Beachside Must Haves
WORDS: CHYKA KEEBAUGH
When the weather in Melbourne turns it on like this, I always feel that gentle nudge to get outside, slow down and enjoy something simple yet delicious. Long weekends are made for beach walks, fresh air and easy meals that feel special without being complicated, and this beachside salad ticks every box.
The star of the show? Moondarra Cheese’s beautifully Marinated Cheese. Creamy, flavour-packed and endlessly versatile, it’s one of those ingredients that does most of the work for you. Tossed through a fresh salad, layered into a crusty roll or simply enjoyed as-is with a fork and good company. It’s the kind of food that makes you pause and savour the moment.
This is my idea of long-weekend cooking: minimal prep, maximum enjoyment, and flavours that feel indulgent yet entirely effortless.
Summertime Chicken Salad
Ingredients:
One roasted chicken
One iceberg lettuce chopped up
One avocado
Four peaches or nectarines sliced
Eight rashes of prosciutto pan fried until crispy
A handful of Pistachio nuts
A couple of generous, crumbling hand fulls of Marinated Cheese
Method:
Mix all the ingredients together and using some of the oil from the marinated cheese coat the salad lightly
Season with salt and pepper and fresh lemon juice with a small amount of balsamic to complete the flavour.
How to Pack the Perfect Easy Picnic
A good picnic doesn’t need to be overthought, it just needs a little planning. Here’s how I like to keep it simple and stress-free:
Step 1: Choose food that travels well
Think salads without delicate leaves, marinated cheeses, crusty bread, wraps and sturdy fruit. Avoid anything that needs reheating or lots of last-minute assembly.
Step 2: Pack smart containers
Use airtight containers for salads and cheeses, and keep dressings or marinades separate if needed (unless they’re doing double duty like this one!). A small jar goes a long way.
Step 3: Keep it cool
An insulated bag with a small ice brick will keep everything fresh — especially important for cheese on warmer days.
Step 4: Don’t forget the basics
Reusable cutlery, napkins, a small chopping board, a knife for slicing bread, and a tea towel (which doubles as a tablecloth) are picnic essentials in my book.
Step 5: Add one little luxury
This could be sparkling water, a homemade lemonade, fresh flowers wrapped in paper, or a favourite treat. It’s these small touches that make a simple picnic feel special.