One thing that Indians definitely know how to keep is all the fun and games that come with the months of winter. Friends, family, partners, and everyone come together to plan special winter trips or traditions that become a permanent mark in making memories. Picnics are also included in this. Picnics in India are loud, chaotic, fun, and what ties all this together? A weekend meal in the park with the sun shining on you and the breeze blowing through your hair is much more enjoyable than a routine meal at your dining room table. A fun game night with loved ones while enjoying some savoury picnic fare sounds like the ideal weekend activity. Food is always a priority, whether it's a Sunday family picnic, a potluck with your friends, or your children's school picnic. Kids would frequently become excited about one another's lunchboxes, and your pals would compete to bring the best snack to the table!
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Imagine the joy of assembling a plate of food on a blanket, relishing the satisfying crunch of a snack or sipping on refreshing beverages under the open sky. These dishes bring the vibrancy of Indian street food and home-cooked delights to your outdoor feast, ensuring that every bite is a celebration of nature and culinary craftsmanship. So, pack your basket, spread your blanket, and let the aroma of these portable wonders turn your picnic into a memorable and flavourful rendezvous with Indian cuisine.
Fruit Custard
Dessert at your picnic should be tasty! Custards are simple yet quite gratifying since they are rich and creamy. It would be incredibly filling even without fancy plating or expensive components. Dig into this indulgent dessert after dinner with the goodness of fruits, milk, and custard powder. The custard is largely served in India, and it can also be prepared without custard powder by replacing custard powder with cornstarch or arrowroot starch. It tastes best when served cold.
Chana Chaat
Chana chaat is a refreshing and protein-packed dish that requires no heating. Combine boiled chickpeas with diced vegetables, chaat masala, and a squeeze of lemon juice. This tangy and flavourful salad is easy to transport in airtight containers. Enjoy it as a light and nutritious picnic snack that brings the taste of India to your outdoor feast. The dish's flavour profile is further enhanced with the addition of lemon juice, tamarind sauce, and yoghurt. The combination of sweet, spicy, and tangy flavours makes chana chaat an absolute delight to indulge in.
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Fish Chops
A very wholesome go-to snack among Bengalis, fish chop or maacher chop is a game-changer during picnics. Chop is a chewy, meaty and amazing blast of spicy flavours cooked into one fish mixture. It can surely be called a one-pot dish for the non-fussy filling prepared with the continuous addition of ingredients starting from chopped onions, fish fat, skin and meat to the fish meat at last. The well-incorporated seasonings of ginger, garlic, Bengali bhaaj moshala and other flavourful powdered spices make it a fulfilling filling. These fish croquettes are typically made from rui/katla or carp fish, or aar fish, which is a large catfish that has more fat and fewer bones. Although it can be made from any fish, it is commonly made with the trimmings of bhetki fish fillets. The Bhaja masala used in fish chops is a Bengali concoction of cumin, coriander and dried red chillies.
Grilled Cheese Sandwiches
This list would be incomplete without adding arguably the most popular sandwich of all, the grilled cheese sandwich. This dish has become such an icon over the years that you can simply pick this dish over any other without any regrets. Grilled cheese is a popular lunchtime snack, and it can also be eaten for dinner if you're not too hungry. It's just the finest when you have the correct kind of bread and plenty of freshly grated cheese. Veg grilled sandwiches typically have zucchini, tomatoes, greens, and mushrooms; simple yet give a nice taste and mouthfeel through various textures of vegetables that are grilled along with the spices to complement the taste. This sandwich may also be accompanied by crispy potato chips and tomato ketchup.
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Paneer Tikka
Cottage cheese seasoned with certain spices makes for a delicious appetiser and starter meal. The cottage cheese cubes are marinated in a thick curd, pickling spices, and seasonings. If you like to bite into pickles and enjoy the sour taste of pickled lemon or mango cubes, you will adore this meal. After being coated with a mixture of spices, the majority of which are pickling spices, the soft paneer has a wonderful taste. Tikka dishes have become a national dish, and they are a must-have starting recipe for any celebration or gathering. In general, however, vegetarian tikka is less popular than meat-based versions. However, both meat and vegetarian enthusiasts enjoy the paneer-based tikka.
Mulled Wine
Mulled wine is a quintessential winter drink, combining the warmth of red wine with spices like black peppercorns, ginger, and cinnamon. This beverage is best made in a large batch and kept warm on the stove, allowing guests to ladle their own servings. The spices give a little kick without overwhelming the inherent tastes of the wine. Especially for evening events, its sweet and spicy mix makes it the ideal welcome drink since it gives guests a pleasant beginning to the evening. If you want to start making the best mulled wine that you want to carry for the picnic, look for Italian red wine, Southern French, and New World Merlots and Shiraz. Whatever you do, don't spend too much because you don't want to lose the flavour of a truly fine bottle to all those spices.
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Berry Smoothies
Fruits in general, particularly berries, are an excellent source of immunity boosters since they are rich in antioxidant vitamins and fibre. Besides being yummy, a berry smoothie is one of the best methods of incorporating these nutritional benefits into your child’s picnic menu. Mix Greek yoghurt with raspberries, blueberries, strawberries, and a sweetener such as honey. A handful of spinach adds nutrients without changing the flavour because the colour and flavour of the berries fully cover up the spinach. To suit your child's tastes, you can add milk to make the smoothie thinner or a banana to make it thicker. Serve it in a clear glass to highlight its vibrant colour, maybe accompanied by a colourful straw or a funny paper umbrella.