Picks for your picnic basket

This is the perfect time for packing up your picnic basket and heading outdoors. Supriya Kutty suggests picnic goodies that are a breeze to put together and are perfect for a spread away from home

Sun-Dried Tomato Pesto Pasta Salad with Chicken
A super easy, delicious and filling pasta salad that combines tangy tomatoes, creamy pine nuts and cheese with the lingering zest of basil

Ingredients
For Pesto:
1 cup sun-dried tomatoes (store bought)
1/4 cup chopped fresh basil or 1 tablespoon dried
2 tbsp pine nuts, toasted
1/2 cup Parmesan cheese grated
3 garlic cloves
3/4 cup olive oil

For Salad:
200g penne cooked and drained
11/2 cup cooked chicken, shredded
1/2 cup pimento stuffed olives sliced

Method
1. Blitz sun-dried tomatoes, basil, cheese, pine nuts and garlic in a blender. Keep it running and slowly pour in olive oil and blend into a smooth paste.
2. In a large bowl toss together pasta, olives and chicken with the pesto and store in an airtight container till ready to serve.

Spicy Sweet Potato
Healthy, spicy yet sweet, this simple dish is great with parathas and makes an unusual desi sandwich with pav and mint chutney

Ingredients
500g sweet potatoes, washed and diced into big pieces
1 tsp cumin seeds
1 tsp coriander seeds
1 tsp cloves
1 tsp fennel seeds
3 dry red chillies
2 tbsp oil
1 tsp dry mango powder
Salt
2 tbsp fresh coriander finely chopped

Method
1. Heat oil in a pan; add the potatoes and fry on medium-high flame till lightly browned. Reduce flame, cover and cook till potatoes are cooked (7-10 minutes).
2. While potatoes are cooking, dry roast whole spices and powder in a blender.
3. Season potatoes with salt and spice powder and cook uncovered on medium heat for 2 minutes till well combined.
4. Mix in the dry mango powder and chopped coriander, turn off the heat and cool before storing in an airtight container. Serve with pav slathered with mint chutney.

Apple Chutney and Cheese Sandwich
It’s as easy as apple pie! This healthy and absolutely divine sandwich is a great blend of contrasting flavours - sweet apples, tart and rich balsamic vinegar, juicy plump raisins, crunchy walnuts and subtle velvety cheese.

Ingredients
For Apple Chutney:
2 apples peeled and diced
1/2 cup soft brown sugar
1/3 cup raisins
1/4 cup coarsely chopped roasted walnuts
2 tbsp balsamic vinegar

For Sandwich:
10 slices multigrain bread
10 slices Cheddar or any other plain cheese

Method
1. Cook all chutney ingredients in a pan over medium-low heat for 15 minutes, stirring occasionally till apples are mushy and most of the water has evaporated. Add walnuts, remove from heat and let cool.
2. Spread bread slices with chutney, place a slice of cheese between two slices and wrap in cling film to prevent sandwiches from drying out.