12 July 2024 - Written by Tilda Kitchen
Everything you need to to prepare, pack and host the perfect picnic.
The temperatures are rising and the days are getting longer, which can only mean one thing – picnic season has officially begun! In this guide, you’ll find everything you need to prepare, pack and host the perfect picnic.
A picnic involves enjoying pre-prepared food outside, typically on a rug or blanket. Whether your ideal picnic spot is a sandy beach, an idyllic park or a shaded forest, read on to discover everything you need to prepare, pack and host the ultimate picnic.
The term “picnic” comes from the French term “pique-nique,” which emerged in the 17th century. It originally referred to a social gathering where each guest brought a share of the food for the meal ahead.
The perfect picnic is all in the preparation, so take some time to think everything through. Firstly, what type of picnic are you planning? A romantic picnic for two will require different prep than a family gathering, so, make a list of everything you need. Avoid stress on the day by preparing as much of the food as you can in advance. That way, you’re only adding finishing touches like salad dressings and seasonings once you arrive at your chosen picnic spot.
Picnic basket or cool box, which should you choose? It’s entirely up to you and totally depends on the vibe. If you’re going for old school picnic charm and don’t have far to travel, a wicker basket certainly fits the bill. But if there’s a lot of you and it’s set to be a scorcher, you’re better off using a cool bag packed with ice blocks to keep the food fresh for longer.
Screenshot this list so you don’t forget anything!
Everyone loves a picnic, but if you want to take things to the next level, here are a few suggestions, including some mouthwatering, no-fuss showstopper recipes to wow your guests.
You could lay out a spread of shop-bought pork pies, dips, sandwiches and salads for your guests or you could really raise your picnic game by making your own tasty homemade masterpieces!
How do you like your eggs in the morning? We love ours in this delicious Leftover Omelette Bake, a great recipe with cheese, tomatoes or any leftover meats or vegetables you have in your fridge. Prefer something sweet? You can’t go wrong with pancakes!
Delicious and versatile, Italian Rice Salad never fails to impress, or bring some ‘Aloha’ to your picnic with this Hawaiian inspired, flavour-packed Salmon Poke Bowl recipe. If you’re catering for vegetarians, Middle Eastern Falafel Pitta is a unique sandwich alternative. Bursting with zesty summer flavours, it will keep them going for the rest of the day. Easy to make, hold and transport, wraps also make great picnic fare.
This Chicken Mediterranean Wrap screams summer with tomato, basil, olive and feta. And for the kids, bring along these colourful Egg Rainbow Veggie Rolls with Tahini Dipping Sauce. If your guests love sushi, they’ll love these Prawn Californian Rolls – just make sure you pop them carefully in a sealed container so they don’t get squashed. Let’s face it, it’s not a picnic without dessert and who doesn’t love a homemade brownie? These Chocolate Bean Brownies with pecan nuts and rice flour are devilishly delicious, and they’re gluten-free too!
If you’re spending all day outside, you definitely need some snacks to enjoy before or after your main picnic food! Try our delicious Easy Falafel Served With Tomato & Red Onion Salad – straight from the Tilda kitchen! Crisps always go down a treat at a picnic, as well as a variety of fruit such as apples, bananas, strawberries and watermelon. Where possibly, we would recommend cutting up the fruit for easy snacking!
You can’t beat a refreshing drink while picnicking in the sunshine. And if you really want to elevate your picnic, here’s some thirst-quenching alternatives to water or bubbly. Strawberry lemonade is a sweet and juicy summer drink and you only need five ingredients: sugar, strawberries, lemon juice, ice and water. Why not give our zesty Beetroot, Apple, Blueberry and Ginger Smoothie a try for the perfect picnic pick-me-up. Or create a refreshing milkshake with Tilda’s Rice MLK, a great alternative to milk; simply whizz up with your favourite fruits, easy!
Picnic Recipes
Pure Steamed Basmati Rice
Italian Rice Salad
Imagine yourself on a veranda in Tuscany, eating al fresco, surrounded by good food and good friends. This Italian-inspired salad is perfect to be shared.
Sticky Medium Grain Rice
Salmon Poke Bowl
Originating from Hawaii, a poke bowl is a rice dish with diced raw fish served either as an appetizer or a main course, ‘poke’ meaning ‘to slice into pieces’ in Hawaiian. In recent years, it became very successful around the world due to its versatility. You can pick & mix whatever ingredients you like and place on top of Tilda sticky rice.
Lemon and Herbs Basmati Rice
Middle Eastern Falafel Pitta
Common street food in the Middle East, this tasty recipe is so easy to make! A simple dish bursting with flavours that will keep you going for the rest of the day. Feel free to add some chicken for a non-veggie option.
Chocolate Bean Brownies
Delicious chocolate bean brownies with pecan nuts and rice flour (yes, that means it’s gluten free too!)
Tomato and Basil Basmati Rice
Chicken Mediterranean Wrap
All the yummy Mediterranean flavours – tomato, basil, olive, feta – wrapped in a tortilla for a simple, easy and filling lunch. Feel free to complete with any leftover vegetables or chicken.
Prawn Californian Rolls
California rolls are a type of sushi with rice on the outside and seaweed inside, often topped with sesame seeds or roe. This delicious recipe uses fresh ingredients and Tilda Sticky Rice.
Kids Sunshine Vegetable Rice
Kids egg rainbow veggie rolls with tahini dipping sauce
A healthy and vibrant meal, have fun with this dish from start to finish!
Cooks In
White and Brown Basmati Rice Blend
Beetroot, Apple, Blueberry & Ginger Smoothie
Try our delicious Beetroot, Apple, Blueberry & Ginger Smoothie recipe, straight from the Tilda Kitchen.