[vc_row][vc_column][vc_column_text]Farming at Swillington we can’t help but wonder what it would have been like eating al-fresco in the 18th century on the meticulously manicured lawns of Swillington Hall – now home to our grass fed cows!There are still tantalising glimpses around the farm which hint at the produce guests at the country house would have enjoyed; from the shadows of the plentiful greenhouses along the Garden walls that would have helped grow peaches and melons to the spherical ice house on the edge of the pond where ice would have been collected and stored each winter to make summer ices and sorbets.The Great British picnic has never really gone out of fashion but shop bought snacks just don’t do justice to dining in the great outdoors. Picnics don’t have to consist of wilted ham sandwiches and shop bought scotch eggs, and sometimes it’s nice to pull out all the stops and make something that little bit more special. [/vc_column_text][vc_single_image image="602" img_size="full"][vc_column_text]Good ingredients go a long way, and with a tiny bit of planning you could be ditching the soggy sausage rolls and tucking into something delicious. Nigella has lots of simple ideas to make your picnic tasty and unique.[/vc_column_text][vc_row_inner][vc_column_inner width="1/2"][vc_column_text]

Why not try:

• Beef skewers with horseradish dip – this recipe uses rump steak, she also suggests a lamb alternative using cubed leg
• Mini-meatloaves - using pork and beef mince
• Lamb Ribs with nigella and cumin seeds – lamb ribs are the lamb breast that has been sliced and chopped into small ribs
• Crispy Lamb Chops – breaded and baked, perfect finger food

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Or you could try these other ideas for perfect picnic food:

• Southern fried chicken – chicken drumsticks, thighs or breast fillets coated in seasoned bread crumbs then baked in the oven
• BBQ ribs – marinaded and baked or griddled
• Scotch eggs – make your own using plain or flavoured sausage meat and (if you’re on a local delivery route) a fresh farm egg

[/vc_column_text][/vc_column_inner][/vc_row_inner][vc_column_text]But if ham sandwiches are what you really like, why not make them from a Rare Breed Swillington Dry-Cured Gammon Joint!We can supply you with just about anything you need, expertly butchered by Simon to your specification. Just choose your recipes and let us know what meat you’ll need – we can arrange it to be delivered in your Meat Box or picked up from the farm shop. Not signed up for a Meat Box yet? Choose yours now in 3 easy steps.[/vc_column_text][/vc_column][/vc_row]