12 must-try picky bits for summer
12 must-try picky bits for summer
Picky bits season is here, hurrah! It’s a magical time of year, when crisps and dips in the garden pass for dinner. Primed for picnics or impromptu “can you grab some olives?” hosting, these are the most delicious bits to add to your hamper.
Waitrose Smoky Scamorza Cheese Arancini
This Sicilian street food is designed to be eaten alfresco – stuffed with smoky scamorza cheese and coated in crunchy breadcrumbs, these morsels bring a bit of la dolce vita to your platter.
No.1 Black Garlic Chorizo with Wildflower Honey
Bring a bit of tapas bar flair to your spread with these plump little black garlic-infused chorizo sausages, doused in wildflower honey for a smoky-sweet hit. ‘Picky bits’ is another term for ‘British tapas’ after all.
No.1 Labneh Tzatziki Sharing Dip
This riff on a cooling Greek mezze favourite swaps yogurt for labneh, its more cheese-like cousin. Swirled with dill and topped with cucumber, semi-dried tomatoes and mint, crispy pitta chips are almost mandatory with this one.
No.1 Houmous with Roasted Butternut & Dukkah
A summer spread without houmous isn’t one we’re interested in entertaining, frankly. And this Moroccan-inspired number levels up our beloved chickpea dip with a spiced butternut squash, pumpkin seed and pine nut topping. Get scooping.
Ottolenghi Pickled Carrot & Kohlrabi Slaw
Goodbye, soggy slaws of the past – this tangy carrot and kohlrabi pickle mix is a funky, fermented friend to any picky dinner, whether used to perk up your BBQ, or taken straight from the tub.
No.1 Burrata with Aubergine Caponata
A better Italian love affair than even Rossellini could’ve written, this dynamic duo combines cool, creamy Puglian burrata with caponata, a sweet and sour Sicilian medley of aubergines, tomatoes, olives and raisins.
Waitrose Thai Green Chicken Meatballs
Look beyond the continent in your picnic platter selection with these Thai-inspired chicken meatballs. Flavoured with lemongrass, coriander, galangal and spring onion, they bring some zesty zhuzh to the spread.
Waitrose Coronation Chicken Pastries
A British gastronomic classic is transformed into individual parcels with these hand-folded pastries. Inside the golden exterior, a creamy curried sauce mingles with dried fruit and coriander – one for ‘swavoury’ flavour lovers.
Waitrose Garlic & Chilli King Prawns
The easiest way to inject the seaside into your spread, these juicy king prawns are tumbled in a garlic and chilli marinade, ready to add a touch of spice to your gathering, wherever you are.
Ottolenghi Pomegranate Harissa Olives
The flavour guy’s back at it, and this time he’s upgrading your olive-and-a-drink hour by mixing up Kalamata and Halkidiki olives with a fragrant pomegranate, preserved lemon and rose harissa dressing.
No.1 Feta & Ezme Stuffed Falafel with Zhoug
These falafel are a departure from your usual chickpea number. Stuffed with creamy feta and a chilli tomato and red pepper sauce, they’re ready and waiting to be piled into warm pitta.
Waitrose Italian Style Aperitivo Selection
The Italians have done a number of wonderful things for our cocktail hour, and this snack selection is a homage to the best bits, not to mention a fine pairing for tinnies in the park.
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