How to fill three days with one picnic!

I hope you are all managing to survive the Easter holidays and haven't heard the 'b' word too much? It amazes me, that with everything there is to do for children, they still manage to get bored. I can help you get three days out of the way, and for free! What child doesn't love a picnic? There's nothing better than packing a lunch and eating outside, even if it's just in the garden. Don't make the mistake of buying everything. I will give you some recipes for a few picnic items, that are not only cheap, but really delicious. Day one can be for making the food together with the children, they love getting involved in the kitchen, and it really is teaching them good skills for when they are older. When you go for the picnic, the next day, you could do a scavenger hunt. Make them a list each with things to find, this is not only fun, but will help you gather the things you need for the third day's activity, nature art. Using all the things you found create a masterpiece together and then pour yourself a large glass of wine, you deserve it!

Cheese and onion pasties:

Block of puff pastry 2 potatoes Small onion 100g cheese grated Peel and chop potatoes into chunks and boil until soft enough for a fork to stick in them with no effort. Mash with a splash of milk. Add cheese and onion and mix together, leave to stand until cool. Roll out pastry, not too thick as it puffs up, and cut into squares, rectangles, circles, whatever you fancy there are no rules. Spoon a dollop of mixture in the middle of your shape and fold over the pastry to create your pasty shape. Squash the edges with your fingers or a fork If you want golden pasties beat an egg and brush the tops, poke a couple of air holes and bake on 180 for 20 mins or until nice and golden.

Banana Bread/ muffins 3 over ripe bananas 200g plain flour Tsp bicarbinate of soda Half tsp baking powder 100g sugar One beaten egg 75g melted butter

Preheat oven to 180. Sift flour, baking powder and bicarb together. Mash the bananas and mix with egg, butter and sugar. Fold flour into the banana mix and pour into a greased 23cm loaf tin or alternatively 12-16 muffin cases. Bake for 30-40 mins until you insert a skewer and it comes out clean.

Chocolate flapjack: 250g porridge oats 125g melted butter 125g brown sugar 3 tbsp golden syrup Chocolate for top (I used leftover Easter eggs) Preheat oven to 180. Mix all ingredients together, except the chocolate, in a bowl and transfer into oven proof dish. Bake in the oven for 15-20 mins until golden. Break the chocolate into pieces and scatter on top while still hot After a few minutes spread it round with the back of a spoon until even. Refrigerate until set.

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