We are very nearly into the last month of spring, but the warmer temperatures are already giving us a taste of the summer to come, and what better way to celebrate the arrival of our favourite season here at N1, than with a little al fresco dining. For many of us, very little beats the excitement of packing a picnic basket, heading out to find the perfect spot and then spending a blissful few hours lolling around on our picnic blanket sipping chilled wine and delighting in picnic fare. And delightful it should be, even the seemingly mundane can be transformed into a delicious culinary experience. Two such staples are the picnic salad and the picnic sandwich – forget wilted and soggy, with a little thought and advance prep-work these can be the pièce de résistance of your picnic menu.

Salad in a Jar

All the rage on Pinterest at the moment – a  search for ‘Mason Jar Salads’ will bring up an abundance of salad recipes – the key is finding the perfect glass jar, preferably large with a wide mouth and tightly fitting lid, and then simply layering all your ingredients. Whatever salad you might be in the mood for, follow these basic rules to ensure your salad is crisp and tasty when the time comes.

Layer 1 is salad dressing – 1 to 4 tablespoons, depending on personal preference.
Layer 2 is any hard vegetables such as chopped carrots, peppers or cucumber.
Layer 3 is pasta and grains such as cooked rice, noodles or chickpeas.
Layer 4 is nuts and seeds such as quinoa, almonds or sunflower seeds.
Layer 5 is salad greens – tear into bite-size pieces and pack compactly.

Layered like this, your salad can keep in the fridge for up to five days. When you’re ready to eat, simply unscrew the lid and shake the salad into a serving bowl.

Stuffed Picnic Loaf

This twist on the traditional sandwich dates back to the early 20th century when Sicilian farmers needed a fuss-free way to eat their lunch. The ingredients are simple, a round loaf of bread and your favourite fillings. For the meat-lovers amongst us this will definitely include cold cuts, and N1 Restaurant Suppliers offer a delicious variety of both Halaal and non-Halaal cold meats ranging from salami and Parma ham to smoked chicken breasts and spiced beef.

To prepare:

• Slice off the top of the bread – keep to use as a lid for later.
• Spoon out most of the centre of the loaf – keep a 2cm thick bread shell.
• Brush the inside of the loaf with high-quality olive oil.
• Begin layering your picnic loaf with your favourite fillings such as cold meats, roasted vegetables, and cheese.
• Season as you go and make sure all layers are packed tightly – finish with a layer of meat.
• Brush the inside of your loaf lid and replace.
• Wrap the bread tightly in cling-film, place a weight on top and refrigerate overnight.

When the time comes, simply unwrap your picnic loaf, cut into wedges and serve.

Wherever your meanderings may take you, be sure to have fun and enjoy your summer picnic the N1 way.