of National Picnic Week we have put some thought into planning our next picnic to ensure we not only enjoy the sunshine but the food too. M&S and Waitrose are great for picking up finger-ready food but there is nothing quite like planning our own menu that everyone can enjoy.
You can theme the menu around a colour or a flower or keep it traditional with cucumber sandwiches, home-made sausage rolls and lashings of ginger beer.
If you are driving to the picnic spot, you can also take various trapping that will make it look fantastic and have you lazing more comfortably too. Rugs, throws and scatter cushions will ensure that you are seated comfortable while draping lengths of muslin, bunting or paper lantern look fabulous if you are picnicking under a tree. If you intend to stay ’til the sun starts to set, take candles in lanterns that will offer a soft light. Try putting fresh flowers inside the lanterns around the base of the candle to make cool centre pieces.
We like to have some kind of game for those who get bored just sitting around. Badminton sets are light and easy to carry as are boules and some croquet sets. This gives people a focus while digesting the food. A wireless speaker means that you can also preset a playlist to enjoy.
We’d all like to bring our food along in traditional wicker baskets and colourful melamine tiffin boxes but even if it is in plastic storage containers carried in canvas shoppers, as long as the food is tasty, it doesn’t matter. Melamine tableware is not only more environmentally friendly but also comes in some fabulous designer colours and patterns now to really make a statement. Emma Bridgewater does some of her fabulous designs in melamine now and Navigate’s candy range. Include some serving bowls, such as the Emsa bowls with lids, and platters as well as a plastic cake stand with domed lid for dramatic affect when presenting the food. Mason jars are very popular right not so why not pre-prepare individual cocktails in some with the lids on to keep them watertight and cool. Load up a cool bag and then bring a plastic bottle full of the mix for top-ups.
We also recommend a bottle of the delicious new Belvoir fruity beauties for summer sipping. They contain absolutely no preservatives, flavourings, artificial colours or artificial sweeteners. The limited edition Sparkling Strawberry, Lime & Mint is so refreshing and tasty to drink on its own but also makes a super-quick Strawberry Mojito. Ready-to-drink, there’s no mixing syrup or muddling mint leaves required.
When it comes to wine, packing a flatpack bottle such as the Letterbox Wine range from Garcon Wines is just perfect if you’re tight on space as the lightweight and compact design saves space and weight in your hamper, and being shatterproof they’re much safer than traditional glass wine bottles. We’ve also heard of people repurposing the bottles as a nifty cricket bat after use. Not us, never us, of course!
If you prefer a more traditional bottle for your tipple meet the Vara Rosé from M&S (£42 for a case of six). Fruity, zesty and with flavours of strawberry and cranberry this refreshingly light and zingy Romanian rosé is delighfully crisp and refreshing. Beautifully enjoyed with seafood or colourful salads. Or if you’re after a Provence pink drink the unrivalled Chateau Minuty 281 Cotes de Provence Rosé is available from £52.90 and can’t be beaten on taste. Having has one saved for a special occasion that was enjoyed last weekend we can say without doubt this is the finest rosé you’ll find this summer.
For food you are really only limited by your own tastes. For a classical picnic take a watercress and orange salad, poached salmon, asparagus in hollandaise sauce and crusty French bread. However Asian-fusion food can offer a light and zingy alternative. Why not serve a Thai beef salad, Vietnamese spring rolls with a sweet chilli jam, cold peanut noodles and chicken satay? Italian cuisine suits picnics from antipasti boards and appetisers such as bocconcini and sun-dried tomato wrapped in a basil leaf to a Mediterranean style layered picnic loaf and crumbed veal. For dessert we love Eton Mess in a large bowl served into individual plastic dessert cups with a pile of fresh berries on the side in case anyone wants extra.
In true Belle style we have left the best for last – and for any lazy lunchers who really can’t bear the preparation time, or if you’re picnicking on a whim – the Aperol Pique-Nique – priced at £50 for two people – comes with a range of Italian light bites, and an Aperol Spritz Kit, for an authentic Aperitivo experience.
The Aperol Pique-Nique is available nationwide and can also be collected from picnic hot spots at London parks including Battersea Park, Hyde Park and Regent’s Park.
PIQUE’s hampers are hand-made and hand-curated, they are beautifully presented and deliciously irresistible and this limited-edition, carefully crafted menu features Italian-inspired Aperitivo staples to share including saffron arancini with a herb aioli dip, fresh salads, a twist on the classic sausage roll with nduja sausage roll bites, and a citrusy dolce of lemon polenta cake to finish. A vegetarian option is available. To order, click here.
