Well, it’s still National Picnic week. Have you had a picnic yet? I think we can extend the deadline to include this weekend if you’re pushed for time.
A good picnic must have food that is both fun and delicious in my humble opinion. You can’t just pack up a standard cheese sandwich and expect everyone to get in the picnic mood. That won’t do at all. People expect excellent and imaginative sandwich fillings, some form of crisps and of course a scotch egg, a slice of pork pie, fresh berries (ie/’fun’ fruit) and a cake or flapjack of sorts. (I have never knowingly under-catered).
When it comes to fun sandwiches I think serving anything in a Cat or Van Shape sandwich (courtesy of Warburtons Shapes) is going to elevate even the most humble filling. Kids totally eat with their eyes; a strategically placed cherry tomato, piece of cucumber or strawberry used as ‘sandwich art’ can easily elevate a regular sandwich to something that’s fun as well as encouraging a few more of their five a day make their way into their little bodies.
Lots of great recipes like this in my book, Recipes from a Normal Mum, out now… on Amazon, The Works, at Waterstones, WHSmith, The Book Depository and many smaller outlets.
This time last year: Cherry & banana no churn ice-cream, Orange meringue pie and Roasted cauliflower, cumin and bulgar wheat salad.
Two years ago: Beery walnut bread, Gluten-free oat-topped chorizo, sweetcorn and tomato muffins and Orange butter biscuits.
Three years ago: Chocolate, hazelnut and orange wrinkly biscuits, Sticky Bounty rolls and Lemon & almond breakfast rolls,
Four years ago: Father’s Day man cake and Bakewell tart with a vanilla crust.
Here are a few filling ideas, some humble, some a little more special:
The Neptune
Fills 6 Warburtons Cat Shapes
Ingredients:
- 2 x 150g tin tuna in spring water, (drained weight)
- 8 tbsp Greek yoghurt
- 6 spring onions, topped and tailed and finely chopped
- 2 tsp black pepper
- 30g watercress, washed and patted dry
- 6 Warburtons Cat Shapes
Stir together the tuna, yoghurt, onion and pepper, then use to spread both sides of the Warburtons Cat Shapes. Lay a little watercress on top of half of the Cat Shapes and place the other 6 ‘lids’ on the top to close the sandwiches.
The Ratty Goat
Fills 3 Warburtons Cat Shapes and 3 Warburtons Van Shapes with plenty of ratatouille leftover as a side.
Ingredients:
- 275g courgette, cut into 3cm chunks
- 220g aubergine, cut into 3cm chunks
- ½ red onion, cut into 3cm chunks
- 1 red pepper, deseeded and cut into 3cm chunks
- 100g chestnut mushrooms, cut into quarters
- 24 cherry tomatoes
- 1 tsp olive oil
- 1 tsp freshly ground black pepper
- 150g goat’s cheese
- 3 Warburtons Cat Shapes
- 3 Warburtons Van Shapes
To make the ratatouille preheat the oven to 200°C/Gas Mark 6 and place all the prepared vegetables into a roasting tray. Drizzle with the oil and sprinkle with black pepper, then roast for 25 minutes until golden and cooked through. Spread the Warburtons Cat and Van Shapes with goat’s cheese and top with cold or warm ratatouille. You can serve this sandwich open or closed, and don’t forget to serve the leftover vegetables on the side.
The CLT
Fills 6 Warburtons Van Shapes
Ingredients:
- 12 tsp softened butter
- 6 slices roast chicken
- 6 little gem lettuce leaves
- 6 cherry tomatoes, sliced
- 6 Warburtons Van Shapes
Spread the Warburtons Van Shapes with a teaspoon of soft butter on each side. Layer a lettuce leaf, a slice of roast chicken and 1 cherry tomato (sliced) on one side, close and serve.
Dream Strawberry Shapes
Fills 6 Warburtons Cat Shapes
Ingredients:
- 12 tbsp chocolate and hazelnut spread
- 12 strawberries, hulled and sliced
- 6 Warburtons Cat Shapes
Spread both sides of the Warburtons Cat Shapes with chocolate and hazelnut spread then carefully layer strawberry slices over the top. Close the sandwich and serve as a treat!
What would you put in your Shapes? You can share your ideas on Twitter and Instagram using #ShareYourShapes as well as posting on the Warburtons Facebook page.
Warburtons Shapes are available in Asda, Waitrose and Ocado nationwide from today, and will follow in other retailers. They come in packs of 6 for £1.28.
This blog post was supported by Warburtons.
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Holly Bell 