Summer is back in the UK!  Hurrah!  We have had endless days of rain and chilly weather but now we have sunshine and warmth.  Perfect.

So if you are heading off somewhere either on a little road trip, a woody walk or a lakeside feast  I have the perfect make ahead picnic treat for you all sealed up in a jar.  Strange concept but once you’ve made it, you will want any excuse to remake it.

Salmon Picnic in a Jar (serves 4)

400g salmon fillet, cut into bite sized chunks

8 small new potatoes, scrubbed

1 small red onion, peeled and cut into thin slices and those slices halved.

2 spring onions, sliced thinly

handful of chopped fresh parsley

2 sprigs of fresh dill, chopped

2 fresh bay leaves

2 cloves

1 garlic clove, crushed

salt and pepper

Liquor:

1/3 cup cider vinegar (this “cooks” the salmon)

150g white sugar

1 cup water

Parboil the potatoes for about 10 minutes or so until just tender and cut into quarters or halves if very small.  In a clean kilner jar (or any large screw top jar will do) start layering the ingredients starting with the potatoes then salmon, onion, herbs and then a fine sprinkle of salt and pepper and continue layering until all used up.  Use less onion if you like.  I like it as it is but I understand this might not be first date food.

In a saucepan bring the vinegar, sugar and water to the boil and then pour over the layers until covered.  Seal and serve either a room temperature in about 15 minutes or so or chill and eat later.

Serve with very very cold Aquavit.  Skinny dip optional.