Picnic

Sandwiches are the foundation of every picnic. Ciabatta with mozzarella, tomatoes and basil, a wholegrain wrap with chicken and avocado or a baguette with ham and herb butter. Wrap them in baking paper and tie with string for stylish serving. Prepare sandwiches in the morning before you leave so they are as fresh and flavourful as possible.

Picnic salads should hold up without refrigeration. Pasta salad with pesto and sun-dried tomatoes, couscous salad with grilled vegetables, bulgur tabbouleh or classic potato salad. Avoid mayonnaise and use olive oil and lemon juice instead. Prepare salads the evening before and pack them in airtight containers in the morning.

Cakes and muffins are picnic classics. Carrot cake, banana bread, blueberry muffins or almond bundt cake, choose bakes that are easy to slice and won't fall apart. Fruit such as strawberries, cherries or grapes are ideal sweet accompaniments. Wrap baked goods in a tea towel or baking paper so they stay fresh and moist throughout the day.

Pour homemade iced tea with peach and mint, cucumber water with lemon or homemade elderflower lemonade into a thermos flask. On cooler days, a thermos of hot chocolate or chai latte warms you up. Don't forget plenty of plain water. Prepare drinks the day before and pour them into flasks and bottles in the morning before departure.