A picnic is one of the quintessential British pastimes and there’s no better way to usher in the warmer months. While some of us might have our fair share of childhood memories involving picnics in the rain, outdoor feasts invaded by wasps or failed excursions that mean you end up eating a sweaty Scotch egg in the back of the car on a lay-by, when a picnic comes together successfully it’s a beautiful thing.
While the weather and the company are important, going beyond what the supermarkets have to offer and preparing a few of your own dishes can make all the difference to a picnic. Anyone can unveil plastic boxes of ready-made mini pork pies, questionable quiche and over-processed potato salad. But making them yourself ensures a tastier spread, serious brownie points and a more wholesome picnic experience – after all, The Famous Five never packed a sleeve of cocktail sausages in their basket when they went off on adventures.
Whether you’re after quick and simple salads, gourmet pies or loaves of herby bread to slather with butter, these ten recipes are all picnic-friendly, easy to prepare in advance and very, very tasty.