Eating out

If the best thing about summer isn’t road trips, stone fruit, or days at the beach, then it has got to be the food. Packing a picnic need not bring back tortuous memories of scotch eggs going warm in the sun, couscous salad going all over your lap, or soggy sandwiches.

Whether it’s an outdoor music concert, or a day trip to the beach, or an afternoon at the park with some beers, here are some picnic tips.

Snacks are ideal for grazing on all afternoon. Making dips at home is cheap, easy, and very impressive. Try pea and mint: put frozen peas, fresh mint, salt and pepper, and lemon zest in the food processor, then stir through some natural yoghurt with a bit of feta. Perfect for pita crisps, crackers, or chopped up veggies. A couple of cheeses, a few olives, and a ripe avocado all go well on a makeshift platter. Don’t forget to take knives and napkins.

Bacon and egg pie is a delicious classic; eat cold with relish and hot-sauce. It’s hard to go past a fresh baguette too. Add whatever tickles your fancy to fi ll it with – salad greens, a good cheese or, my current favourite, thinly sliced rare beef with wasabi mayonnaise.

A roast veggie salad, and a sweet treat, grapes, chocolate, or something baked and not too crumbly, will round off the afternoon of picnic feasting.