CELEBRATE NATIONAL PICNIC WEEK WITH ALDISS

National Picnic Week is from 11th to 19th June – read on for some advice, tips and a recipe to help with ideas for the spread, and the location.

The perfect picnic spot

Being based in Norfolk we are spoilt with so many perfect places to enjoy a picnic. From stunning sandy beaches at Holme and Holkham, to the cliffs at Sheringham. Or, on a less sunny day, the woods at Thetford or Wells. We also enjoy some beautiful stately homes at Sandringham, Houghton and Blickling that all open their grounds to picnickers.

Got everything you need?

There are some essential items that will make your picnic run smoothly and be a comfortable and enjoyable outdoor meal.

Having a good quality picnic blanket will give you somewhere comfortable to sit and enjoy the outdoors and also keep your bum dry if the grass is wet!

Keeping food and drinks cool on a hot day makes them more enjoyable and also makes them safe to eat so an insulated picnic bag or cool bag are a must have.

For a bit of luxury a purpose designed picnic hamper adds a touch of class to any outdoor dining occasion!

Picnic food

The key to a good picnic spread is making sure that all those attending will enjoy the food you take and also having a nice variety of things that are easy to share. So step away from the bag of crisps and soggy sandwiches and think about packing things like baby tomatoes, carrot and cucumber sticks and dips and a nice couscous salad. Team this with some cheese and crackers, homemade cakes or biscuits and a nice piece of pork pie and you have a quick, easy picnic that everyone should enjoy!

Recipe for couscous salad

Ingredients:

100g couscous

200ml hot low salt vegetable stock (from a cube is fine)

2 spring onions

1 red pepper

½ cucumber

50g feta cheese, cubed

2 tbsp pesto

2 tbsp toasted pine nuts

Method:

Tip couscous into a large bowl, pour over stock. Cover, then leave for 10 mins, until fluffy and all the stock has been absorbed. Meanwhile, slice the onions and pepper and dice the cucumber. Add these to the couscous, fork through pesto, crumble in feta, then sprinkle over pine nuts to serve.

Via bbcgoodfood.com

Wherever you go and whatever you take we hope you get the chance to get out and enjoy some lovely, relaxing picnics this summer.