For Kate Hayman of Hamish’s Farm Shop, the perfect picnic is all about preparing ahead of time…
One of my all-time favourite things is to pack the kids in the car and disappear for a couple of hours, but I absolutely hate the getting ready to go and the madness that invariably follows, especially with 2 boys…. or 3 if you count my husband! However, I like to be organised and pre- planning is always going to make that sunny Sunday afternoon a treat for all!
My top tip is to not take the very pretty wicker basket that has been stuck in a cupboard for years, but to take a more functional cool bag, preferably one that packs flat, and take disposable plates, cutlery and a pack of baby wipes. These are a must: we use them for everything and you can guarantee that the moment you leave the house and the sink, that the kids will get dirty and spill something!
We all love homemade quiche, so why not make one in a square tray the day before, perfect to cut into finger slices and pack on top of each other? Tray bake cakes are great too, just stay away from anything that has oodles of icing or that will become too sticky in the sunshine. Flapjack is always a good crowd-pleaser. Little pots of pre-cut fruit are ideal – even if you have to resort to supermarket ones, they are very easy to eat with the provided forks and the kids love them.
Wraps make a nice change from sandwiches and can be made very quickly – you can also take a bag of salad with you and a pack of ham and make them up on the spot. Sausage rolls are also very popular: the ready rolled puff pastry works really well, and you can make these a day or two in advance. My advice is not to take too much food – remember it has to be carried to the picnic spot, and take food that you would be prepared to eat in the car if the weather changes!