Thursday, January 24, 2013

beach fare


Its summertime here in Australia and for most of us that means sunny days at the beach. My family and I are lucky enough to live a short stroll to our favorite patch of sand and sea. These school holidays we have spent every possible moment swimming, building sandcastles, playing beach cricket, stretching out on beach towels and talking with friends. Of course packing a delicious, nourishing picnic is essential as packing the sunscreen and hats.

When I've looked around this summer at what others are bringing to the beach to eat (I'm always curious!) much of it is processed and packaged foods - chips, savoury biscuits, pretzels, muesli bars. And then when the sun starts to lower in the sky signalling dinnertime, parcels of fish and chips, pizza or a bbq of sausages served in white bread with tomato sauce seem to be the popular choices. I write this as curious observation not as a judgement about what other people eat, we've eaten fish and chips on the beach too this summer but looking at things from a social health point of view the majority of people living in Australia and many other developed countries would benefit from eating more fresh fruit and vegetables.

So I thought I'd write this post and invite you to share what you like to take to the beach for snacks or meals.

For snacks my staples are fresh fruit and rice crackers with home made dips, sometimes some veggie sticks and cherry tomatoes from the garden.

For dinner, pesto pasta salad, homemade nori rolls or flat bread wraps with avocado, fetta or goats cheese and salad with roast chicken or boiled eggs.

Jay tells me, "I love taking a quiche, tart or pie to the beach/river or a whole lot of delicious things to wrap: roasted veggies, haloumi, feta, greens, chilli, caramelised onions. Yum! And fruit for dessert.
We always have fruit and nuts on hand for snacks."

And now its over to you, what ideas do you have for beach snacks and meals?

10 comments:

  1. I'm all for fish and chips every now and then (and must admit to also being guilty for giving olive the occasional sausage in white bread and sauce .... only ever supplied by others, though!) But processed, packaged snack food for kids - really, I just think that's inexcusable. Whatever happened to just cutting open a watermelon? Kellie xx

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    1. I love your voice of reason Kellie. yep whatever happened to cutting open a watermelon! Hope you've had a great long weekend xx

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  2. I loved reading this post. As i was reading i thought back to my childhood and my mum's packed esky of freshly cooked bacon and egg pie, fresh salady sticks, and tonnes of fresh fruit. Come to think of it now...i still crave the same thing when i go to the beach with my little boy and husband. The only difference is the influence from a variety of cultures on the food i prepare and bring along. Happy memories - thank you! Mary xx

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    1. Mary that is such a beautiful memory picture you painted - not to mention a delicious one! Interesting you mention the influence of culture on food because I do notice that families from other cultures are more likely to eat their own traditional foods at a picnic or the beach than reverting to packaged or fast food. thanks for your comment xx

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  3. Yes watermelon. Do you remember when boats used to rock up to some beaches...in Sydney Balmoral... and serve fresh cold slices of watermelon. Yum! Of course they also sold ice-cream ;)

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    1. Being a Melbourne gal I don't remember that happening anywhere on Victorian beaches but it sounds like a great idea! I was in Mexico a long time ago and there were always people walking up and down the beaches selling beautiful cold fresh fruit. It is so perfect on a hot day x

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  4. Hi Nikki. We have been loving these Spinach, Feta and Pine Nut triangles. If I bake them before we head to the surf, they are perfect kid temperature when they are hungry...and they can hold them in one hand without the triangle falling apart! http://www.transitionfarm.com/index.php/2012/10/28/spinach-and-feta-triangles/ xx Robin

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    1. Thanks for this Robin I will be making these xx

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  5. Hi Nikki

    We have been having a few picnics of late and frittata is always a firm favourite as is watermelon! Everyone has their own version and I was inspired by your post to blog about mine! Great for lunch boxes as well.
    X

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    1. Thanks Mel for sharing this...you are welcome to put a link to your version of fritatta. Hope you've had a great long weekend x

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Thanks for your comments. I read every one!

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