This time of year is all about alfresco (with an umbrella of course if you live in the UK!). Many social occasions require a picnic and an early start, so getting most of it prepared the night before is a real bonus. These canapes fit the bill – can be made ahead, are super delish and can be frozen for up to two months (but I doubt you’ll have any left over!).

Smoked Salmon & Poppy Seed Palmiers

Ingredients (makes 10)
320g sheet puff pastry
1 egg, beaten
1 tbsp poppy seeds
5 tbsp cream cheese
100g smoked salmon
small bunch chives, snipped

How to prepare
Unroll the pastry and brush one side all over with the beaten egg. Sprinkle over the poppy seeds, then flip over the pastry. Spread the cream cheese over the pastry and top with the smoked salmon, then scatter over the chives. With one of the longer sides facing you, mark a line roughly down the centre, but don’t cut all the way through. Tightly roll each end in towards the middle until you reach the centre. Slice into 1cm-thick pieces and place, cut-side up, on a baking tray lined with baking parchment. Chill until ready to bake, or freeze for up to 2 months.
Heat oven to 200C/180C fan/gas 6. Bake for 20-25 mins until puffed up and golden brown (if baking from frozen, cook for an extra 5 mins). Leave to cool on a wire rack before packing for your picnic.

Recipe from Good Food magazine, May 2015