As the New Year 2026 approaches, the simple pleasure of a picnic in a lush green park offers a perfect escape. Celebrity chef Sanjeev Kapoor believes that the best picnic food is simple, thoughtful, easy to carry, and made with love. In a recent guide, he shared six comforting and easy-to-make snacks ideal for packing and enjoying with family and friends under the open sky.
Sanjeev Kapoor's Philosophy for the Perfect Picnic Basket
For Chef Kapoor, a picnic is more than just a meal outdoors; it's a form of therapy. It's a chance to pause, breathe, and reconnect with nature away from artificial lights and enclosed spaces. The joy, he notes, lies in the entire process—from preparing and packing the food to finally plating it in a garden. His selected recipes, shared on December 30, 2025, embody this spirit, focusing on dishes that are delightful to eat and practical to transport.
1. Herbed Paneer Sandwich
This vegetarian delight is a flavourful twist on the classic sandwich. The recipe calls for 200 grams of paneer mixed with fresh mint, coriander, lemon juice, and fried garlic. The herbed paneer mixture is layered between brown bread slices with butter, sauce, lettuce, tomato, onion, cucumber, and cheese. Once assembled, the sandwich is wrapped tightly in parchment paper and refrigerated for an hour to let the flavours meld, making it perfect for travel.
2. Chicken Salami Sandwich
A protein-packed option, this sandwich combines regular and spicy chicken salami. It is built on white bread slices spread with butter, mayonnaise, and Pommery mustard. Layers of rocket lettuce, cheese slices, onion rings, and micro greens add crunch and freshness. Like the paneer sandwich, it is wrapped and chilled for an hour before serving, ensuring it holds together well.
3. Corn Potato Tikki
These grilled tikkis are a fantastic savory snack. Made from a mix of boiled corn kernels and potatoes, they are spiced with green chillies, garam masala, and coriander leaves. Shaped into patties and grilled on a non-stick pan with minimal oil, they are served hot with tomato ketchup or chilli sauce, offering a satisfying crunch.
4. Khaman Dhokla
This classic Gujarati steamed snack is an excellent light and fluffy addition to a picnic basket. The batter, made from gram flour, yogurt, and ginger-green chilli paste, is raised with fruit salt and steamed. The signature tempering of mustard seeds, sesame, curry leaves, and green chillies poured over the dhokla adds a burst of flavour. It's best enjoyed fresh with mint and coriander chutney.
5. Kurmura Energy Bars
For a sweet treat, Chef Kapoor recommends these homemade energy bars. They are made by binding puffed rice (kurmura) and roasted peanuts with a mixture of melted jaggery, ghee, and peanut butter. Once set and cut into bars, they are partially dipped in melted dark chocolate and garnished with walnuts and sea salt. These bars are not only delicious but also provide a quick energy boost.
6. Aloo Paratha
No Indian outdoor meal is complete without parathas. This recipe involves stuffing a spiced mixture of boiled potatoes, ginger, green chillies, and coriander into whole wheat dough. The parathas are then cooked on a tawa with ghee until golden brown. Packed hot with a side of yogurt and pickle, they remain a timeless picnic favourite.
Packing the Perfect Picnic Experience
Chef Sanjeev Kapoor's guide emphasizes that success lies in planning. All the sandwiches benefit from being wrapped and refrigerated, which makes them sturdy and flavourful. Items like the tikkis and parathas travel well in insulated containers. The key takeaway is to choose recipes that are robust, easy to eat outdoors, and bring joy to both the maker and the eater. This New Year, step out with a basket filled with these homemade delights for an unforgettable alfresco dining experience.
