Great British summer food hacks

Through the cold winds, drizzling grey days and sodden shoes we hold onto the promise of blue skies, fresh cut grass and sizzling barbecues. When everything goes according to plan, there is truly nothing like the Great British summer.

The children get to play outdoors, and it suddenly becomes acceptable for bottles of wine, cold beers and G&Ts to be enjoyed in sunshine hours. Our cares melt away with the early morning dew. Yet so often things don’t quite go according to plan and the reason for this is simple… Last summer is such a distant memory (let’s face it, the actual days of blue skies and sunshine are a minority) and we’re so keen that we forget the troubles that so often impede on our recreation.

Truth be told, we Brits are sun worshippers. So, without further ado, here is a handy check list, to ensure that you need never make those rookie errors again.

Do any of these ring a bell?

• Unseasonal weather changes: the sun sets and the temperature suddenly drops by ten degrees, or the heavens open.
• Bugs: the bugs descend on our carefully laid out picnic.
• Spoiled food: Many gourmet picnic treats do not travel well. (We recommend avoiding cucumber, ice cream, anything that requires cutlery, un-bottled sauces, anything delicate and ornate and don’t spend over 30 minutes on picnic food styling – it will get smashed.)
• Too much sun: Sun burn and squinting (It’s painful and it 'aint’ pretty!)
• Blisters: We haven’t worn in our new sandals… or worse – JELLIES (Oww, the pain! )
• Cargo overload: We forget that coastal paths and idyllic countryside don’t have many bins… and end up carrying wrappers, used napkins, plastic cups and used paper plates back 3 km to where the car is parked… joys.
• Restless kids: Kids get tired or restless and start to wreak havoc!
• Washing up: In our hurry to soak up the sun, we take a load of stuff we really don’t want to bin and instead, end up arriving home with stacks of washing up to do. (Way to put a downer on a nice day out!)
• Shop bought party spread: We end up with a load of unseasoned/uninspiring pre-made snack packs (like those shrivelled pre-cut carrot sticks with a measly dollop of hummus in the bottom. Mmm, delicious…) And all because the untimely arrival of our heatwave gave us no prep time! Dammit!

Hands up if you have you been got by one, two (*ahem* ALL of the above) at some point in your life?) Here is an easy, step-by-step check list to follow before all your future summer culinary excursions!

To check:

✓ The weather.
✓ Your own good (unleaking) tuppawear. Take your home-made favourites with you... They will always be yummier than shop bought.
✓ Parking. Parking tickets ruin days out. If you don’t check remember to check the parking, at least take some change.
✓ Local bolt holes for unexpected downpours. Country pubs are a real saviour.

To stock the car with:

✓ Umbrella
✓ Bin bags (very useful and great for sitting on)
✓ Paper plates
✓ Disposable cutlery (you can leave these in the car always… you never know when you may need them)
✓ Blister plasters
✓ In-car first aid kit (children cut themselves, get headaches, get stung by nettles… Keep a spare of all the necessary in the car)
✓ Jumper/cardigan, comfy shoes and trousers (any ‘lesser loved’ items in your wardrobe? Keep them in the car- if the weather turns, you are covered)
✓ Sun cream
✓ Child entertainment (a ball, a book, Boppit… whatever. Just make sure you take a suitable distraction to combat both excess energy and fatigue)
✓ Bug repellant
✓ Baby wipes (there are often very few taps to hand)
✓ Towel*

* If you never ever go near water, this may be avoided but they do double-up as picnic blankets wonderfully.

To bring:

✓ Bottles of water
✓ Hat and sunglasses

To avoid:

✓ Cucumber. However nice, they are characteristically wet! Soggy sandwiches, soggy wraps, slimy ham, slimy cheese… just trust us, avoid it if any length of travel is involved.
✓ Liquids/runnies. That “delicious home-made mayo” you once found in a Nigella cookbook, despite the double layer of Clingfilm, will spill. If not this time, next time. How about some delicious pre-made dressings and sauces that come in a super-safe bottle?
✓ Ceramics. Plates, mugs, bowls, ramekins… If they smash, you’ll be annoyed. If they don’t, you will need to carry them back to the car. Then 3 hours later, you will have to wash them when you really can’t be bothered, whist everyone else is relaxing and enjoying themselves.
✓ Anything that melts. Ice cream? In the car? You’re crazy!
✓ Anything ornate or delicate**. If your puddings, your pies or your canapés took you "forever" to make, don't, whatever you do, put them in a box, then into a hot car, then walk with them, and then expect them to look the same when they get out. For picnics, basic is best.

** If your event is in the garden or a short distance away with adequate chilling facilities, you may totally ignore this.

To remember:

If you have made plans in advance, try to find things that you can prepare a day or two early, that last well in the fridge!