THE PERFECT LATE SUMMER'S PICNIC

Winters are just around the corner and those long hot summer days are now getting shorter, cooler, breezier and perfect for a day outdoors.  Why not utilise this opportunity to spend a nice, calm and laid back Saturday with the ones you love at a beach, lake or even at your local Park? The kids will love it and it’s a nice way to escape from the hustling and bustling city life. Here are some ideas and recipes to help you plan a perfect Saturday with your family and friends.

What to take?

The most difficult part of planning a picnic is to remember the items you need to take with you. It is always handy to maintain a standard picnic check list to help you pack all the things you require and adding new things in the list as you start remembering. Some common things everyone should have on their list include the following:

·         The most important item for any picnic is a first aid box. If you have kids there are great chances of you requiring this.

·         A nice and soft water blanket for everyone to sit on. It is always better to have a water proof blanket as the ground may often be wet and water proof blankets will provide you with a dry place to sit.

·         A reasonable sized tent is always a good thing to keep and is quite useful for picnics if you have kids. After all that playing and running kids require a bit of nap and the tent offers a nice and comfortable mosquito free environment for your kids to sleep in.

·         Don’t forget to plan out some activities for yourself and the kids. Take two or three kinds of sports e.g. badminton, cricket, baseball etc. A ball for the kids is a must as it keeps the kids engaged. Board games and cards are also great activities when everyone is tired and wants to sit and have fun. If you are going to the beach don’t forget buckets and spades for the kids to build sand castles. Books are also a good way of enjoying a peaceful day outdoors.

·         For parents with kids it is always good to be proactive and keep an extra set of clothes just in case they get really dirty.

·         Napkins and paper towels are always a must for all the spills and messes.

·         A picnic basket is a great way to keep all the utensils, disposable cutlery & crockery as well as the foods and sauces in one place. A cooler is also a must have to keep all the drinks cool and store all the perishables.

·         Take plenty of drinks. Since it can still get really hot on some days it is good to keep plenty of drinks to keep everyone hydrated throughout the day. 

Food Ideas:

Here are a few food recipes I have selected for you so that you can enjoy the perfect late-summer picnic. Hope you like them.

Chicken schnitzel and tomato salsa sandwich: 

Sandwiches are a great option for a picnic. They are easy to make and can be eaten on the go. The chicken schnitzel and tomatoes salsa sandwich is a perfect selection for summer picnics. The sandwiches take only fifteen minutes to make and they are light, fresh and scrumptious making them perfect to consume in warm weather. The sandwiches are nutritionally rich as they contain a balance of carbohydrates, proteins as well as vitamins and minerals. To view the recipe click here.

Mango and chilli chopped salad:

Salads are a fulfilling and healthy option for picnics. They are an intelligent way to fill up your stomach without consuming too many calories and a plus point is their delicious taste. The mango and chilli chopped salad is a sweet, sour and fresh salad with a hint of spice. The mangoes are rich in vitamin C and their sweetness combined with the sour dressing works wonders. The salad incorporates summer produces and is a great way to say farewell to summers. There are no hard and fast rules, you can always play around with the recipe and add your favourite summer produce to the salad as well.  Click here to view the recipe.

Summer fruit sticks with Milo swirl yoghurt:

The fruit sticks are a must have for every picnic if you are taking kids along with you. These fruit sticks are delicious, healthy and fun at the same time. The kids will love it and you will be satisfied that your kids are eating healthy. What better way to incorporate fruits, chocolate and cream in a healthy and fun way? Click here to view this exciting and easy to make recipe.

Berry ricotta muffins:

Indulge yourself in the river of sweetness and tang of the berry muffins. This recipe is the perfect dessert for a picnic as it requires no icing or decoration of any sort and can be eaten with great ease.  Click here for the recipe.

 By Mahnum Tariq