Best gluten free foods for the Picnic Season

Picnic season is coming up so here are our best gluten free foods and dairy free recipes.

International Picnic Day was on June 18th, which also starts off the National Picnic week. Do you like picnics? Do you like packing up your favourite foodie goodies and heading off somewhere beautiful to enjoy the good weather, great views and al fresco eating?

So where does the idea of picnics come from?

You may think that picnics are a British tradition, but they’re more likely to originate in France in the early 17th Century

One thought behind the meaning of the word is, it derives from the French word ‘piquer’ which means to pick, peck or nab (niquer) – which turns into the French, pique-nique.

It seems early mentions of the word refer to the habit of friends meeting up, and each contributing a dish to the event, which we now refer to as a ‘Potluck meal’.

Picnicking outdoors became common in France after the French Revolution, where it was possible for ordinary people to visit and mingle in the country’s royal parks.

The revolution also meant that many of the French middle and upper classes fled to Britain, and introduced the concept here.

These days, a picnic is a meal taken outdoors, which is usually part of an excursion into the countryside, with idyllic scenery and interesting views, or sometimes as part of a public open-air performance – usually in the summer.

A picnic for someone with allergies can be a bit of a nightmare, it requires planning and trust in others not bringing along foods which contain your allergens. It can take away some of the spontaneity of event, but doesn’t have to ruin it for you!

9 ideas for planning for an allergy safe picnic

If you know someone who is attending your picnic and they have allergies:

1. Ask about the allergies. What foods are unsafe? 

2. Check about precautions to prepare the food – making it allergy safe. Ensure there is no cross contamination. It’s safer, if one person is allergic to something, not to include that allergen at all.

3. Pack food separately – if possible bring two baskets or containers one of which is allergy-friendly, and contains all of the allergy-free foods, and utensils.

4. Keep the menu simple – fewer ingredients mean less potential for unexpected reactions.

5. Make as much of the food yourself so you know exactly what ingredients are included. If you use dips and dressings, ensure they are allergy safe and read the ingredients beforehand to double check.

6. Take handwipes and condiment packets rather than shared jars etc.

7. If using a table, cover it with a clean table cloth to prevent allergens left over from previous picnics.

8. Drink from cups with your names written on if possible.

9. Make sure you or a guest with allergies has their ‘epi pens’ or other treatments and know that mobile phone coverage is strong in case of emergency – or download the Teal App too.

Gluten free foods to take on a picnic:

1. Any of Creative Nature’s Protein Crunch Bars, or Oatie Bars are perfect as extra nut safe snacks for a picnic, as well as any of our allergy friendly Gnawble range.
2. For gluten free savouries – create a range of salads, including Quinoa salad, or watermelon and spinach, bean and rice, edamame beans mixed with other raw vegetables or coleslaw. Mix in your favourite vegetables and fruits.
3. Along with a range of gluten and allergen free dips, take finely cut strips of raw vegetables (some don’t cut into strips).
4. Creative Nature’s allergy friendly baking mixes where you can make some easy gluten free bakes to pack in your picnic basket.

Picnic Bakes:

We wanted to prepare you for picnic with these easy baking recipes for beginners that anyone can make and that are all allergy friendly.

Carrot Cake:

Our nut free Carrot Cake is a perfect picnic treat for anyone who has a food allergy as it is free from from the Top 14 Allergens. This recipe is perfect for baking with kids as it is so easy to bake.

 Serves 10: Prep 10 mines: Cook 30 – 40 mins

Ingredients:

• 1 Creative Nature Carrot cake mix
• 165g grated carrot
• 70 ml Vegetable Oil
• 65ml Cold Water
• Add 1 tbsp apple cider vinegar for a fluffier loaf
• Cookie cutter

Method:

1. Preheat the oven to 180° (fan)
2. In a large mixing bowl, add the Carrot cake baking mix, grated carrot, vegetable oil, cold water and apple cider vinegar (remembering to leave aside some grated carrot for decoration).
3. Pour the mixture into a greaseproof circular tin, and place in the oven for 30 – 35 mins. Then leave to cool.

Frosting:

If you are looking for the perfect dairy free frosting then this is the recipe for you. This frosting is a great pairing for any vegan, nut free cake.

Ingredients:

• 156g Icing sugar
• 60g extra virgin coconut oil
• 30ml your favourite plant-based milk
• Splash of vanilla extract

Method:

1. To make the frosting for the carrot cakes, ensure the coconut oil is room temperature (nice and soft), then whisk it to a creamy texture in a bowl.
2. Add the icing sugar while mixing together gently, pop in the vanilla, then slowly add the milk whilst mixing until you reach your desired consistency.
3. Using a cookie cutter, cut the carrot cake into circles and spread the frosting over the top, then sprinkle with your saved, grated carrot.

Banana Bread:

Do you need easy dairy free recipes for your picnics? Our gluten free Banana Bread baking mix is exactly that and also suitable for vegans. You only need to add a few ingredients and you are good to go.

Serves 10: Prep 10 mines: Cook 30 – 40 mins

Ingredients:

• 1 Creative Nature Banana bread mix
• 3 Large ripe bananas
• 40g Dairy free spread
• Tin foil to cover bread

Method:

1. Preheat the oven to 180° (fan)
2. In a bowl, mash the bananas until smooth, using a fork.
3. Add the Banana Bread baking mix, and the dairy free spread and stir until fully combined.
4. Spoon the mixture into a greased loaf tin.
5. Place in the oven to bake for 25 mins.
6. After 25 minutes, take the banana bread out of the oven and cover the tin with foil and place back in the oven for a further 20 minutes.
7. When cooked, take the banana bread out of the oven, and it should be golden brown on top.

Pack everything into your picnic basket including 1x 30g pack Creative Nature HazelNOT Gnawbles  – to accompany the finished bakes and not forgetting your epi pen, and have a safe picnic day!