This year, avoid bundles of plastic-wrapped ready-made picnic food for your sunshine-filled lunch at the park. Instead, make up a delicious hamper of home-cooked picnic goodies. Think grain salads and homemade hummus, bowls of olives and a homemade quiche or tart as the crowning centrepiece. Making your own doesn't need to be a drag. Try one of these quick and easy vegetarian tart recipes for a meat- and stress-free showstopper.
Broccoli, Gorgonzola, Chilli and Walnut Quiche from The Green Roasting Tin by Rukmini Iyer
The Most Indulgent Quick Cook Quiche is what Rukmini calls this delicious take on the classic French tart. Here she uses puff pastry, topped with the perfect pairing of broccoli and gorgonzola with a modest kick of chilli, assembled and cooked all in one tin. Easy.
From the book
The Green Roasting Tin
Fast one-dish family favourites
All-in-one creative vegan recipes
Easy one-tin vegetarian dinners
Three-ingredient Asparagus Tartlets from Three Ingredient Baking by Sarah Rainey
Tangy Swiss Gruyère, seasonal green asparagus and pillowy, buttery puff pastry are all you need to make these whip-up-in-minutes tartlets.
Get your copy of Three-Ingredient Baking here.
Watercress and Brie Flamiche from A Good Egg by Genevieve Taylor
If a cross between a pizza and quiche sounds delicious to you, then try this flamiche. You can either make your own dough or, if you want to follow the simple route, buy in some puff pastry. With an egg-and-cream-rich leek topping, this is indulgent and tasty.
Get your hands on a copy of A Good Egg here.
Tomato, Pesto and Goat’s Cheese Tart from The Little Book of Lunch by Caroline Craig and Sophie Missing
Make the most of summer tomatoes and pair them with goat's cheese and pesto on a buttery puff pastry base. Simple to make and perfect for taking to the park or for your office lunch.
Buy a copy of The Little Book of Lunch here.
Onion and Gruyère Tart from Annabel's Family Cookbook by Annabel Karmel
This classic tart contains a delicious mix of slowly caramelised onions and Gruyère cheese. Make your own Parmesan pastry with a food processor to keep it simple.
Get your copy of Annabel's Family Cookbook here.
Tomato Tarte Tatin from The Skinny French Kitchen by Harry Eastwood
You can make your own sun-dried tomatoes here or buy them ready-dried in this 4-ingredient tarte tatin recipe that's as simple as it is delicious.
Buy your copy of The Skinny French Kitchen here.