In mid May, I was lucky enough to be invited on a two day trip to South Devon and the Riverford Farm near Buckfastleigh.

One of the many highlights of this trip was a surprise outdoor 'snack' that we ate on the edge of a woodland full of wild garlic.
We were served a Triple Garlic Frittata ('regular' garlic, wet/new season garlic and wild garlic) that we contributed to (in a very small way) by picking some wild garlic leaves ourselves.

The recipe appears in Riverford's latest book - Everyday & Sunday recipes from Riverford Farm - but I can't help but think that so much of the joy that came from eating that dish was provided by the setting. We sat on the grass, looking down over the rolling fields of the farm, eating food that was growing all around us. Cooking and eating outside is so much fun and although it may need more planning, it's so rewarding.

It brings a set of challenges that catering for an indoor meal doesn't. Not only do you need to consider the portability of the food you're serving, but I think that a lot of flavours can't stand up to the Great Outdoors. You need punchy, strong flavours when you eat in the fresh air. The Triple Garlic Frittata worked very well, as would many of the others in this book. There's a salad of New Potatoes with Crab, Chilli, Parsley and Lemon that would surely be best eaten by the water? Or a Beetroot, Smoked Trout and Toasted Buckwheat dish that would be great for a slightly more formal garden party setting. The recipe for Acqua e Sale (Water and Salt) really caught my eye. It's a delicious sounding summer salad using seasoned tomatoes, onion, cucumber, herbs and olive oil and mixed with cubed day old bread that has been sprinkled with water just before serving. How fab would that be for a picnic? One Tupperware box full of the salad mix, a bag of stale bread broken into cubes and half a glass of water. You could combine and serve the dish just before serving, and wouldn't need any other utensils or chopping boards or garnishes. Perfect. 

The book is divided into months and as the title suggests, into 'Everyday' and 'Sunday' (or more 'indulgent' days). It explains what fruits and vegetables are in season when and the best ways to use them. There's a brilliant mixture of recipes including some of Jane Baxter's awesome cakes. At Riverford's restaurant, The Field Kitchen, pudding is served as a buffet - about ten different stunning cakes and puddings to choose from, along with custard, cream and goodness know what else. It really is a sight to behold.

The Rhubarb and Cinnamon Cake in the book uses a whole pot of creme fraiche and is one of the most delicious cakes I've ever baked (and one of the worst photographs - apologies). Too 'puddingy' for the the cafe perhaps, but we ate it with my best mate and her new husband on a rainy afternoon while we played Scrabble, accompanied by endless cups of tea. And extra creme fraiche.

So, competition time! The guys at Riverford very kindly gave Dan and I a copy of the book each and so I thought we'd keep one and I'd give one away to one of you lot!

So, for your chance to win A SIGNED COPY OF Everyday & Sunday recipes from Riverford Farm (RRP £18.99), tell me what your favourite Summer picnic/outdoor dish is.

Nobody is going to win for suggesting Pringles and a pot of hummous from the corner shop, so get your thinking hats on. Cakes that travel well, Salads that don't wilt, tarts that don't go soggy... You get the idea.

I can't wait to hear your ideas - Good Luck!

*small print*

- Competition ends 6pm on Wednesday 15th June 2011

- This competition is only open to Mainland UK, Channel Islands and Isle of Man entries as I am posting the book myself and am a cheapskate

- Leave your Twitter name or e-mail address please so I can contact you

- Ideas must be your own and not simply a link to another website with a 'I like this one....' comment, OK?

*small print ends*