The Perfect Summer London Picnic
In hopes of encouraging summer to appear, we have the ultimate guide to a London picnic. Which you might need to have in a teepee. Or your living room.
Picnic in Hampstead
Hampstead Heath, with its lush countryside feel, is a natural respite amidst a bustling city and one of London’s largest and most popular parks. The Heath is particularly loved for its wildlife, walking trails and long-grassed, heathland meadows, where we make our whimsical picnic on this London summer day.
Today we go classic picnic—tasty sandwiches, bite-sized veggies, homemade pink lemonade and chips. This menu works for those who wake up on a Saturday, cooler-less, and decide it’s a great day for picnic, as well as those who are fully kitted out. We avoid lettuce salads that tend to wilt when they travel, watery veggies on sandwiches (no one likes soggy bread), hard cheeses that sweat in heat, dairy, mayo and seafood, all of which are never great when left unrefrigerated.
Pink Lemonade
Muddled cherries give this lemonade the perfect pink hue, without using anything artificial or sugar.
Crudités with Cannellini Bean Hummus
Raw veggies are a refreshing and surprisingly satisfying snack when done right, and especially when paired with our creamy and rich cannellini bean hummus. Skip the ubiquitous pre-packed baby carrots and go for the freshest, seasonal veggies you can find.
Balsamic Zucchini, Artichoke and Chèvre Focaccia
The crispy sweet balsamic zucchini, creamy artichoke and goat cheese melt into the fresh foccacia in a delightful combination of flavors. This is also great served open-faced, as a tartine.
Chicken Cutlet Baguette with Roasted Peppers & Pesto
A simple and hearty sandwich with incredible flavor. The breaded chicken and lack of mayo or dairy (aside from a bit of parmesan in the pesto) makes it great for travel.
Homemade Chips
OK, so it takes some effort for something that can be easily bought in a bag, but homemade chips, crisp but billowy with some delicious give in the middle, are actually really worth it. This recipe is great with sweet potatoes and beets as well.
Photography by Ali Allen
