Foodie Friday- Let's Picnic

I found this "Spring Bucket List" Poster above from howtonestforless.com and just had to include it in my post today- the only problem was it said "Spring Bucket List" and we are just about to go into Autumn! BUT...the wonderful thing about living in Africa is that you don't need to limit all the awesome spring activities to well...Spring! Our weather allows us to be outdoors almost 365 Days a year! So scratch the "Spring" part and use this bucket list for any sunny day. Today's post will help you scratch off the first thing on your bucket list and show you how to create the perfect picnic. This is what I did...read on...

Just Darling's Top Tips for a Perfect Picnic. 

• Don't use paper plates or plastic tupperwares- do it style and put all your picnic food in glass jars
• Think practically! Make easy to eat foods like wraps, finger sandwiches or small salads in jars.
• Although Juice/Punch in a Jug may look appealing- it's a logistical nightmare. Put your homemade punch in glass bottles instead and pretty them up with ribbon and a pretty drink label.
• Drink/Food Labels can be printed onto sticker paper or alternatively use normal printing paper and stick it on with a glue stick.
• Kill two birds with one stone by using an old crate as a way to carry all the goods to your picnic site and then simply turn it over and use it as a make-shift picnic table!
• There is no need for expensive ribbon and decorations for your food- brown paper, string and some doilies will do the trick!

Just Darling's Original Picnic Recipes

Ingredients:

• A small bowl of chopped spring onion 
• A small bowl of diced tomato
• A small bowl of watercress
• About 600g Haloumi 
• 2 Avo's Sliced
• 1 Packet of Woolies Multi-Seed Wraps
• 1 Tub Woolies Trio Dip (Basil Pesto, Sundried Tomato & Feta)

Method:

1) Slice the Haloumi into long thin strips and pan sear for 1 minute on each side.

2) Generously smear some of the Trio Dip onto each wrap- covering the whole surface area.

3) Arrange about 3 long strips of haloumi, some avo slices, some chopped spring onion and

some diced tomato along the centre of the wrap- vertically. Take care not to overfill the wrap as it will be difficult to close

4) Fold the bottom of the wrap over, and then tightly roll one side over to the other to close the wrap.

    Secure with brown paper, a doily and string.

Ingredients:

• 1 Packet of rocket
• 1 packet of mixed sprouts
• About 190g Danish Feta cubed
• About 15 Asparagus Stalks, washed and chopped
• 1 Clove Garlic- chopped
• Olive Oil for Frying
• 1 Punnet of button mushrooms cut into quarters.
• * For a Meatier Version- Add Roast Chicken or Cooked Ham.

Method:

1) Saute the mushrooms and asparagus in the olive oil and the garlic. Season with Salt & Pepper.

2) Combine the rocket, sprouts, danish feta & fried mushroom and asparagus in a bowl.

3) Transfer the mix into individual glass jars.

4) Serve with a light vinaigrette.

Wasn't quite sure what else to name this pudding!

Ingredients:

• 1 Vanilla Sponge Loaf or Madeira Cake
• 1 Packet of Strawberry Jelly made according the the packet instructions
• 1 Punnet Fresh Strawberries Chopped
• A Woolies Cherry, Cranberry & Pomegranate Smoothie-300ml
• 1 Can of whipped cream
• Toasted Almonds or Pecan Nuts

Method: - Read carefully because it's really, really complicated!

1) Layer the glass jar with the sponge cake at the bottom, then the jelly, a bit of the smoothie mix, some strawberries, whipped cream and some nuts to top it off. Repeat the pattern until the jar is full! Told you it was complicated!

So that's that folks! Follow the tips and recipes above and you can't lose! The picture below is proof that a good picnic can change the world. Well- maybe not THE world but it can change YOUR world.

Image Source:
Bike Picture - Tumblr.com
Tree Bunting Picture-  http://images.lover.ly/71_1b1a8275bf362662a.jpg