Summer is here! Plan a Peter Rabbit picnic
The summer is a wonderful time to get outside and enjoy the nature around us. We’ve been inspired by Beatrix Potter’s characters to create some delicious seasonal picnic recipes for grown-ups to make and little ones to devour. We just need to keep our fingers and toes crossed that the rain holds off – not everyone wants to get their feet wet like Mr. Jeremy Fisher!
The perfect picnic
One of the key things for a successful picnic is finding the perfect spot to set it up in, and Beatrix Potter’s stories can give us plenty of ideas. Choose the water’s edge where you might spot some of Mr. Jeremy Fisher’s friends, or under a nice big tree where you might see Timmy Tiptoes!
There’s something special about eating outside, with the sights and sounds of nature all around you. You might like to download our Nature Spotter list to tick off any special things you see.
Looking for some foodie inspiration? Here are just a few Peter Rabbit-inspired ideas for your next picnic spread.
Nature Spotter List
Mr McGregor’s veggies
Crunchy raw vegetables and dips are the perfect partners for a picnic. Chop up carrots, peppers, cucumber and radishes (Peter Rabbit’s favourite!) and serve them with your choice of dip, such as houmous, guacamole or salsa.
Peter, Twinkleberry and Flopsy’s sandwiches
Peter and his family love to enjoy a supper of bread and milk, or fresh brown bread that Mrs. Rabbit has bought from the baker when they’re safe inside their burrow. And sandwiches would make the perfect choice for a picnic. We’ve taken inspiration from some of Beatrix Potter’s characters to create a spread which includes something to suit every tastebud.
Peter Rabbit’s cucumber and cream cheese sandwich
Twinkleberry’s nut butter sandwich
Flopsy’s blackberry jam sandwich
To make the sandwiches even cuter, you could use a bunny cutter to cut them into shape.
Tea party pies
Beatrix Potter’s characters often ate pies - from Mrs. McGregor’s famous rabbit pie to Ribby and Duchess’s tea party pies in The Tale of the Pie and the Patty-Pan! Mini vegetable quiches or tarts make easy picnic finger food, so why not make your own?
Recipe:
300g shortcrust pastry
2 medium eggs
125ml double cream
100g Gruyere cheese, grated
Your choice of vegetable - examples include cooked leeks, peas, courgette
Method:
Roll out the pastry and cut out circles to line the tins with. Chill the pastry for 30 minutes and preheat the oven to 200C. Line the pastry circles with foil and add baking beans before cooking for 10 minutes. Beat your eggs and cream together. Put your vegetables and half the cheese inside the pastry before pouring over the egg and cream mixture. Scatter the rest of the cheese over the top before baking for 20-25 minutes until golden and puffed up.
Coleslaw
Coleslaw is another dish which can be made from some of Peter Rabbit’s favourite foods, including carrot, red pepper, cabbage, lettuce, and his absolute favourite – radishes! It’s a delicious side dish for picnic foods.
Method:
● Slice the vegetables finely into matchsticks.
● Make a dressing out of mayonnaise, yoghurt or sour cream, vinegar, mustard, sugar and lemon juice.
● Add nuts, sliced apple or seeds for added flavour or texture.
Nutkin’s nut and honey flapjacks
We know Squirrel Nutkin is a huge fan of nuts and this recipe would make a lovely option for a sweet treat on your picnic. The flapjacks are easy to transport, you don’t need any cutlery and they will give little ones energy for an afternoon of games and crafts.
Recipe:
● 200g/7oz unsalted butter
● 200g/7oz demerara sugar
● 200g/7oz honey
● 400g/14oz porridge oats
● 50g nuts of your choice
Method:
Preheat the oven to 180C. Melt the butter, sugar and honey together in a pan before adding the oats and nuts and mix it all together. Transfer the mixture to a baking tray and press it down with the back of a spoon so it’s around 2cm thick. Bake in the oven for 15-20 minutes, until it’s golden brown. Leave to cool in the tin before removing it and cutting it into squares.
Flopsy, Mopsy and Cotton-tail’s fruit salad
Choose your favourite fruits and chop them into a colourful and tasty sweet treat. You can include any seasonal fruits such as berries, apples, pears and peaches or nectarines.
Which of these delicious snacks will you be making for your next picnic?