The ready-made options that won\'t let you down
quick & easy,al fresco,food stories
ghk picnic food
Have a few perfect ready-made foods in your fridge so that you can whip them out and head off for a picnic anytime this summer. Just add fresh bread and fruit and you\'re in picnic heaven! Click through our gallery to discover our favourites from the supermarket shelves right now...
By Catherine Moore
Taiko Irodori Sushi and Vegetarian Sushi
quick & easy,al fresco,Japanese food,food stories
pr sushi
If you\'ve haven\'t previously thought of sushi as picnic food, do so now: it might have been made for picnics and Taiko sushi is just that bit special. The Irodori Sushi selection (£3.99) includes vinegared rice rolls with surimi (white fish) and salmon along with peppers, cucumber and sweet omelette. The veggie version (£4.79) leaves out the fish and is fantastically tasty. Both come with pickled ginger, soy and a pretty hot wasabi. Available from Ocado.
Waitrose Supreme Charlotte Potato Salad
salads,potatoes,al fresco,food stories
pr potato salad
Some bought potato salads feature cubes of ‘stuff\' which seem as though they\'ve never been on speaking terms with an actual spud. This one though, tells a different story, and with its crunchy spring onions could pass as homemade. Great bite to the Charlotte potatoes too - a truly authentic tasting salad. Price £2.49
Tesco Finest Pasta Spinach and Pine Nut Salad
pasta,salads,al fresco,food stories
pr pasta salad
The crunch of the pinenuts is an ideal contrast to the smooth pasta and spinach. The pesto dressing and the Grana Padano cheese add extra interest to the mix. A great taste combination makes this a pasta salad worth packing in the picnic basket. Price £1.89
Sainsbury\'s Taste the Difference Wild Alaskan Sustainably Sourced Sockeye Smoked Salmon
al fresco,salmon,smoked fish,food stories
pr smoked salmon
A beautiful smooth texture marks out this smoked salmon as something special. Melt in the mouth with a wonderfully rich flavour, achieved by its being smoked over whisky cask shavings. Perfect with a green salad or in a baguette. Price £4.79
Tesco Red Pepper Pesto Houmous
dips,peppers,al fresco,food stories,chickpea
pr houmous
Tesco do a good range of flavoured houmous pots and this variety is a particular star. The sweetness of the red pepper gives it a real moorish quality and it is just what you need to have lying around to dip carrot sticks into - be really indulgent and buy your carrot sticks ready chopped if you fancy. Price £1.14
Asda Extra Special Oriental Style Edamame Bean Salad
salads,green beans,al fresco,food stories
pr endamame salad
The Edamame beans are joined by fresh tasting broad beans and fine green beans along with sweet sugar snap peas. The soy, chilli and garlic dressing comes in its own little pot so you can add as much as you like - it enhances the beans without overpowering them. A brilliant, refreshing crispy and crunchy salad which will add life to any picnic. Price £1.50
Bottle Green Pomegranate and Elderflower Presse
al fresco,pomegranates,food stories,elderflower,drinks
pr cordial
This is the perfect drink for a lush, hot summer\'s day. The smell of it alone conjures up pictures of the perfect country garden. Lightly sparkling and a delicate pink, it\'s a really special refreshing drink with the sweetness of the pomegranate adding an extra layer to the elderflower beneath. £2.10 for 75cl from Ocado
Waitrose Nerello Mascalese Prosecco
al fresco,desserts,strawberries,food stories,drinks
pr prosecco
Don\'t go on your picnic hauling around desserts that will be all hot and melty by the time you get around to eating them anyway. At the start of your picnic throw some strawberries into a bowl, slosh some of this fab rose prosecco over them and leave... Drink the rest of the prosecco with your main picnic and then savour those fabulous soaked strawberries for a perfect finish. Price £5.99.
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