PACK A BASKET

The weatherman is promising a sunny weekend and you decide it’s time to plan the perfect picnic. A scenic spot is essential, but even more important is the food. When you’re communing with nature you want nibbles that can be eaten with your hands and are delicious cold. Here are three fresh, healthy recipes that are all that and more.

Grilled vegetables with turmeric dipping sauce

If using wooden skewers, soak in cold water for at least 30 minutes before using. This helps prevent burning on the grill. The vegetable quantities are just a guide — it depends on the size of each.

Serves 4

TURMERIC DIPPING SAUCE

½ cup natural unsweetened yoghurt

2 teaspoons tahini

2 teaspoons apple cider vinegar

½ teaspoon ground turmeric

1 clove garlic, grated (using a microplane) or very finely chopped

½ teaspoon honey or maple syrup

Sea salt and freshly ground white pepper

GRILLED VEGETABLES

8 wooden or metal skewers

3 small courgettes, halved lengthwise and cut into 2.5cm pieces

6- 8 vine sweet mini peppers, cored and deseeded and cut into 2.5cm pieces (or use 1-2 capsicum)

1 red onion, cut into 2.5cm pieces

Olive oil for drizzling

Sea salt and black pepper

4 vine-ripened tomatoes

A few cherry tomatoes, mixed colours are great here

1 Make the turmeric dipping sauce: mix the yoghurt, tahini, vinegar, turmeric and garlic together. Season to taste with honey or maple syrup, salt and freshly ground white pepper. Cover well and keep in the fridge for up to a week. 2 Prepare the grilled vegetables: If using wooden skewers, soak in cold water for at least 30 minutes to help prevent burning on the grill.

3 Thread courgette, capsicum and red onion onto separate skewers, placing on a large plate as you go. Drizzle with olive oil and season with salt and freshly ground black pepper. 4 Heat a char grill until hot. Once hot, add the vegetable skewers and grill until dark grill lines appear, turning from time to time to grill evenly. Roll the tomatoes in the oil remaining on the plate and add to the grill, again grilling until grill lines appear and tomatoes begin to split. 5 Place skewers and grilled tomatoes on a picnic plate with the turmeric dipping sauce.