There’s nothing better than grabbing a spot in the park for a picnic to lap in the short burst of sunshine we so rarely get on UK shores. Whether you’re with friends or family, a picnic is the ultimate occasion for all ages.  Rather than pulling together a last minute selection of crisps, sweets and sandwiches, how about sprucing up your picnic with some new inspiration?

Tabbouleh

Create this incredible dish of Middle Eastern origins to add fragrant flavours to your picnic. The tabbouleh dish is usually served up as a side to lamb, but when wrapped with pitta bread this recipe stands as a great snack in its own right. Packed full of vibrant yet complimentary flavours such as mint, spring onions and zesty lemon, tabbouleh makes for the perfect foody partner to a sunny day.

Red Pepper Potato Frittata

For something a bit more hearty try whipping up our superb potato frittata stocked full of red pepper. This is a simple concoction which refrains from demanding any speciality ingredients and cooking techniques, yet it still guarantees great flavours and textures. The addition of white wine in this mix adds an enjoyable rich kick to the eggy base, but it may be an element to keep out when serving for the little ones. The frittata is delicious either hot or cold and sits particularly well with a salad.

Potato Yaki Udon

Feast your eyes on another international inspiration for your picnic. The Yaki Udon dish holds its roots in Japan which we’ve altered slightly to give it a potato twist – the combination of spiralled potato noodles, leaves and fresh vegetables makes for an incredibly healthy snack. The whole dish is wonderfully enhanced by a red chilli spice and zing of ginger making this an incredibly enjoyable mix for the spice lovers out there.

Potato Peel Soup

This is a grand recipe from one of Britain’s finest – Hugh Fearnley-Whittingstall. Here you can learn how to rustle up a soft and creamy soup made up of potato peelings which are an overlooked ingredient being commonly discarded. Consuming a wholesome warm tipple just as it starts to get cold in the late afternoon can be the perfect way to round off a day in the park – keep this little concoction in a thermos flask on your next outing.

Sticky Orange Potato Cake

You’re going to need a sweet treat to round off your picnic proceedings, this fruity pudding serves as just that. The sticky orange potato cake allows you to utilise potatoes in ways you never thought to use them before – the zesty, sweet and soft base is conjured from a mix of Maris Piper potatoes and traditional baking ingredients. This method is incredibly easy to follow for those new to baking and inspiring for those familiar; you’ll surprise yourself no doubt.

For further recipe inspiration explore our wide selection of dishes ranging from healthy, budget, quick and diet specific amongst others.