THE SETTING

Your own backyard – either seated under the patio or out relaxing under a tree on the grass – can be ideal. The convenience of your own fridge and cooking appliances for preparation inside is hard to bypass.

However, if you plan your menu appropriately it can be turned into a picnic at almost any location with a bit of sunshine, lush grass and pretty flowers.

Cost saving tip – pick your own flowers or greenery from your own or a friend’s yard if available, to save buying them!

Don’t be afraid to add a dash of whimsy with brightly coloured napkins and mismatched plates or lean into the nature theme with leaf or floral-style serving platters – this all adds to charm.

THE MENU

Because an outdoor lunch deserves food that feels fresh, fun and shareable, we put together a list of ideas which are both beautiful and effortless.

Fresh fruit platter – vibrant slices of fruit arranged artistically, it doubles as décor and a refreshing bite between courses. You could even try arranging your fruit in cascading colours.

This one hardly needs a recipe to follow, head down to your local grocer and see what’s looking tempting and in season! If you want something a little extra, try this Chocolate Fondue Fruit Platter , for sweet additions try cookies, chocolate sauce,  Spiced Honey Caramel Fruit Dip or Fresh Fruit Dip.

Artisan cheeseboard – a little bit of everything: creamy brie, sharp cheddar, gouda, honeycomb, nuts and seasonal fruit or whatever pairings take your fancy. And if your cheeseboard is looking a little bored, try adding this unique blood orange cheeseboard paste: –  Blood Orange Cheeseboard Paste

Fried chicken bao buns – these will disappear almost as soon as you set them down. Billowy bao buns contrast with crispy fried chicken, crunchy pickle and your favorite spicy sauce. Fried Chicken is hard to beat, however feel free to switch up the protein to pork using this: – 5 Spice Braised Pork Belly . You could even go all out and make your own bao buns: –  Steamed Bao Buns.

Teriyaki chicken skewers – sticky, sweet, and slightly charred from the grill—these will be the perfect handheld bite. Serve them with sesame seeds and a bowl of extra sauce (because there’s always someone who wants more). Or try these Lemon Chicken Skewers with Roasted Tomato Couscous or Chicken Skewers with Roasted Macadamias.

Smoked salmon crostini – toasted baguette slices topped with herbed cream cheese, ribbons of smoked salmon, dill, and a squeeze of lemon. Simple, elegant, and a total crowd-pleaser. Don’t limit yourself to these toppings though, check out Nibbles/Appetisers.

Loaf cake – fragrant and zesty, these little cakes fit right into the theme: – Mini Lemon Elderflower Loaf Cakes.

Drinks

Of course, no outdoor girls’ lunch is complete without drinks that are just as refreshing as the food. Try The Garden Sour Cocktail  or a big jug of Perfect Pimms, no one will be complaining! Remember to keep plenty of citrus and mint infused water available to keep everyone refreshed and hydrated while out in the sunshine.

If you want to plan your own outdoor girls’ lunch, you don’t need anything elaborate. Choose a few dishes that are easy to share, a pretty backdrop, and let the conversation do the rest. This lengthy, leisurely lunch with friends will turn into one of those afternoons you will want to bottle up and save.