Our favourite summer picnic recipes Posted on 27 November 2014 Tags:South Africa Picnics are definitely one of the best things about summer: what could be more enjoyable than lying on a colourful blanket under dappled shade, and lazily nibbling on a spread of treats like you’re a Roman emperor? (Bonus points if you can get a friend to wave a fan over you.) We’ve put together a list of all the recipes you could possibly need for the tastiest picnic ever: from dainty salmon pinwheels to peppadew-feta muffins, from old-fashioned lemonade to picnic-proof salads, here’s how to put together your own cornucopia! Also read: 50 of the best picnic spots in South Africa Check out these top 10 tips for a perfect picnic Discover 23 of the best picnic spots in the Cape Winelands The best braai spots in Cape Town and around South Africa Finger food Southern-style crispy chicken drumsticks Watch the eyes of kids and adults alike light up when you bring out these crunchy, juicy drumsticks. Don’t be afraid of the fact that they’re baked: it’s much easier, and you don’t have to sacrifice any of the crispiness for health. (And you could always deep-fry if you really wanted to.) Get the recipe here Mini steak wraps This is a great idea for making steak go a long way, if needed: and the longer you leave it in the lemon-thyme dressing, the tastier it will be. Get the recipe here Feta, peppadew and caramelised onion muffins This is a versatile (and forgiving) everything-but-the-kitchen sink recipe, because you can customise it with whatever tasty snippets you have on hand. Although this combination of sweet, salty and spicy is hard to beat, you could try it with bacon, spinach, or parmesan too. Get the recipe here Mini sausage rolls The ultimate finger food isn’t just for cocktails! These sausage rolls are a great addition to any picnic, and there’s a very nice smug-kitchen-wizard feeling about making them from scratch. Get the recipe here Spicy baked falafel with tzatziki These are crunchy with a spicy bite, and very easy to make: you absolutely have to serve them with the tzatziki, though. You could put them into these mini-wraps as a vegetarian alternative to the steak strips. Get the recipe here Smoked salmon pinwheel sandwiches These dainty salmon pinwheels are a great way to gussy up the standard picnic sandwich, and the combination of horseradish and dill is an absolute winner. Get the recipe here Mini bacon and mushroom frittatas These mini bacon and mushroom frittatas are essentially muffin-sized crustless quiches. They’re a perfect size for a picnic and, like the muffins above, you can add in whatever bits and bobs you have around, like feta, sundried tomatoes, peppadews, peppers and herbs. Get the recipe here Breads and tarts Tomato and fennel bread This is made using store-bought bread dough, so all you have to do is mix in some rosemary, lemon zest and fennel, and other delicious ingredients, and whack it in the oven. Couldn’t be easier! Get the recipe here Artichoke, feta and lemon bread Looks fancy? It’s really not. Like the recipe above, this bread uses store-bought dough, so you can avoid the “letting rise in a warm place” and the “punching down”, and get started with the eating a few hours earlier. Get recipe here Spicy vegetable savoury picnic loaf This loaf is based on a Yotam Ollenghi recipe, and is closer in texture to a crustless quiche than a bread. Delicious! Get the recipe here Marmite tart This is like a gourmet version of a cheese and Marmite sandwich. Marmite is one of those polarising ingredients that you either love or hate, but the less-enthusiastic might be converted by the subtle cheesiness of this tart. Get the recipe here Tomato and basil tart Cut up into slices, this is a very popular nibble at any picnic, and is super quick and easy to make. Get the recipe here Spreads and dips Mushroom pâté Garlic, thyme and creme fraiche combine to make a delicious pâté that tastes like creamy mushroom pasta in a jar. Get the recipe here Potted pork belly A meltingly tender dish of slow-cooked pork belly, shredded, combined with mace, pepper and salt, packed into a pot and sealed with butter. This is the tastiest thing you’ll ever spread on a piece of bread. Get the recipe here Nasturtium and macadamia nut pesto Picking fresh nasturtium leaves and flowers is one of the best things about spring: you don’t have to feel bad because they grow profusely and aren’t native to South Africa. The peppery leaves are toned down in this pesto with buttery macadamia nuts and very little garlic, and it’s a delicious alternative to the tired basil option. Get the recipe here Salads Potato salad Everyone’s got their favourite twist on a potato salad recipe: some folks are passionate about the inclusion of hard-boiled eggs (shudder) while others say that the key is roasting the potatoes, not boiling them. This recipe’s secret weapon is nutty, buttery, roasted garlic, and it’s a life-changing addition. Get the recipe here Watermelon and feta salad This is one of the easiest salad to throw together: but the combination of salt and sweet, creamy and crunchy, is more addictive than the sum of its parts. It’s a perfect picnic recipe because it can take more bashing than a leaf-heavy salad, and can withstand a fair bit more sunshine too. Get the recipe Sunshine salad Red onion gives some bite to the buttery hunks of mango in this simple salad: and doesn’t a sunshine salad sound like the perfect thing for a picnic? Get the recipe here Sweet treats Nectarine and almond tart Nectarines are the sweet, juicy rockstars of summer fruit. Once you’ve overdosed on eating them straight out of the box (with juice on your chin and your feet in the pool), this beautiful tart is a must-try. Roasting the nectarines kicks their flavour to another level, and with the sweet, nutty base, it’s a picnic dessert classic. Get the recipe here Chocolate and coffee muffins The easiest chocolate-coffee muffin recipe ever: and the knowledge that Cadbury milk chocolate is Fairtrade is a great justification for making them as often as possible. Get the recipe here. Red velvet cupcakes This recipe is worth making for the cream-cheese icing alone: when you couple it with an easy recipe for one of the most popular cupcake recipes ever, it’s a double whammy. Get the recipe here. Classic old-school lemonade recipe This is the kicker: old-fashioned lemonade. Sweet, tart, and tasting exactly like summer, you shouldn’t even bother with the whole “picnic” idea if you’re not bringing this with you. Don’t let the kids drink all of it: you could add a sneaky shot of gin for the grown-ups too. Get the recipe here Related Posts 3 Wine estates to visit in KwaZulu Natal 31 May 2023 The Cape may be the wine capital of South Africa, but you can still enjoy... read more 11 alcohol-free drinks for the sober curious 26 May 2023 Ocsober and Dry January are all good and well, but how about a permanent shift... read more Treat yourself to a one-of-a-kind fine dining experience in Franschhoek 20 March 2023 If you love a unique fine dining experience, you'll want to treat yourself to the... read more PREV ARTICLE NEXT ARTICLE
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