Food & Drink

Thousands of people are expected to travel to London over the next four days to pay their respects to the Queen and visit her lying in state at Westminster Abbey.

Many more are predicted to come out and watch the funeral procession on Monday September 19.

The UK Government is warning that wait times could be up to 30 hours, so for people planning on spending hours waiting, packing enough food to take will be essential to maintain energy and keep up morale.

Baker, cook and recipe creator, Lucy Lord has put together a ‘commemorative picnic fit for a Queen’, for people who are going to be travelling from all over the UK to celebrate the Queen’s life.

‘I’ve selected these recipes as they’re picnic-perfect recipes that use produce currently in season in the UK,’ Lucy tells Metro.co.uk.

‘All of these recipes can be made a day or so ahead and are fine to be kept out of the fridge for a few hours or afternoon, which saves having to worry about keeping food chilled. 

‘Most of these dishes are finger foods, making them great picnic and outside dining options.

‘And there is a nod to some British classics, including the Queen’s favourites; sausage rolls and the Victoria sponge.’

And if you aren’t venturing to the capital, you could still make up a commemorative picnic-style lunch to have at home as a way to mark the occasion.

The ultimate Victoria sponge cake 

This recipe can also be used to make cupcakes.

Queen Elizabeth II dead: Latest updates

  • What happens next following the death of the Queen?
  • How long are the queues to see the Queen lying in state in Westminster Hall likely to be?
  • Map shows how queue to see Queen’s coffin will snake through streets of London
  • Nationwide minute’s silence for The Queen at 8pm on Sunday

Follow Metro.co.uk’s live blog for the latest updates, and sign Metro.co.uk’s book of condolence to Her Majesty here.

Total time to make: 60 minutes (including time for sponge to cool)

Time to prepare: 10 minutes

Time to bake: 20 minutes

Servings: 12 slices

Ingredients:

Sponge:

  • 220g unsalted butter, room temperature (plus extra to grease)
  • 220g caster sugar
  • 4 eggs, room temperature
  • 220g self-raising flour
  • 1 1/2 tsp baking powder
  • 1/2 tsp salt
  • 1 tsp vanilla extract or paste
  • 2 tbsp milk
  • 6 heaped tbsp strawberry or raspberry jam

Buttercream:

  • 150g unsalted butter
  • 300g icing sugar, sieved
  • 1 tbsp milk
  • 1 tsp vanilla
  • Pinch of salt

To decorate (optional):

Strawberries, raspberries, blackberries, blueberries, mint sprigs

Method:

The buttercream:

Assembling: 

Halloumi salad

Total time to make: 40 minutes

Time to prep: 10 minutes

Time to roast: 30 minutes

Servings: Two as a main, four as a side

Ingredients:

  • 2 sweet potatoes, cut into wedges (skin on)
  • 1tbsp olive oil
  • 1tsp salt
  • 1/2 pack of halloumi (112g), cut into strips
  • 1/2 large avocado, sliced
  • 2 large handfuls of salad leaves, I used spinach and rocket
  • 30g pecans
  • Fresh herbs

Dressing:

  • 1tbsp olive oil
  • 1tbsp honey
  • 1tsp fresh thyme leaves
  • Juice of 1/2 lemon
  • Pinch of salt

Method:

Dressing:

Assembling: 

Herby roasted potato salad 

Total time to make: 50 minutes

Time to prep: 5 minutes

Time to roast: 45 minutes

Servings: 3 

Ingredients:

  • 900g new potatoes (or jersey royals)
  • 2 tbsp extra-virgin olive oil
  • Salt
  • 1 can (~390g) of cooked lentils
  • 250g spinach
  • A handful of parsley, leaves finely chopped
  • A handful of dill, leaves finely chopped

Dressing:

  • 2 tbsp extra-virgin olive oil
  • 1 tbsp honey
  • 1 tsp wholegrain mustard
  • Juice of 1/2 lemon
  • Salt and pepper

Method:

Tips:

  • Enjoy as a meal by itself or serve, still warm, with goat cheese on top or with a flaked salmon fillet.
  • Swap out the honey for maple syrup to make it vegan.

Pork, sage and wholegrain mustard sausage rolls 

Total time to make: 30 minutes

Time to prep: 10 minutes

Time to bake: 20 minutes

Servings: 24

Ingredients:

  • 2 x sheets all butter ready rolled puff pastry (Lucy used 2 x 215g)
  • 1 tbsp olive oil
  • 2 garlic cloves, finely chopped
  • 1 onion, finely diced
  • 200g streaky bacon (about 12 rashers), finely chopped
  • 450g minced pork or sausage meat
  • 60g panko breadcrumbs (or regular)
  • 1 egg
  • 2 tbsp wholegrain mustard
  • 2 tbsp sage, finely chopped (about 16 leaves)
  • 1/2 tsp salt
  • Black pepper
  • 1 egg, beaten (for egg wash)
  • Nigella seeds
  • Sage leaves (optional)

Method:

Chocolate cake

‘The Queen was well known to have a sweet tooth, and a chocolate cake was her go-to dessert,’ says Lucy.

Total time to make: 4 hours (including bake, ganache and cooling)

Time to prepare: 20 minutes

Time to bake: 1hr 15 minutes

Servings: 12 large slices

Ingredients:

  • 260g butter, room temperature
  • 200g good quality dark chocolate (I like Lindt 70%)
  • 250g caster sugar
  • 125ml freshly made coffee
  • 2 eggs
  • 2 tsp vanilla
  • 240g self-raising flour
  • 40g cocoa powder
  • 1 tsp salt
  • 225ml sour cream

Ganache:

  • 300g dark baking chocolate, very finely chopped
  • 300ml double cream 

Method:

The ganache:

Decorating:

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