Cooks with the zeal of Hugo Arnold may transform outdoor eating into feasts, but sometimes the urge to picnic can creep up quickly - and you simply want to jump in the car go with the minimum of fuss.
Which means, that you're looking for sandwiches which are quickly prepared, satisfying, punchy and flavoursome.
Smoked cheese is best-suited to sandwiches, in which guise it gives masses of flavour, and also marries well with the sharp, rough-cut flavours of good chutneys. Smoked Abbey Blue Brie is also a good sandwich cheese, and if you can find some smoked Ardrahan it is among the best. The cheese also goes well with the flavour of sourdough and rye bread.
But pitta breads may be the best picnic sandwiches, for they can hold a variety of fillings, kids love them, and you can use whatever is to hand.
Hugo Arnold stuffs a pouch of pitta with marinated feta, tomatoes, salted and drained cucumber and parsley, but almost anything will work, so consider using: left-over beef chopped finely and dressed with mustard, sour cream and a few gherkins and shredded salad leaves; smoked trout with a drizzle of green pesto, mayonnaise and rocket; grilled aubergine slices and grilled peppers, brushed with olive oil, with spring onion, tomato and a couple of anchovies; and leftover Puy lentils with mint, diced red peppers and goat's cheese.
If there is time to spare, throw together this nice idea from Indian cookery which Claudia Roden quotes in her book, Picnic:
Spicy potato pittas
1/2 onion 2 boiled, mashed potatoes Coriander or parsley leaves Lemon juice 1/4 teaspoon paprika Pinch each of cayenne, ground ginger Teaspoon of crushed coriander, fennel or aniseed 1/2 teaspoon garam masala Salt Pitta bread
Finely chop the onion, then fry. Mix with potatoes (I would smash them with a fork, rather than mash them). Add a few chopped coriander leaves or parsley; a squeeze of lemon juice; paprika; cayenne; ground ginger; crushed coriander, fennel or aniseed; and garam masala. Add salt to taste and stir well. Serve this stuffed into warmed pittas, wrapped tightly in foil and bring lots of cold beer.