With the onset of spring, it’s time to swap al desco lunches with grabbing a bite in the sun. Find a sunny, grassy spot in your garden – or your balcony will do – then spread out a blanket, toss on some pillows and get out your picnic.
Here are our essentials:
All things fresh
On a platter or wooden board, place the best of this season’s fresh produce – pineapple, papaya and coconut. Also pop on beautiful red strawberries, grapes on the vine and icy, sliced watermelon. To take it up a notch, pop sliced fruit onto skewers the night before and leave them to freeze overnight. At your picnic, serve the skewers chilled with a honeyed yoghurt dip. If it’s not fruit you’re after, nibble on these crunchy cucumber and cream cheese ‘sandwiches‘.
Chilled beverages
Fill a glass decanter with iced tea or prepare a fruity smoothie. Give this refreshing lemongrass ginger beer or mango and naartjie-infused Mother-in-law’s punch a sip.
Loaves
Spring rolls, flatbreads, pastry rolls, pitas, cheesy pull-apart loaves and pizza-style garlic bread serve as the perfect moreish on-the-go bite. Think chicken spring rolls and savoury sausage phyllo pastry for a salty sampler, as well as chocolate-and-hazelnut rolls and Peppermint Crisp caramel pastry rolls for a sweet treat.
Spreads, pâtés, cheeses and preserves
Now’s the time for boerenkaas, pâté, preserved figs, hummus, roasted onion and herb dips, an olive medley, chargrilled artichokes, olive tapenade, basil pesto, fruity pineapple relish, melon and parma ham.
Sweets
Never forget dessert! Chocolate truffles, cheesecake pops, strawberry and cream tartlets, fruit cigars, millionaires’ shortbread and mini banana cream or apple pies will all come in handy here.
Main course
Last but definitely not least – the main event! There’s nothing like a classic Caprese or BLT, perfectly wrapped burritos and tortillas, Scotch eggs, savoury tartlets or even a crispy roast beef salad to have you making the most of sunny afternoons.
