Following on from last week's top tips for packing a great picnic and not one that looks like it's been in an earthquake, here are some great ideas and recipes for your own special hamper.  It doesn't take much to put together something special especially with the help of your local supermarket and the deli counter.  And with another bank holiday at the end of the month, there's never been a good time to buy that snazzy hamper you've had your eye on.  Lets all hope for some hot and barmy days in the sun but just in case, don't forget your brolly. 

Picnic ideas and recipes 

Mediterranean style hamper – this is the simplest and easiest hamper to pack and perfect for a spur of the moment picnic.  All ingredients can be found at your local delicatessen and with such a wonderful selection to choose from you can pick up the entire contents to your hamper on the way to your destination.

Ideas include:

• Cold meats – salami, pastrami, prosciutto, ham – the list is endless
• Cheese – Italian Dolcelatta, Greek Feta and Cypriot Halloumi make a good versatile choice of cheese
• Bread – Baguette, Ciabatta, Pitta – these are all an easy option and can be served by hand with no need for fancy slicing
• Antipasti – The Mediterraneans are famous for their wide selection of meze or antipasti including marinated olives, stuffed red peppers, grilled aubergines and artichoke hearts – and with all that wonderful olive oil perfect for mopping up with your bread
• Salad – today’s supermarkets have a great range of ready prepared salad leaves including rocket and lambs lettuce – no need to wash or chop.  Serve with some juicy cherry tomatoes and simple herbs of parsley, basil or coriander drizzled with olive oil and lemon juice and eh voila!

A Family Picnic – it can sometimes be difficult to cater for the whole family so keep it neat and as practical as you can – going for dishes that can work for adults and children alike is normally a good start.

Ideas include:

• Light Pasta salad – this is great and transports well.  Here’s a quick and easy recipe:

Take enough pasta for your number of guests (normally allow 50g per person for a picnic), Farfalle (pasta bows) or Penne (tubes) are great, cook to al dente consistency, cool then mix with olive oil, halved cherry tomatoes, mozzarella balls or feta cheese, basil leaves and cracked black pepper.  Put in an airtight container.  Keep refrigerated until needed.

• Small bread rolls – white and wholemeal, with take along fillings such as egg mayonnaise and cress, tuna mayonnaise and black pepper, or good old Branston pickle and cheddar.
• Boiled or scotch eggs, cold meats, relishes, pickles, raw vegetables are all great and versatile choices for a fun family day out.
• Some soft drinks such as small cartons of orange juice or lemonade that don’t need pouring.
• And don’t forget some yummy treats – banana cake, chocolate brownies and carrot cake are a delicious choice for the adults and some small jelly or fruit pots from your local supermarket for the kids.

Posh Picnic – this is the perfect hamper for a Henley regatta style outing, or a day at Kew Gardens.  And if you have a gorgeous hamper with all the right equipment to show off then even better.

Ideas include:

• The finest Champagne or some classic Pimms and lemonade, whatever tickles your fancy.
• Cucumber sandwiches – Slice the cucumber as thinly as you can then sprinkle over some salt and leave for about an hour.  Then lightly butter the finest white bread and layer one slice with cucumber slices.  Cover with the second slice, cut off the crusts then slice into squares or rectangles.  This stops the bread becoming soggy and makes for a refreshing summer sarnie. 
• Pate – always a success, Duck or chicken liver pate normally works a treat served with some oat cakes.
• Cheese board – a selection of three or four different cheese varieties will make all of your guests happy and should include Stilton, a fine mature cheddar and a brie.  Serve with some crusty baguette or the oat cakes.
• Fresh fruit – strawberries are a perfect seasonal choice and complement the champagne.