Picnic Loaf

I fill mine with homemade pesto, mayo, spinach, tomatoes, mozzarella, chorizo, chargrilled chicken and crispy streaky bacon...

My recipe allows you to be as creative as you like, using whatever ingredients you prefer, and it makes a delicious alternative to sandwiches. Let me know what’s your family’s favourite!!

Ingredients:

400g farmhouse tin loaf

3-4 tbsps. of homemade pesto (or use your favourite shop bought pesto)

3-4 tbsps. mayonnaise

2 chicken breasts

Spinach

1 beef tomato, sliced

Sliced Chorizo

6 slices streaky bacon

2 balls of mozzarella

Method:

1. Prepare the day before your picnic.

2. Slice the chicken breast and season well, cook in a griddle pan for 2-3 minutes each side until cooked through and slight browned.

3. Add the bacon to a cold frying pan, then increase the heat to medium-high, cook until browned and crispy.

4. Cut the top off the loaf and hollow out the middle, you can blitz and freeze the removed bread to use as breadcrumbs for future recipes.

5. Combine the mayonnaise and pesto, spoon a generous layer all over the inside of the loaf, don’t forget the bottom of the lid.

6. Start layer the ingredients, seasoning each layer lightly: spinach, chorizo, mozzarella, tomatoes, spinach, bacon, chicken, chorizo, mozzarella, tomatoes, and finally spinach.

7. Put the lid back onto the loaf, wrap the loaf in greaseproof paper, then put a heavy book on the top and put in the fridge overnight.