Tips for holding a summer picnic and recipe ideas

When we do see a glimmer of sunshine, we always try to make the most of it by packing up some food and drinks in a hamper and heading out of the city. Even if you’re staying closer to home, you can still seek out some great spots in local parks and green areas. Discovering new places is a lot of fun - it’s almost like finding your own secret garden. The children love it when we find a secluded spot to unpack our hamper, as it’s like a little adventure for them. I grew up in a small village outside Kinross, and though I’ve travelled the globe with my job, there’s nowhere quite like Scotland. The west coast is particularly magnificent and we like to visit Applecross and watch the boats coming in while enjoying some great food with the kids. One of my all-time favourite picnics is langoustines with fresh bread and a bottle of reisling, which is incredibly simple yet truly outstanding. The essence of a good picnic is keeping it tasty but simple. The beauty is that almost anything goes in a picnic, as long as it’s portable. Picnics are all about having fun with food - snacks that remind you of childhood, when you can abandon all rules. For me, it’s about food in its most natural form, eaten outdoors among nature; finger food, enjoyed on colourful rugs, as you pass around the bright sharing plates. Salads make ideal picnic fodder and often require very little preparation, letting the fresh, seasonal ingredients speak for themselves. It’s one of the most satisfying summer dishes and so easy to mix up a big bowl of fresh produce in summer’s vibrant colours, and pack it up to take with you on your day out. Salad doesn’t need to be boring either. Forget about old-fashioned salads of limp lettuce and mushy tomatoes. Think bright, bold, seasonal ingredients. Although supermarkets have a huge selection of pre-packaged salads on their shelves, I really would recommend making your own. That way, you know it’s fresh and you can also add your favourite ingredients. Home-made coleslaw and potato salad are really easy to create and you can add as few or as many ingredients or your favourite dressing as you like. There’s no need to be fussy - fresh bread, fresh cooked chicken and fresh seasonal tomatoes are all great additions to your picnic basket salads. Think about what’s in season and be creative. Floral and herb salads are really popular now and are a great way to brighten up your plate in colour and taste. If you really want to prepare for summer you can even try growing some herbs, leaves and edible flowers at home so you can enjoy your picnics, knowing you’ve made everything from scratch. You can also make your own dressing at home, then fill up a small jar or bottle to pack in your hamper and take with you. If you add meat or fish to accompany your salads you can create a really filling meal, easy to graze on and take your time over. Picnics are an ideal way to reward yourself after a long walk, or a weekend bike ride. Equally, they can be prepared and packed up quickly on the day if you are lucky enough to catch sight of the sun. You can keep it as simple or special as you like by adding sweet treats, wine or even champagne if you’re celebrating. Happy picnicking. Tom Kitchin’s perfect picnic tips • Make the preparation part of the fun and get family and friends involved in preparing and packing. • Find a quiet spot to host your picnic so you can relax and take your time grazing on all your delicious home-made food. • Sharing plates are ideal for picnics and mean you can try lots of different things - part of the fun is having some leftovers to take home for later. • Pack plastic rather than paper - colourful china or plastic plates, cups and glasses, stainless steel or plastic cutlery, fabric napkins and cloths and reusable flasks or jars are ideal as they avoid unnecessary waste. • Pack some wet wipes to clean up any mess - especially if you’re planning a picnic with the kids. • Take rubbish bags and always make sure you leave your picnic spot as you found it. Summer recipes Chicken Frumsticks with honey and lime Serves four 4 chicken legs 4 chicken thighs salt and pepper for seasoning 1 tbsp olive oil 100ml honey 1 lime, cut into four 50g whole grain mustard Preheat the oven to 180C/gas mark 4 and place a non-stick frying pan on the hob to heat. Season the chicken with salt and pepper. Add the oil to the frying pan. Once hot, place the chicken in the pan, skin-side down, for four to five minutes to get nice and crispy. Turn the chicken and place the pan in the oven for 12 to 15 minutes, until cooked. Remove from the oven and place the pan back on the hob. Add the honey, and once it starts to bubble, squeeze in the lime and gently coat the chicken. Add the mustard and set aside to cool before packing away for your picnic. Cabbage, carrot and coriander salad Serves four half white cabbage, sliced 3 carrots, sliced into strips 2 spring onions, sliced olive oil half bunch coriander, chopped juice of 1 lime