MEETING pals for dinner and drinks is always a treat – but it can also be pricey.
To save your pennies, why not swap eating out for al-fresco dining while the weather is still warm enough to enjoy it.
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An evening tapas-style picnic is an easy way to indulge without blowing your budget — and I reckon you could put on a tasty spread for four for around £5 per person.
Here’s how to prep a picnic without breaking the bank.
CHECK THE WEATHER: Pick a day when the forecast looks dry — and divide out the duties so everyone does their bit.
One could bring blankets, another provides plates and a third sorts out the cutlery. Each friend also shops for one element of the picnic.
CHARCUTERIE: Give the job of buying cooked meats and cheese to one guest.
Tesco has a meat and antipasti sharing platter for £5, featuring salami and cheese, as well as olives and dip.
Alternatively, Aldi has packs of Italian salami and cheese at £1.79. Buy a couple of these, plus a pack of olives for £1.69.
TORTILLA: Spanish-style egg-and-potato tortillas are filling and as good cold as freshly cooked.
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Someone should pick up a couple of Aldi’s potato-and-onion tortillas, £1.99, along with a crusty French stick, usually costing around £1.
SWEET TREAT: Put a mate on dessert duty and ask them to grab a tub of humous for the spread, too.
Try New York cheesecake, £3.29, and The Deli humous, 89p, both from Aldi.
Morrisons’ Limoncello dessert, £3.29, plus red-pepper humous, £1.35, are also great buys.
BRING YOUR OWN FIZZ: This is where you can really save on your bill. Restaurant booze is expensive, so task one person with finding a bottle of bubbly for around a fiver.
Try Bella Cucina Asti, £5, from Tesco. Or get along to Aldi for Costellore Prosecco, £5.49. And maybe buy a bottle or two yourself if you reckon you have some thirsty friends.
- All prices on page correct at time of going to press. Deals and offers subject to availability.
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