For picnic hampers

Press, Volume CXIV, Issue 33424, 4 January 1974, Page 5

For picnic hampers

(By CELIA TIMMS) Most of us enjoy outdoor meals by the sea, on a river bank, or in some bush glade. The food seems to taste better. Though an elaborate picnic may mean a great deal [of preparation for the cook, lit can be done over several 'days and does, at least, give her freedom from chores on the day of the outing. So much culinary equipment is now available in the way of wrap- , pings and foil plates that the ! foods which can now be car- | ried safely have increased far beyond sandwiches. Here are the first of my suggestions for picnics during the summer holidays:— Picnic Chicken Picnic Chicken makes an 'appetising meal and may be i prepared a day or two before it is required. You will need: 1 fowl. 2 tablespoons salad oil. 1 tablespoon lemon juice. 1 teaspoon mixed herbs. I 4oz self-raising flour. i teaspoon salt. 1 egg. i cup milk. Oil or fat for frying. Kitchen foil. Method:— Boil the fowl in enough water to cover and add a few peppercorns, a bay leaf, a chopped onion and salt

I and cook gently until tender. J Remove the skin, then cool r enough to handle and cut r into serving pieces. Mix the ■J oil, lemon juice, and herbs e j and marinade the pieces of fowl in this for at least an • hour; then drain and dip each •jpiece in batter and fry in ' i deep, hot oil until golden ■.[brown. Drain on absorbent lj paper and wrap each piece in foil. To make; 1 [ the batter, sift flour and salt j ’ into basin, beat egg, add ’[milk and pour this gradually' ■into flour, blending until [ ’ I smooth. Leave to stand for -[an hour before using. j I Potato Balls J Parisian potato balls make .[a tasty accompaniment to [Picnic Chicken. Shape raw potato into balls with a teai spoon or melonscoop, if you 1 have one,, and fry in hot oil 5 or fat until well browned; -[then drain and toss in finely :[ chopped parsley. Carry in a [foil dish or plate. Sardine Balls Curried Sardine Balls provide something with a different flavour for the picnic hamper. This recipe makes about 12 balls. You will need: 1 4oz tin sardines. 1 dessertspoon sherry. I teaspoon curry powder. 3oz cream cheese. i Method.—Drain and mash 1 sardines and mix very r thoroughly with remaining : ingredients. Form into balls

•.[and roll in chopped chives Land chill.