There’s something so satisfying about a dinner made up of lots of little things. Whether it’s a spontaneous fridge-raid supper, a relaxed spread with friends, or a cosy evening on the sofa, a picky bits plate always feels a little more fun than a conventional meal.
Taken from our book Homes for Living, this guide celebrates the beauty of a no-hard-and-fast-rules approach. It’s simply about bringing together a handful of ingredients that complement one another. A balance of creamy, crunchy, fresh and sharp elements that transforms a collection of odds and ends into something delicious.
A Guide to the Perfect ‘Picky Bits’ Plate
If we could eat a selection of little morsels for dinner on the sofa every night, we would. Building the perfect picky bits plate calls for a bit of creativity, along with a formula to keep things balanced. You want a variety of textures, colours and flavours that range from fatty to sharp. Here is a picky bits game plan.
• Something crunchy (x 1): sourdough crackers, crisps, toast
• Something spreadable (x 1–2): hummus, tzatziki, caramelised onion chutney, mango chutney, butter
• Something healthy (x 1–2): sliced apple, celery sticks, cucumber sticks, carrot sticks, chicory leaves, grapes
• Something sharp (x 1–2): pickled onions, olives, cornichons, caperberries, sauerkraut, kimchi, pickled beetroots
• Something fatty (x 2–3): Cheddar, Comté, Gorgonzola, garlic and herb cream cheese, ham, saucisson/salami, sausage rolls, anchovies, 7-minute boiled eggs
