With the weather warming up and the half term holidays approaching, we’re thinking picnics, days out and long restful afternoons in the sunshine.

It’s the perfect opportunity to get out your picnic hamper, pack up the car and head to the countryside for a few hours for some fresh air and relaxation.

For your hamper prepare a quick and easy smoked salmon salad, perfect for picnics and a great alternative to preparing endless rounds of sandwiches.

Plus you can adapt this recipe to suit your taste, taking out the spring onions if you prefer and adding in an alternative like cucumber or black olives. For the dressing you can substitute the garlic for wholegrain mustard.

Ingredients (Serves: 4)

For the salad
•    300g smoked salmon
•    300g mixed salad leaves
•    400g cherry tomatoes
•    2 handfuls chopped fresh dill
•    2 spring onions, chopped

For the dressing

•    4 tablespoons extra virgin olive oil
•    Half a garlic clove, crushed
•    2 tablespoons fresh lemon juice
•    Sea salt, to taste

Method

1. For the salad. Line a bowl or plate with salad leaves and place the tomatoes on top followed by the spring onion. Tear the smoked salmon into small pieces and arrange on top. Sprinkle over the dill.

2. For the dressing. Simply whisk the garlic, olive oil, lemon juice and seasoning in a jug until combined.