Healthy Picnic Recipes

Picnics are a very fun occasion, and if you should have the opportunity to go outside and enjoy great weather then here are a few ideas on what healthy things you can take with you. There are some savoury and some sweet recipes and ideas for you to try.

A picnic is a great way to celebrate your culture and healthy seasonal products. Here are a few ideas:

♥ Picnic Sandwiches

Sandwiches are usually the staple of a picnic so have a go at making something new. Try some wholemeal or brown bread with fillings like: smoked salmon, cucumber and cream cheese; smoked mackerel and salad; goats cheese and sun dried tomato.

♥ Flan or Quiche

Try making a great quiche, that can be eaten cold on the day of the picnic, and baked the night before. A quiche is quite simple to make. You can make your own quiche crust or you can buy a pack of ready made pastry. Once you have got your crust into your flan dish, simply put in your pre-cooked ingredients which must include cheese. Then add over the top, 3eggs and 2 cups of milk mixed together with a little cracked black pepper. 

♥ Mixed Vegetable Salad

Salads can be the most tasty thing that you eat on your picnic. The fresh taste is unbeatable on a hot day. However, it is important to steer away from the usual lettuce, tomatoes and cucumber; because well lets face that it is very boring and bland. If you don't feel like stepping too far away, try adding some sliced olives, or strips of smoked mackerel. For some more ideas please visit the healthy salad recipes page.

♥ Delicious Drinks

Making sure you have packed tasty food has no point if you haven't got a great drink to go with it for your picnic. The type of drink you will take will depend entirely on your tastebuds, but here are a few ideas. Try making some fresh, real lemonade with the following recipe:

Cube 3 unwaxed lemons (with the rind) and place in a food processor, add enough cold water to almost cover them and 30g sugar. Process to a pulp, then strain. Return whats left in the sieve to the processor and this time add more water and 30g more sugar and process. Continue to do this process until you are satisfied with the results. You can use sparkling water instead of still if you prefer and add more or less sugar, depending on your taste.

Or you can try the classic tea in a thermos, or take a homemade smoothie. There are plenty of healthy smoothie recipes on this website, so at least one should tickle your tastebuds.

♥ Tasty Nibbles

Nibbles are an important part of your outdoors feast, so do not miss them out. Try not to go for the standard crisps and salted nuts. Not only are these not very good for you but they have very little taste in as well. Try some vegetable batons with flavoured houmous, or if you prefer some vegetable crisps (carrot, parsnip, etc). How about a packet of unsalted dried fruit and nut mix? A very popular idea is to make a few spicy shrimp cakes, here is its following recipe:

Lightly whisk 50g plain flour and 2 medium eggs. Add 5 tbsp water, stir to a smooth batter and add 1 bunch finely chopped salad onions, 2 tbsp finely chopped flat leaf parsley, 225g small prawns (shelled) and 1 tsp paprika. Season and leave to rest for 30 minutes. Heat 2 tbsp olive oil in a heavy-based pan over a medium heat. Spoon 1 tbsp of the mixture and flatten slightly;cook for about 2 mins on each side, until golden. Great to eat with fresh lemonade, recipe as above.

♥ Fruity and Family Desserts

Finding an appropriate healthy picnic dessert can prove quite tricky, but here are some thoughts. Find your favourite cake recipe and substitute half the flour for a wholemeal flour. Also try adding low fat butter and creams. These may need a different time in the oven so watch carefully.

Try not to take anything gloopy or runny as this has more potential of slipping everywhere. Instead go for marscapone or creme fraiche to add with your dessert. Fresh fruit is always welcome dessert also, and a fresh fruit salad can be beautifully refreshing to finish off the meal. Make sure to add lemon to your fresh fruit salad to stop it from browning.

Why not take some delicious pumpkin brownies, or homemade vegetarian quiche?

If you have any great picnic ideas please contact us with your recipe.