Let’s Picnic
There’s something special about being outside while eating. Doesn’t everything taste better when you’re sprawled out on the grass, blue sky above? With the weather warming up, it’s time to get out your picnic basket! This menu pulls from the earth’s rich bounty of plants with plenty of choices to suit everyone on your picnic blanket.
Picnics are a wonderful way to get away from the everyday; you can embrace the simplicity of the food, allowing time to connect with friends and family.
The informal nature of picnicking removes barriers that sometimes go with dining. The lack of a rigid structure can also be helpful for allowing you to provide a diverse menu with choices for everyone. It’s about great food, connecting with friends, and relaxation. One of the best things about picnics is that, by the time you get to your favourite al fresco spot, most of the hard work is done―just unpack, relax, graze, and linger.
While we can’t guarantee the weather, we’re sure these six recipes for scrumptious packable fare will make your picnic a delicious success.
These recipes were originally published in the April 2025 issue of alive magazine.
Somewhere between a Mexican salsa macha and a pesto, this herby dip gets an earthy base of toasted pumpkin seeds, tempered by fresh cilantro, lots of zesty lime, and a dash of heat from jalapenos and red chilies. Served with seed crackers, bread, or fresh cut vegetables, this hearty dip will keep everyone going and is easy to pack and serve.
The inspiration here is Greek Salad―but on a stick. We’ve added some savoury lemony garlic chicken packed with flavour so it’s delicious served cold. These skewers are packed full of veggies, which makes them easy to modify for those with dietary preferences. Just leave off the feta or the chicken for those who prefer veggies only. And while they’re delicious as is, the inclusion of a tzatziki-style dip adds an extra zing. To keep things on schedule, cook the chicken the day before or early in the morning of your picnic.
Sandwiches are a picnic essential, but these ones have a bit of a twist. These uncomplicated sandwiches are fresh and full of flavour made extra special with homemade flatbread studded with fragrant nigella seeds. The chickpea filling is dressed with olive oil, pomegranate molasses, honey, and chili crisp for a delicious and unexpected flavour that belies the simplicity of the preparation. You can find chili crisp in Asian or specialty grocery stores.
This hearty salad has the soul of a stir-fry with flavours of garlic, soy, miso, ginger, and chilies. And it makes use of every part of the broccoli by including the flavourful stem. Edamame gives this fibre-rich salad a punch of protein. The best thing is that this slaw keeps well and gets richer in flavour as it’s stored in the fridge.
This refreshing cooler has layers of delicate flavour and just a hint of sweetness. An infusion of basil, ginger, cardamom, cinnamon, and turmeric is combined with gently steeped green tea. Make this well in advance to allow time to chill the drink prior to the picnic. Keep it cold in an insulated container or cooler.
The simple presentation of these strawberry coconut cream pots hides sophisticated flavour. Ripe berries are macerated with a dash of sherry vinegar, maple syrup, mint, black pepper, and a hint of salt which helps to bring out the flavours. They’re then combined with coconut cream before being layered over a nutty buckwheat and almond base. Sealed up in Mason jars, they’re a cinch to pack and serve.
