Foolproof Picnic by Marina Filippelli
As trees and shrubs burst into blossom, birds serenade and bees buzz, it’s time to enjoy picnicking again. For those planning a celebratory picnic where hard-boiled eggs and chicken drumsticks just won’t make the grade, this little hardback offers a tasty choice of 60 dishes that will lift the meal to achieve star ratings. Many of them are simple, use items from a deli, while vegetarians, vegans and pescatarians will find their choices marked with a V, VE or P.
Marina Filippelli Asparagus Pastries
After introductory tips on transporting and serving Filippelli opens with snacks and dips, goes on to salads, and presents a chapter on tarts, pies and frittatas. Sandwiches and breads come next, and the text concludes with sweet things and drinks. Many items you will know well but most of these versions add new tastes and textures – Scotch eggs acquire a layer of prawn paste in place of the traditional sausage meat coating while a salad of tomato and Panzanella gets topped with peach wedges and lavender flowers . A tomato tart is flavoured with a layer of Romesco sauce in the author’s favourite recipe, while her leek and stilton quiche is very traditional apart from ground walnuts in the pastry. Focaccia topped with red onions, and black olives finished with olive oil flavoured with garlic, rosemary and chillies looks appetising. Her cucumber sandwiches take a Roman slant as well-buttered bread supports sliced cucumber and anchovy fillets.
Marina Filippelli
When stone fruits are in season I will try the individual plum and ricotta pastries. Her apricot frangipane galette also tempts, and can be filled with nectarines as an alternative.
Every dish is photographed in colour and there’s a useful index to consult.
Myrna Robins
Foolproof Picnic by Marina Filippelli. Published by Hardie Grant, London.
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