Picnicing in Brockwell Park

This weekend I added another two spots to the list of places I love about London – Portabello Market and Brockwell Park.

I felt the need to venture out of my “park comfort zone” and picnic in a park other than Hyde Park, St James’s or Regents Park.

Brockwell Park

So Friday evening, I packed a picnic and took the Boy to Brockwell Park for a romantic evening at dusk.

Brockwell Park is a beautiful and vibrant park, sandwiched between Dulwich, Stretham and Brixton.

Smoked mackerel pate - a healthy dip

Last Thursday me and the family had planned a BBQ get together at my nans in the Garden of England, aka Kent.

Although, nonstop rain and grey skies meant we had to do the stereotypical British thing of nominating someone to stand outside with the brolly whilst blackening the meat.

Then we ate indoors in the living room.

delicious and creamy

To accompany the BBQ meats, we had a delicious selection of homemade sides and salads, from guacamole to cous cous.

I went a bit different this with my contribution though and went for smoked mackerel pate.

A lover of any food sourced from the sea, I love fish and love smoked mackerel. When I was aimlessly wandering through the aisles in Sainsbury’s one day, I came across a pot of smoked mackerel pate in the chilled section. Intrigued, I took to google and found that there was no need to buy a pot. It’s soooo easy to make, with simple every day ingredients that you most likely will have in the fridge.

something a little different for a BBQ buffet

Ingredients

3-4 smoked mackerel fillets (take the skin off)

200 g low fat cream cheese

2 tablespoons of natural low fat yoghurt

Juice and zest of one large lemon (unwaxed)

Half a red onion, finely chopped (optional) 

One teaspoon of Dijon mustard (or even wholegrain)

simple ingredients for a fresh flavour 

Skin the mackerel and pop into the food processor. Blend until a course pate consistency. If you don't have a food processor, use a good old fashioned wooden spoon and arm muscle, which in all honesty is just as easy

In a bowl, mix the blended mackerel with the cream cheese, yoghurt, mustard, lemon juice and onion

this is so easy to make!

Season. Serve. Enjoy 

Making it yourself too means you can cut the addictive crap, the flavouring and preservatives. Sea food has a multitude of health benefits and mackerel is no different. Mackerel is wonderfood of health benefits, including a brilliant source of protein and fatty acid omega-3, which can help to protect the heart. 

So this mackerel pate is low fat, tasty and a great healthy snack all round.

I served with these morish crostinis, a bit like a giant crouton type bread thing and baked pittas chips. Delicious.

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