The best thing about picnics is creating the perfect menu of sweet and savoury snacks. From salads and sandwiches to frittatas, quiches, cakes and loaves, we have the perfect recipe to suit every hamper. Pick your date, pack your blanket and get cooking for your next summer picnic.
"This fun and impressive-looking sandwich is perfect for a picnic, as you make it and wrap it up ready to go the day before." – Lucy Nunes. You'll need to start this recipe a day ahead. Muffuletta.Credit: Chris Court
This delicious savoury loaf makes the perfect snack to slice up in the afternoon or to add to your lunch menu. The transportable nature of this broccoli and cheddar loaf makes it ideal for picnics with a luxuriously creamy parsley butter to slather on top. Serving the perfect balance of cheesy, zingy flavours with fresh and bright notes, this moreish bread loaf is set to be your new favourite. Recipe note: You’ll need a 23cm x 14cm x 9cm-deep loaf pan.
It wouldn't be a picnic without classic finger sandwiches, and this easy recipe proves just how simple it is to create this lunch staple. The key to making a good finger sandwich is using thick slices of fluffy and spongy white bread which will hold its shape when the fillings are added. In this chicken and walnut sandwich recipe, a tangy lemon mayonnaise is lathered on both sides of the bread, offering a creamy base for the herby mustard chicken filling. Vibrant, fresh, and comforting, this elegant chicken sandwich is an absolute must for your next picnic.
"Garlicky mushrooms with silky egg and cheese enclosed in buttery flaky pastry is hard to say no to. Using store-bought pastry, this takes no time to whip up." – Lucy Nunes
Sometimes you just can't beat a pasta salad, and this super-easy pesto spaghetti is hard to beat. Perfect for packing into your picnic hamper, this simple lunch recipe is ideal to make on the weekend or even as a quick weeknight dinner option. Featuring a homemade pesto recipe, this delicious pesto pasta recipe is a winner.
Grapes are at their peak right now, look for firm, bright fruit for a sweet juicy snack.
There's nothing more delightful than the sweet, juicy flavours of watermelon and berries in summer. This easy punch recipe is perfect for sipping on weekends or to take to your lunchtime picnic, with zesty notes of lemon thyme, ginger and lemon juice making this a refreshing tonic from the heat. Serve with soda water or prosecco for a touch of celebration. Recipe note: Begin this recipe a day ahead.
"Msakhan is among the most well-known recipes from Palestinian cuisine. It is traditionally made with taboon bread covered in olive oil, caramelised onions and sumac-seasoned bone-in chicken, baked until cooked through. My mom’s is made with shredded boiled chicken wrapped in saj/marqouq bread, then baked. My version uses pita bread filled with ground chicken, pan-fried on both sides until golden and crispy. Depending on the sourness of your sumac, adjust the quantity to your liking." - Hisham Assaad This recipe is an edited extract from Taboon: Sweet & Savoury Delights from the Lebanese Bakery by Hisham Assaad, published by Smith Street Books, AUD$55.00, available now.
Mini quiches Lorraine are the perfect blend of nostalgic comfort and elegance, making them an ideal choice for any occasion. Whether you're entertaining, contributing to a bake sale or simply looking for a tasty snack for the kids, mini quiches Lorraine are the perfect crowd-pleaser for all ages.
Who said cakes can't be healthy? Well, this delicious zucchini and walnut cake is pretty close to it, which just gives us more reason eat it. A good helping of grated zucchini ensures this cake retains its soft, spongey moisture while coconut sugar, mixed spice and maple syrup make a delicious blend of earthy and sweet flavours. Scatter a handful of chopped walnuts into the mix and generously lather some velvety cream cheese frosting for the perfectly balanced afternoon tea cake.
This is an edited extract from Beatrix Bakes: Another Slice by Natalie Paull (Hardie Grant Books, RRP $50. Available in stores nationally).
Looking for something quick and easy to whip up before guests arrive? This easy tarte tatin is the perfect thing. Use that frozen puff pastry at the back of your freezer and the onions you have lying around to make this delicious French savoury snack. Ready in just a few steps, this onion tart is sure to become your next staple.
"Cheesy scones are always a good idea, and perfect for fuss-free outdoor eating. These are laden with grated zucchini, which not only adds beautiful flavour and moisture, but also makes the eater feel exceptionally virtuous. Win-win! Serve with a dollop of creme fraiche and a slice of smoked trout, or simply smother in butter.” – Tilly Pamment
"Quiche is one of my favourite bakes, accommodating a wide range of ingredients to create a satisfying meal for breakfast, lunch or dinner. Its versatility makes it a great dish for using up seasonal produce, leftovers and pantry staples, and it can be made in advance for a picnic or afternoon gathering." - Michael James Recipe note: You’ll need a 26.5cm (base), 3.5cm-high loose-based fluted tart pan.
This is an edited extract from Every Night of the Week by Lucy Tweed. Photography by Lucy Tweed. (Murdoch Books, $35).
"A classic lemon tart is one of the greatest desserts of all time; this is a seasonal variation using oranges. If available, choose blood oranges, which I always look forward to every year - they give the tart a beautiful perfume and colour." - James Cole Bowen. This recipe is by James Cole Bowen
