Picnic tea
One of our favourite types of dinner is what small daughter calls “picnic tea”. I suppose it’s a buffet, a help-yourself dinner, but small daughter has always thought of it as a picnic, something to be enjoyed inside or outdoors as the weather permits.
Tonight, we were outdoors. Picnic teas usually follow the same format – baby jacket potatoes (snapped here as they were being passed around the table – “Do you have to photograph these now? We’re hungry!”), salad leaves from the garden – today it was rocket and three types of cut-and-come-again lettuce varieties, and a very small cucumber which we shared – and then whatever else takes our fancy or happens to be in the fridge.
For this meal, we had a small pizza and opened up a new wedge of Brie cheese. Mmmm, I love Brie! We don’t worry too much about the presentation, carrying packets and bottles out to the garden rather than putting everything out onto serving dishes. After all, you don’t want to be too formal at a picnic, do you?
Have you got a favourite family meal?
Oh it's like a pick & mix isn't it? I love these types of meals. I don't think we have a particular fav here but a roast is always accompanied with something baked in cheese be it cauliflower or leeks! xx
Cauliflower cheese is one of my husband's favourite dishes, he'd eat it for every meal if he could, I'm sure! xx
Man Wonderful and I had simple pasta and pesto tonight. Veggy Chilli is a favourite, as is Lentil Stew.
Mmm, sounds good! xx
My daughter refers to this type of meal as 'iffits' – if it's in the fridge or larder you can have it! Hard to choose a favourite but I think it's always especially nice if it includes something you've grown yourself, or something someone else has cooked! Roasts, vegetarian, Italian, spicy – unfortunately for my waistline I like them all!
That's a great name for this type of dinner, Elaine, I really like that! xx
When my kids were little, we'd call it a house party tea!!
It is like a party tea, isn't it? All you need is the cake and the balloons and it could be! 🙂 xx
Friday was carpet picnic night for the kids, eaten off trays in front of a film. We ate a candlelit dinner later on. But I have to say I may be nicking iffits as a new name for this sort of meal! Just suits the idea, doesn't it?
Iffits is a great name! Your Friday dinner sounds very civilised and just right for everybody! xx
I love any meal that includes cheese and baby roasters. All looks so delicious x
I can't recommend it highly enough, Penny! xx
What a brilliant idea for a tea! I love that you can just use up whatever you have in the fridge. Your selection looks delicious. x
It's a very lazy sort of tea, Gillian, but sometimes that's just what you need – and if it turns out to be a favourite as well then everyone wins! 🙂 xx