Rachel Allen

She’s a firm believer in the pleasure of dining al fresco, and never says no to a picnic. Rachel Allen whips up some of her favourites to eat outdoors

Picnic treats

E“The greatest picnics I remember — surely no coincidence — had cake as the main event”

ating outside is one of life’s great pleasures and, as we all know, everything just seems to taste better al fresco, especially when it’s washed down with a glass — or a plastic cup — of something chilled and pink, or a flask of tea.

More often than not, for me, eating al fresco also comes with a hefty whiff of nostalgia, and the greatest picnics I remember — surely no coincidence — had cake as the main event. But to get our cake, we had to eat all of the egg and chicken sandwiches first. No hardship there, as they were, and still are, two of my favourite-ever sandwich fillings.

When it comes to preparing food for a picnic, it needs to be nicely transportable and able to withstand a bit of shaking about. This Bakewell cake, right, is one of my favourites. Taking the raspberry and almond elements from the classic tart, which hails from Bakewell in Derbyshire, England, it’s sturdy enough to pack in a box and is just what I want with a flask of tea.

The ever-portable sausage roll was created just for picnics. These ones, far right, are so easy to make, and ideal for enjoying while lying on a rug somewhere lovely.

These coconut and lime squares, also far right, are what the Australians call a ‘slab cake’. Perfectly transportable and completely delicious with their crunchy, zesty, lime glaze on top, these love to be taken out in the elements and plonked on a picnic rug. If only we had a little bit of that Sydney sun.