Food
15 Best Picnic Recipes and Wine Pairings
Summer is in full swing and there’s no better time to for a picnic. But what to bring? We’ve got you covered with a list of no-fuss picnic foods and the perfect wines to match, for those glorious afternoons in your nearest park or gardens!
Few things are better than getting together with your friends in the sun on your best picnic blanket, especially with some good picnic wines and some tasty finger food at hand to enjoy. Before we get to the good stuff however – picnic wines and nibbles – it’s important to make sure you’ve got everything you need to just relax and enjoy your day at its best.
PREPARING FOR YOUR PICNIC – AN ESSENTIAL CHECKLIST
If you want a truly trouble-free time at your picnic celebration, we suggest the following essentials:
- Picnic basket (of course)
- A good-sized picnic blanket (especially if you know there’ll be no tables)
- Plates (paper plates or re-usable plastic plates)
- Picnic cutlery and serving utensils
- Napkins or paper towel
- A corkscrew (in case anyone brings a wine sealed with cork)
- Wine glasses (glass or plastic, it’s up to you)
- Wooden board and cutting knife
- Insect repellent (…just in case!) and sunscreen
- Some bottled water
Now, you could always take some cheeses and a nice baguette with a selection of crackers and dried fruits to nibble on – so by all means have a couple of the staples handy – but a good picnic is an ideal opportunity to get a little adventurous with your grazing plates.
So, with the basics covered, let’s look at our picks for the best picnic recipes and their perfect wine pairings!
BEST PICNIC DIPS AND CHEESE RECIPES
Cheese, dips and wine? Yes please! Try these lovely little plates to get your picnic started.
Lydney Milan’s mushroom pâté
Full of earthy flavours, this savoury little dish is sure to prove a winner, and is one to enjoy with a side of crusty bread or Melba toast.
Perfect picnic wine pairing: Pinot Noir or Chardonnay
Lyndey Milan’s roasted sweet potato hummus
The creamy, spicy nature of this dip by Lyndey Milan makes an utterly divine little addition to anyone’s picnic hamper – it’s super easy to make, and even easier to eat!
Perfect picnic wine pairing: Rosé or Vermentino
Whole-baked camembert with nuts and honey
Creamy and indulgent in the extreme, this is one cheese picnic plate that will get your mouth watering no matter the occasion.
Perfect picnic wine pairing: Prosecco or Pinot Gris
BEST PICNIC FINGER FOOD RECIPES
No picnic is really complete without an offering of delectable finger foods to enjoy – and there are no better recipes for the ideal picnic finger foods than these…
Lyndey Milan’s bruschetta with eggplant, capsicum and olives
One to whip up at the nearby park barbeque, this flavoursome bruschetta will really satisfy with its exquisite balance of savoury flavours.
Perfect picnic wine pairing: Pinot Noir, Nero d’Avola or Fiano
Prosciutto-wrapped prawns with a rocket aioli
With just a little bit of prep, these prosciutto-wrapped prawns will help take your next picnic to a place of pure hedonistic pleasure. In a word… delicious!
Perfect picnic wine pairing: Pinot Grigio or Prosecco
Vietnamese rice paper roll
Light, fresh with bright, delightful delicate flavours, this rice paper roll recipe is guaranteed to put a song on the lips of your picnic guests.
Perfect picnic wine pairing: Riesling, Semillon or Rosé
Lyndey Milan’s fish tacos
Super simple to make but oh-so-satisfying, this fish taco recipe balances the lovely flavour of fresh fish with the gentle kick of a delicious salsa – ideal for lunching on in the sun.
Perfect picnic wine pairing: Riesling or Sauvignon Blanc
Sydney rock oysters with ginger and shallot dressing
There’s no beating the delights of fresh oysters on crushed ice, and this neat little oyster recipe delivers just that – a true picnic palate pleaser!
Perfect picnic wine pairing: Young Marsanne, young Riesling or young Semillon
Prawn tostadas with chipotle mayo
Naturally sweet and just a little bit spicy, these prawn tostadas are a picnic appetiser par excellence.
Perfect picnic wine pairing: Sauvignon Blanc or Riesling
Lyndey Milan’s quick Vietnamese-style bahn mi
What could be better than a tray of delicious home-made bahn mi to enjoy in the sun with a crisp, cool wine? Not much, as this cracking recipe will certainly prove.
Perfect picnic wine pairing: Rosé or Riesling
Lyndey Milan’s stuffed figs wrapped in bastourma
Bring the flavour to your picnic expedition with this exotic little plate. Ripe, beautiful flavours in balance with the subtle, savoury qualities of bastourma… what could be better?
Perfect picnic wine pairing: Pinot Grigio or Vermentino
So, when planning your next picnic, make sure to explore some of these recipes and wine pairings, and make it a real event. For more great recipes and perfect food and wine pairings, don’t forget to check out our extensive recipe archive… and enjoy the sunshine!