Celebrate National Picnic Week in the Lake District
Delicious Lovingly Artisan breads are celebrating National Picnic Week 19 – 27th June
Picnic’s herald perfect summers and fun times with friends and National Picnic Week is a perfect excuse to grab your blankets and dust off those baskets and make the time to get out in to the great outdoors and tuck into a good old-fashioned picnic accompanied by some delicious Lovingly Artisan breads, laying the foundations for your perfect picnic.
Our picnic 5 favourite picnic breads
- Heritage Kombucha Sourdough, perfect for tearing and sharing. Made using emmer, one of the world’s oldest grains and artisan brewed kombucha – it’s strong in flavour, has an amazing texture which delivers a delicious, crispy, thick crust, making it a total delight to chew – that’s if you can get your hands on it before the other get stuck in!
2. Danish Rugbrød, ideal for creating open sandwich heaven or as it’s known Smørrebrød – think smoked salmon, cold cuts, cheese and lots of garnishes. This is bread full of pure goodness, we scald the linseeds and soak them for two days beforehand folding into the rye berry blend. It’s everything you want in a rye bread, bold flavours, and brim full of antioxidants and a total taste sensation.
3. Mrs Kirkham’s Cheese and Chilli, is something of an institution and is made for the perfect ploughman’s. A light rye sourdough with a perfect blend of Lancashire cheese and diced fresh chilli. Tangy, tasty and chewy, it’s simply delicious, and doesn’t have too much chilli heat so it’s child-friendly too.
4. Kalamata Olive Sourdough, perfect with antipasti, dipping in oils and balsamic. Our signature white sourdough loaf with beautiful Kalamata Olives from our friends Silver & Green – a total taste sensation.
5. Spiced Apple and Sultana Sourdough, simply amazing with charcuterie and soft oozy British made cheeses like Tunworth or St. Jude. Delicious Bramley apples and sultanas in cinnamon soften with a pinch of sugar. This sourdough loaf is pure comfort in a tin think Cheddar or Fellstone cheese, pickles, chutneys and smoked hams and salami, olives and you’ve conjured up the perfect repast!
Top tips for the stylish picnic
So, we’ve looked at some of the key foundations of your picnic five our favourite picnic breads but let’s face it outdoor meals do require a little more planning. They can be as simple or as elegant as you’d like to make them… But whatever you decide planning a picnic is so much more than just simply dragging the food you might normally cook outdoors… think about the setting, the weather with obviously plays a part (especially in the Lakes), work out what you’re going to serve and how easy it will be to dish up and more importantly to eat.
Whether you’re headed for a secluded spot by the lake or a dappled glade by the river, your choice of location can make or break your picnic.
Whatever you do bin the formality! Picnics are meant to be fun and informal, instead of planning a formal menu think buffet picky food to create a spread you can lay out when you get there, then you can simply sit back, relax and enjoy along with everyone else.
We all like something seared and crispy off the grill, but most picnics feature salads galore. Make and pack as many as you think you’ll eat green, bean and grain salads are obvious choices but don’t skimp on potato and tomato salads, they’re fresh, tasty and add colour to your platter – key tip don’t forget the dressings and add them when you get to your picnic destination – otherwise you’ll end up with a soggy mess!
Think luxury and treat your guests to proper fabric napkins, they’re more stylish and they’re eco-friendly too because you can wash and use time and time again.
Break out your stash of retro enamel plates, they’re light, easy to pack and carry about, not only that they’re hugely practical too because you can load them up with all sorts of foods and they won’t collapse on you. Handily they’re eco-friendly too, simply take them home and wash them and reuse, it beats throwing paper plates in the bin!
You’ve carefully prepared a selection of totally tasty snacks and treats, whatever you do don’t let your hard work end up in a soggy mess as a result of poor packing. Simply put invest in a good quality hamper or cool bag. It’s just as important to keep your cold foods cold with lots of ice packs, remember a full cool bag will stay colder longer – the perfect excuse to take lots of delicious treats.
Remember you can never have too many storage containers – that way your picnic feast will arrive in tip top condition!
Don’t forget to pack a couple of bin liners too that way you can ensure you clean up properly, take your rubbish home and leave no trace of where you’ve been other than flattened grass.
Enjoy National Picnic Week with friends, family and sourdough this week!
Happy feasting
Aidan & Catherine x
