Picnic Take Aways

Are you planning a day out with friends or family? A successful picnic only needs three things: beautiful weather, a green location that is easy to reach, and suitable provisions for taking along. Then you can really enjoy the good company, wonderful scenery and the lovely things you have brought to eat.

Delicious provisions for an outdoor picnic

With good preparation,a picnic becomes a successful day out.  It's best to go shopping a day or two in advance, then all you need to do on the morning is to pack everything up. Rice, pasta or  salads can be prepared the day before, as can cakes. Let your children get involved in the preparations. Little ones enjoy chopping things and packing them up.

It all comes down to the packaging

So that the goodies survive the journey intact, pack the food in plastic boxes with tight-fitting lids. These don't weigh very much and nothing can leak out or be crushed. In addition, a cool-bag with frozen cooling packs will protect the food from the heat and from spoiling. If you don't have a cool-bag to hand, it is best to limit yourself to food that doesn't go off as quickly. This could include, for instance, simple sandwiches and firm varieties of fruit and vegetables.

It's important to take drinks along as well of course: pour hot drinks such as coffee and tea into Thermos flasks. Other drinks, such as iced teas and fruit juices pritzers, should be transported in special drinks bottles, Thermos flasks, or empty plastic bottles with secure lids. Consider taking non-breakable cutlery and crockery, as well as napkins, to ensure it's easy to eat at the picnic spot.

 

Good foods to take include:

 

• Sandwiches, hard-boiled eggs and finger food such as fruit skewers, Fruit and vegetables that don't bruise easily, e.g. apples, melon, cucumber, carrots, peppers. Chop everything up into snack-size pieces at home.
   
• Nuts and mixed dried fruit,dry cakes.
   
• Vegetable, pasta or rice salads. It is important to always put the salads in a cool-bag, especially if they have been made using mayonnaise. If you prefer green salads, take the dressing along in a non-breakable container with a lid that screws tightly shut. Dress the salad just before eating.

Here are some recipe ideas for colourful salads and sandwiches

Ingredients       Tomatoes 2 (150g),chopped   Kabuli Chana, boiled 1 cup (125g)   Spring Onion 2 (50g), chopped   Mozzarella cheese, diced into ¼" cubes ½ cup (50g)   Black olives, sliced into rounds ½ cup (50g)   Lettuce 4-5 leaves (30g), shredded   Pepper powder 1 tsp   Oregano 1 tsp   Flax seeds, roasted 2 tbsp (10g)   For Dressing.   Garlic 2 cloves, minced   Onion ½ (25g) minced   Sugar, powdered 1 tsp   Balsamic vinegar ½ cup   Mustard powder 1 tsp   Oregano ½ tsp   Pepper powder ½ tsp   Olive oil 1/3 cup(50g)

Method     1. Combine all the ingredients for salad. Place in a serving bowl, cover with cling film and keep chilled.   2. For dressing - Combine all the ingredients except the olive oil in a blender and blend for 30 seconds. Continue to blend, pouring olive oil slowly until the dressing is thick and creamy. Chill in a container until serving time.   3. At the time of serving, pour the dressing over the salad ingredients. Mix well and serve immediately.

HOT & SOUR PASTA SALAD

Preparation Time :15 Mins Cooking Time :25 Mins Serves : 8

Ingredients       Pasta – Penne 2 cups (100g)   Cucumber 1 (100g)   Capsicum 1 (100g) chopped into 1” long   Carrots 2 (100g), thin strips   MAGGI HOT AND SWEET TOMATO Chilli sauce 1/3 cup (50g)   Oil 1 tsp   Garlic 4 cloves, finely chopped   Vinegar ¼ cup   Salt To taste

Method     1. Cook pasta in excess water and 1 tsp. salt for 10 mins. Drain and run cold tap water through it. Sprinkle 1 tsp. oil on pasta, mix well and keep aside.   2. Prepare dressing by blending together MAGGI HOT & SWEET TOMATO Chilli Sauce, garlic, vinegar and salt.   3. Combine the cooked pasta, chopped vegetables and the prepared dressing and mix well.   4. Chill and serve.   Tip: The dressing should be mixed at least half an hour before serving so that the pasta absorbs the flavour and spicing