We all know I’m a wine girl. I certainly talk about wine often enough in this space. But before I was a wine girl, a stint as a cocktail bartender gave me an appreciation for good spirits (the alcohol type, although I’m pretty sure the place where I worked was haunted).
I recently learnt that wine and picnics do not mix after I knocked ofter my first two glasses of bubbly after just one sip. Devastating. If you manage to avoid having your stemware disrupted by uneven grass, you end up with bugs floating in your wine. I like my drinks without added protein.
This is where Vodka O‘s new range of premixed cocktails come to the rescue. Made with fruit juices, herbs and spices and less sugar than other pre-mixed drinks. The are also easier to hold than a wine glass and a nice narrow neck to avoid bugs 😉
I was sent two flavours from the range to try. The Strawberry, Cranberry and a touch of basil had candied fruit aromas and quite sweet strawberry flavours with a hint of freshness from the basil. The Apple, Ginger and Spice was a bit like an apple cider with just a subtle touch of ginger- refreshing on a hot summer day. The other thing I liked about them is they are almost colourless and any colour comes from the fruit juice, not horrible fluorescent artificial colourings.
But what to eat?
During my childhood I was a massive fan of Enid Blyton’s “The Children of Cherry Tree Farm.” The children were always having adventures that involved picnics with sandwiches. As a result I still have a bit of a soft spot for sandwiches on picnics. Platters of nibbles are exposed to the elements. Or flies. Waving cheese knives around to swat away flies when there are beverages onboard is never wise. This picnic loaf is a happy meeting of my sandwich love and the joys of an antipasto platter.
I hesitate to call it a recipe because the beauty is you can use whatever you like. It is also fabulous for using up odds and ends in the fridge. Leftover veggies are chargrilled, jars of olives drained, leftover dips or pesto coat the cavity before you fill. Layer in some fresh green leaves and you have healthy, fresh picnic food that is sure to delight.
What is your favourite picnic treat?
Disclosure: I was provided with a sample of Vodka O but was not paid to write this post. All opinions and ideas are my own.
- One large rustic bread loaf (long and deep)
- 3-4 tablespoons of pesto (or dip)
- 1 zucchini
- 3 large mushrooms
- 1 capsicum
- 1 small eggplant
- A handful of olives
- A handful of cherry tomatoes
- A handful of bocconcini
- A handful of baby spinach or rocket
- A few thin slices of pancetta or salami (optional)
- Thinly slice (or use a peeler) zucchini, mushrooms and eggplant and cook in batches on chargrill pan or BBQ. Cool on absorbent paper
- Heat capsicum over a flame or sliced under a grill until skin is blistered and charred. Place in a ziplock bag to steam until cool enough to peel
- Drain olives on absorbent paper
- Thinly slice tomatoes and bocconcini and drain on absorbent paper.
- Carefully cut the top off the loaf, allowing a thickness of up to 2cm in the middle
- Cut around the sides of the loaf, allowing a margin of at least 1.5cm on all sides.
- Use your fingers to scoop out the middle of the loaf.
- Spread pesto on inside of loaf and the lid
- Using one vegetable at a time layer them inside the loaf and press down firmly between layers.
- Fill your loaf to just above the rim.
- Place the lid on and press firmly, tying the loaf up with sting.
- Refrigerate at least 2 hours (can be made the day ahead).
- When read to serve or pack, it helps to tie string around each slice and use a sharp serrated knife to cut thick slices.
- Wrap slices in greaseproof or baking paper and tie up with string
- Use paper towel to absorb excess moisture from all the vegetables to avoid making your loaf too soggy.
- Overfill the loaf so that you need to press the 'lid' down firmly. This will compress your layers and help the loaf stay together.
- Can be made the night before and stored in the fridge.
Oh wow! I want to plan a picnic now so I can make one of your gorgeous picnic loaves.
If I’m not drinking wine or champagne I too love a vodka (I always have a bottle on standby, love it with fresh lime juice, rainwater & ice) I usually don’t go for fizzy, sugary drinks but I was pleasantly surprised with the vodka O’s when I tried the strawberry, cranberry, basil flavour last year, they’re delicious!
When I was a little girl my mum used to read Enid Blyton books to my brother and I, ‘The Far away tree’ was my favourite.
Mmmm and as for my favourite picnic treat….I think it’s going to be your picnic loaf Nicole, can’t wait to try it out! X
I’m a bit jealous that you have rainwater on demand 🙂
So many Blyton fans coming out. I love it!
ooh I’m a voddie girl for sure, these look lovely! Oh and that picnic loaf is genius, I have to say I’ve never made one but you’ve made it look super easy to put together. I love picnics, you’ve inspired me to organise one for summer.
and + 2 for Enid Blyton, I grew up on her books and have so many happy memories about them 🙂
Thank you! The picnic loaf was a bit of an 80s thing in a cob loaf but the longer loaf is easier to work with and so much easier to eat.
Picnics are great, especially in this weather. I haven’t made a picnic loaf in years, but they really are delicious. All that chargilled vegetable goodness, with some meat and cheese. Perfect!
The Vodka-O sounds good too. I rarely buy pre-mixes these days. Like you, I prefer wine.
A few years ago we were given some wine glass spikes. Nifty metal spikes that you stick into the ground with a loop at the top for your glass to sit in. No more spills! A very handy addition to the picnic basket
Oh now that’s an idea.
I amused everyone after my second bubbles spill with a slight tanty at nature. I’m possibly more a rooftop picnic kind of gal.