Recipe: Four Things Julia Busuttil Nishimura Pulls Together for Picnics

When the spring sun begins to shine and the days grow longer, I adore putting a few simple dishes together and heading down to my local park for a picnic with friends and family. It’s always a casual affair and while it does require a little thought and preparation, once you’re there, it always feels worth it.

I like to keep things pretty uncomplicated by choosing food that travels well and requires minimal crockery and cutlery. Picnicking is such a simple pleasure and in Melbourne there’s no shortage of great patches of green to stretch your legs, sip on some cold drinks and share some food.

My local is Edinburgh Gardens in North Fitzroy. It has everything you want in a park – great grass, plenty of trees and so many cute dogs. I pack some iced tea, cold beers and maybe a bottle of something fizzy. A stack of melamine plates, real cutlery wrapped in some linen (to use as napkins later) and a few cups, and you’re ready to picnic!

Smoked trout pate
This smoked trout