If you are living in the northern hemisphere and planning to enjoy the sunshine outdoors with a picnic, you might like to add a South African flavour to your outdoor meal with these picnic recipes for South African finger food. If you are living in South Africa, you might even have a chance to enjoy a quick picnic outdoors before the winter sets in.
Lazy picnics outdoors are one of the best things about summer. All you need to do is pack a cooler bag with your favourite finger food and head to your local picnic spot. Picnics outdoors are a multi-generational activity that allow the adults time to relax and the children an opportunity to run around, enjoying the fine summer weather. So if you are planning a picnic, head to the kitchen and put some of these picnic recipes into action:
South African finger food
Mini steak wraps recipe
South African’s love their steak and if you are having a picnic, there is no reason why you shouldn’t enjoy it – even if there is no place to braai!
Wraps:
- 1/4 cups cake flour + extra for dusting
- 1 tsp butter
- A few tablespoons of water
Steak strips:
- 1 rump steak
- Juice of one lemon
- 3 Tbs olive oil
- 1 tsp chopped fresh thyme
Method:
- Rub the butter into the flour until it resembles breadcrumbs.
- Add water, little by little, kneading as you go. Do this until the dough comes together and can be shaped into a ball.
- Roll into a sausage, and split into ten balls, each about the size of a walnut.
- Roll them out as thinly as you can on a floured board. They should end up a little smaller than the size of a CD.
- Dry fry in a pan, medium heat. Don’t be alarmed, they will bubble up. They’re done when lightly browned and not doughy.
- Place them in a tupperware and cover, so they don’t harden when they cool.
- Cook the steak – fry, braai or grill. Once cooked to your liking, slice into strips and toss in the dressing. The longer you let it sit in the dressing, the more delicious your wraps will be.
- Let everyone assemble their own wraps if you don’t want a mutiny: serve with a herby salad.
Crispy chicken drumsticks recipe
If you prefer chicken to red meat, try these crispy chicken drumsticks – if there is any left over, they make great lunch box snacks.
Ingredients
- 3 Tbs oil
- 8 chicken drumsticks
- 2 cups buttermilk
- 2 tsp garlic
- 5 cups breadcrumbs
- 1 tsp dried basil
- 1 tsp oregano
- 1/2 tsp black pepper
- 1 tsp salt
Method
- Mix garlic and buttermilk, and marinade drumsticks for at least half an hour (overnight is best), turning occasionally.
- Preheat oven to 180 degrees.
- Let drumsticks drain on a baking grid over a tray for at least ten minutes. (You can discard the buttermilk.)
- In the meanwhile, mix breadcrumbs, spices and seasoning in a shallow bowl.
- When drumsticks have drained, dip each one in the breadcrumb mix, making sure they’re well-coated, and place on your baking tray.
- Bake for 30 – 45 minutes, until the coating is crunchy and golden and chicken fully cooked.
Mini sausage rolls recipe
Mini sausage rolls are a great favourite with everyone including the kids. Try this easy sausage roll recipe, that will have everyone wanting more:
What you’ll need
- 1 packet pork sausages
- 2 slices white bread soaked in milk
- 1 onion, finely chopped
- 1 free-range egg, beaten
- 1 roll ready-made puff pastry
- 1 tsp dried mixed herbs
Method
Take all the sausage meat out of the sausage casing and place with the onion, herbs and bread. Season with salt and pepper and mix well. Roll out the puff pastry and cut into four long strips. Cover half of each long strip with the sausage-meat mixture. Fold the pastry over the meat and press together with your fingers, making sure it’s sealed well. Cut the long roll into several small sausage rolls. Brush the rolls with the beaten egg and bake in the oven at 200°C. Cooking time 35 minutes or until golden brown.
A marmite tart recipe
What could be more South African than marmite? This delicious marmite tart is so versatile you can enjoy it at a picnic or at a smart afternoon tea at home.
Ingredients
- 1 cup flour
- ½ cup softened butter and 1 ½ tbls melted butter
- ½ cup grated cheddar
- 1 cup milk
- 1 tsp salt
- 1 free-range egg
- 1 tsp baking powder
- 1 tsp Marmite
How to make a Marmite tart
Mix the flour and butter and then add the grated cheese. Mix together and then add the milk, salt and egg and beat to combine. Add the baking powder. Pour into a greased pie dish and bake at 180C for 30 minutes. Take the tart out of the oven and prick all over. Melt together the 1 ½ T butter and 1 tsp Marmite and pour over the warm tart.
Bacon and mushroom frittatas recipe
Another great favourite with kids are frittatas – and these can be enjoyed hours after they’re made at a picnic or any time! They’re so versatile, if your children don’t like mushrooms, you can add virtually any ingredient to them.
Ingredients
- 8 free-range eggs
- 200 ml milk
- ½ cup grated cheddar cheese
- One pack of bacon, chopped finely
- 250 g mushrooms, sliced
- 3 courgettes, grated
Method
Fry the bacon until it’s almost done, and then add the sliced mushrooms. Cook for a few minutes or until the bacon is crispy and the mushrooms have softened. Mix together the eggs, milk and cheese and add the bacon, mushrooms and courgettes. Pour into greased muffin tins and cook at 180C for about 20 minutes, or until they’re golden and the egg has set on top.
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