Old Roses, Summer Berries & a Teddy Bear’s Picnic. For my teddy bear’s picnic just in time for National Picnic Week, I’m sharing a flavoured butter recipe for all of your summer picnic sandwiches!

Image: National Picnic Week

National Picnic Week

21-30 June 2019

For June I was going to share another British berry recipe, as June is the start of the raspberry and strawberry season, and, as well as eating them straight from the plant I love to bake with them too. However, the rather inclement, wet summer we’ve all been experiencing has meant that my strawberries are still sulking and my raspberries are ONLY just coming in now. So, I have decided to take you all on a virtual tour of my rose garden with a teddy bear’s picnic at the end of it, just for fun. I have also added a few delectable “British berry” recipes, ones that I make every year, as well as some I have discovered and have bookmarked to make.

But first, some berry recipes – these are recipes that I make every year and are warmly received on the tea time table. We grow our own strawberries, raspberries, gooseberries and currants, and once the initial pleasure of eating them straight from the plant, cane or bush has waned, I can be found in the kitchen baking up a storm, as well as preserving the bountiful harvest. Top tea time favourites are Raspberry Fairy Cakes, Raspberry Cheesecake Muffins, “Whim Wham” – A Scottish Regency Trifle and Traditional 18th Century Raspberry Creams. However, whilst perusing some of Sarah Raven’s Seasonal recipes, I have bookmarked her Frosted redcurrants with Chantilly cream & Almond meringues and Strawberry and basil ice cream to make as soon as my fruit is ready.

Whereas all of my soft fruits are a trifle tardy this year, my roses are magnificent and all of my old-fashioned shrub roses are in full bloom, imparting beauty and fragrance around the garden. The climbing roses along the back of the old schoolhouse wall are so full of blooms that are bowing under the weight, and every time there is the slightest zephyr of a breeze, the dining hall floor is magically transformed into a rose petal strewn indoor- garden. I have been making rose jam, rose sugar and rose liqueur, as well as crystallising them for cakes and bakes. As well as preserving my delicate rose confetti for future delectation, I have also scattered little glass yogurt jars full of scented blooms all over the house.

But, I DID promise you a teddy bear’s picnic, and a picnic you shall have. We shall take jammy biscuits, lots of fizzy pop, cakes, a flask of tea and of course some sandwiches. A tartan rug and a wicker picnic hamper are also essential and a selection of teddy bears is top of the list, with my old bear Winston (b.1958) being the king of the teddy bear pack. When it comes to sandwiches I love a classic, so cucumber, egg and cress and ham are top of my list; but, I also love a good coronation chicken sarnie, as well as a lovely open sandwich with edible flowers: Apricot, Cream Cheese & Flower Tartines. And, who can resist a beautifully made Pan Bagnat, that most surprising of French sandwiches which is basically a stuffed Boule (round French loaf) filled with assorted meats, cheese and vegetables.

So, for my teddy bear’s picnic, I would like to share a flavoured butter recipe for your summer picnic sandwiches; a simple and yet herb scented butter which is perfect for all of your sarnies, whether they be classic or adventurous – Basil & Sea Salt Sandwich Butter. This recipe makes good use of the summer basil that you often have, there is only so much pesto you can make, as well as being perfect for basting meat, fish and vegetables on the barbecue. It goes well with cheese, ham, cold cuts, egg, salad leaves and in particular tomatoes. I make mine with a lovely Anglesey sea salted butter, but, in the absence of sea salted butter you can add your own of course. I hope that the summer will bring you much lemonade with sandwiches and teddy bear’s picnic days – I will see you later this week with more recipes, reviews and travel stories. Karen 

What is National Picnic Week?

National Picnic Week aims to encourage people to take the ideal opportunity to get together over a picnic with advice, tips, recipes and information to make sure you have everything from the food and drink to the location or surroundings. Picnicking is one of the UK’s most enjoyable summer traditions, and is a great way of taking advantage of any open spaces in your local area over the warmer months of the year.

History

Since National Picnic Week was founded a decade ago, it has grown significantly and become a staple date in the media calendar. Timed at the peak of picnicking season, broadcasters, radio and television channels are keen to get involved.

More Picnic Recipes:

Get Summer Started with a Picnic in your Garden with Lots of Picnic Recipes

 My TOP Picnic Recipes

Zuri’s South African Picnic Bread