Bring back the picnic

 

Out to Lunch


"I FELL ASLEEP halfway through lunch the other day.  It's not something I'm proud of, but at least I was lying down at the time.  The sun was warm, the picnic blanket was soft, the wine was working its magic and suddenly I was zzzzzzzzz."

Picnicking should be greatly encouraged - it's good for us.  It gets us out in the fresh air, breaks our routine and brings us back to basics.  Picnicking means drifting off to the cry of children on the swings or in the surf.  In its own way, it is practicing mindfulness, being in the moment while letting your mind drift like a cloud.

Really a picnic can be anything you want it to be.  Chicken sandwiches and a bottle of bubbly;  cheese and crackers with hummus; a baguette with jambon and fromage and a bag of cherries.  

Words by Terry Durack  Summarised from GoodWeekend 

ALFRESCO / PICNIC IDEAS FOR THE HOLIDAYS

Great finger food

Caprese skewers are a novel way to present this simple salad and great for healthy finger food. 
The ingredients remain traditional ie fresh mozzarella, cherry tomatoes, and fresh basil. 

For the dressing, whisk 2 tbsp red wine vinegar, 1 tsp sugar or honey, 3 tbsp olive oil in a large bowl until combined. Add 8 cherry or grape tomatoes, 1 red onion, thinly sliced, 1 cup baby bocconcini and gently toss. Season with sea salt and freshly ground pepper and thread on skewers. For the dressing, whisk 2 tbsp red wine vinegar, 1 tsp sugar or honey, 3 tbsp olive oil in a large bowl until combined. Add 8 cherry or grape tomatoes, 1 red onion, thinly sliced, 1 cup baby bocconcini and gently toss. Season with sea salt and freshly ground pepper and thread on skewers. 

P 90 ALFRESHCO: foreshore flavour

Butterflied prawns a sizzling ALFRESCO success

This is a fantastic way to serve prawns as they look elegant and are easy to eat whereas many other methods of peeling and eating unshelled prawns cooked on the BBQ can be tricky.

Butterflied  prawns

Serves 4

20-24 medium to large whole green prawns.  To prepare, remove heads with a small knife. Trim legs with kitchen scissors. With a small, sharp knife, remove heads, trim legs and  split in half lengthways not quite all the way through. Remove intestinal tract. Lay prawn on a flat surface, shell side up. Using your fingers, press prawn flat.

Sauce - In a small saucepan, cook 1/4 cup white sugar, 1/3 cup white vinegar, until syrupy - add 1 red chilli, seeded and sliced finely, and cook for 2 minutes. Remove from heat and add 1 tsp fish sauce and 1/4 cup lime juice.

Preheat barbecue flat plate to high and cook prawns flesh side down for 2 mins turn and cook for 1 min. Place onto a platter and drizzle with sauce.  

Wraps are ideal for Alfresco dining

Autumn and Spring are my favourite times of the year - the best times to enjoy the outdoors with the slight coolness in the air and the sun on your back.  

Wraps are a convenient way to satisfy those healthy appetite and they appeal to everyone.  Of course you can put them together at home and transport to the site but some prefer the extra freshness when they are rolled on site.

Here are some suggestions:
Supply the mustard, relish, and pickles.
Cream cheese, thinly sliced red onion and smoked salmon;
Dijon mustard spread first, then layer with thinly sliced pear, chopped walnuts, crumbled blue cheese or sliced brie;
Sliced smoked turkey or ham and Swiss cheese pair nicely with Dijon mustard too;
Guacamole or sliced avocado, cheese slices, thinly sliced red onion, thin slices of canned, drained jalapeno.

chicken wrap with rocket and parsley aioli

4 Greek Yiros Wraps, 225g roasted chicken breast, shredded (about 2 small chicken breasts); a good handful, baby rocket leaves,
For the Parsley Aioli    Combine in a food processor - ; 50g fresh flat-leaf parsley, 1 anchovy fillet, 2 tsp chopped fresh chives, 1 small garlic clove, chopped coarsely, 120ml natural yoghurt, 1 tsp white wine vinegar, 1 tsp lemon zest, Salt and freshly ground black pepper

Add the shredded chicken to the aioli and mix well.  Transport to the picnic in a plastic container. At the picnic spread with the chicken mixture, leaving a 1.25cm border.  Sprinkle with rocket and carefully roll up the tortillas, Swiss roll fashion, tucking in the ends.  Cut each rolled sandwich in half, diagonally.  

It would be great to receive your feedback or suggestions. Click on "0 comments". You can choose 'anonymous' from the drop down menu if you don't have a google account. Or send an email - clara@babyboomerconnections.com.au