Picnic

Alexa Johnston bakes a dainty afternoon tea.

This hazelnut ripple log by recipes+ is drenched in marsala laced juice and smothered in rich cream dotted with cherries. Shaved chocolate adds extra decadence, texture and richness.

Rich in both flavour and texture and delicious hot or cold, enjoy this quiche with a side salad. For a milder version, substitite the greens with English spinach.

What could possibly be more Australian than this beer damper? You'll be surprised at the subtle yet delicious flavour your best ale will create in this traditional bread.

If you like, make an icing by combining 2 cups icing sugar sifted with 2 tablespoons cocoa. Mix in 30g chopped butter and 1-2 tablespoons hot water. Stir until smooth. Note

This colourful loaf is stuffed full of bright and healthy Mediterranean vegetables and makes a delicious change from the usual sandwiches.

This delicious vegetarian quiche is packed full of flavour from the salty haloumi, hearty eggplant and divine golden crust. Cut yourself a slice and enjoy warm or cool.

You’ll need 1 1/2 packets of biscuits for the base. The filling will keep cooking after the oven is turned off, so it should be just set in the centre, with a slight wobble. Note

Zucchini can be replaced with mashed banana if preferred. Note

These pretty little tomato and rocket tarts are a great vegetarian option for a platter of finger food. Rocket can be replaced with baby spinach. Add some baby basil leaves just before serving, if you like.

You can have a batch of these delicious scones on the table in around 20 minutes. Serve them warm with jam and cream for morning or afternoon tea.

Really ripe tomatoes and crisp, salty prosciutto make this pasta salad a sensational dish. Store tomatoes at room temperature, rather than in the fridge, which will alter the texture and spoil the flavour. To accelerate ripening, place in a paper bag with a ripe banana.

Rev up lunchboxes for the start of the new school year with these berry and yoghurt muffins.

Why choose between cake and lollies when you can have both in one handy slice?

This smoked salmon pate is delicious and ridiculously easy to prepare. Enhance your presentation by experimenting with pretty moulds and serve with a selection of crackers or vegetable sticks.

Making your own crackers may seem like a lot of effort for something that can be easily be bought from the supermarket, but just one bite of these tomato basil crackers and you'll be convinced it's totally worth it.

This delicious tuna dip is versatile enough to be a healthy quick and easy after school snack or part of your next cocktail party repertoire. Serve with tortilla chips or sticks of carrot, cucumber and celery.

Caperberries, although from the same plant, are quite different to capers. Don't be tempted to omit them. Scattered over this rustic ham, mustard and parsley terrine, they add a delightful piquancy to this dish.

These delightful beef and mushroom pies are the ultimate comfort food.

Pork pie is a classic British dish made with hot water pastry that is traditionally eaten cold. This makes it perfect for picnics or even as a quick snack snatched from the fridge while you're on the go.

Forget about perfect presentation with these tasty little spinach and ricotta free-form pies because rustic is the order of the day. Dispense with cutlery and enjoy them hot from the oven, or cold as part of your next picnic.

These quick savoury muffins are perfect for morning tea or a picnic. If you want to spice them up a little, add a teaspoon of dried chilli flakes.

These exquisite quiches are great for picnics, platters or simply as a snack.

You need to buy a 1.5kg piece of watermelon to get the amount of chopped watermelon needed for this recipe. Note

Originating in Scotland, shortbread has become very popular in many parts of the globe and is now eaten all year. Enjoy the crumbly, golden biscuit with a mug of your favourite brew.

Succulent figs add interest, depth and flavour to this deliciously easy chocolate caramel slice.

This potato, onion and herb pie makes a nice change from more meatier versions. It is delicious either hot or cold.

You need to soak eight bamboo skewers in cold water for at least an hour before use to prevent them from splintering or burning during cooking. Note

Serve this beautiful green quiche with salad for a light lunch or dinner.

Serve this crusty damper at a picnic with your favourite cheeses, butter and figs.

The classic combination of sweet chocolate and crunchy hazelnuts works perfectly together in this divine cake. Topped with an oozy chocolate ganache, this is indulgence at it's finest.

Recipe can be prepared a day ahead. Add the dressing up to three hours before serving. Note

Classic pavlova is usually topped with mixed berries and passionfruit pulp. We've opted for a mix of berries here, but if you prefer you can use kiwifruit, thinly sliced pineapple, pawpaw and passionfruit pulp.

You will need about six passionfruit to make this recipe. The thin-skinned purple-black variety will yield much more pulp than the thicker-skinned Panama passionfruit. Note

This recipe is a great way to use up leftover sausages, sausages can be served hot or cold. Note

The frangipane flower and this frangipane tart have absolutely nothing to do with each other, despite the name. Although both look absolutely stunning and will fill your house with the most delightful aroma.

Chermoula is often made of a mixture of herbs, oil, lemon juice, pickled lemons, garlic, cumin, and salt. It is wonderful with pulled pork.

You need to start the recipe the day before. Note

You could add white rum to this delicious passionfruit sparkler to make a refreshing party punch if you like.

You can use 1 teaspoon of worcestershire sauce instead of the anchovy fillets. This salad is a great way to use up leftover roast chicken. Shred the chicken and add to the salad instead of the poached chicken breasts. Note

Moist date muffins with orange syrup from Australian Women's Weekly.

The apples can be cooked ahead of time and left in the pan, covered, in the fridge. The tarte tatin can be finished and transported in the pan if you’re picnicking – simply reheat on the barbecue or fire before turning out and serving warm.

Sweet beetroot contrasts beautifully with sharp, salty feta and bitter leaves in this delicious salad. Perfect as a light lunch, or a side dish.

There's nothing more authentically Australian than serving up a classic pavlova, laden with cream and fruit, at the end of a summer's day barbecue.

Quail can be bought already boned, but with the bones remaining in the legs and wings. Ask the butcher or poultry shop to remove any remaining bones for you, if you like. We’ve chosen to leave all the bones intact in the recipe. Quail can be prepared for cooking a day ahead of the picnic, […]

If tapioca pearls are unavailable, make the golf balls from fondant by rolling into small balls. Note

Drumettes are the meaty end of the chicken wing. If they are not on display in your supermarket or chicken shop you can ask for them to be prepared specially for you. Note

You will have about 1 cup of the cake mixture left over. Note

dairy-free egg-free Note

These tasty rice cakes are easy to whip up and perfect to take on a picnic.

These make a delicious and fresh addition to any share plate that everyone will love. Lobster or prawn meat can be substituted for the crab, if desired.

Cherry tomatoes can be substituted for grape tomatoes. Note

Rich and decadent, you'll only need a small square of this lovely fudge to satisfy the sweetest of cravings. Enjoy with your afternoon cuppa.

This coconut noodle salad would be an excellent accompaniment to poached salmon.

Whip up a pitcher of delicious lemon iced tea for a refreshingly sweet beverage as the weather warms up.

This dipis quick, delicious and dead easy to make. Spread it on crostini and call it a pâté, or serve it with crispy vegetable sticks and have it ready for hungry kids as they burst in from school.

Perfect served hot or cold, this crustless salmon and herb quiche is just the ticket when you're after a light lunch. Serve with a green salad.

For a real chocolate rush, try this rich cake with warm sauce.

Delight your guests with these crisp sheets of freshly made, herbed flat bread.