We’re in full holiday mode and boat owners snatch every little bit of time they have to spend it out at sea. If you are planning to set sail this weekend, here are tips to help you decide what food you should be taking onboard.

If you have kids, make sure you take lots of snacks with you. There’s nothing worse than being out with hungry kids on board. Small food items can be easily kept in the fridge or a picnic cooler, like fresh fruit to transform into a delicious fruit salad.

Packets of dried fruits and nuts are also ideal. Try to keep snacks as healthy as possible to make up for the ice-cream consumed to cool down. Another great snack for kids snack bars made of oats, cereals, fruits and nuts.

If your kids are choosy, go for the ones with the chocolate and yogurt topping as these can be more appealing to them, or with small chocolate chips inside.

With regard to easy-to-prepare food, bread pockets and soft flour tortillas are ideal for a quick snack. Try to avoid wraps as you usually need to heat them up for best results. Bread pockets and tortillas can be filled with so many delicious and tasty fillings and can be prepared in minutes. Try mixing together tuna, mayonnaise, chopped coloured bell peppers and kidney beans for a healthy filling. Kids love them.

Also, grill or roast some chicken breasts at home before you leave and take these on board with you. Chicken is a great sandwich filler and ideal in a salad. Add sliced cold chicken pieces to mixed salad leaves, throw in a packet of crunchy croutons, walnut halves, feta cheese cubes and seedless grapes. Pour over a few tablespoons of vinaigrette and hey presto… the tastiest healthy salad which you can prepare on your boat for lunch in less than five minutes.

Another great salad idea which can be prepared in minutes is a pasta or rice salad. I like adding in lots of healthy tinned beans like chick peas, butter beans and also sweetcorn. These make a great foundation to any salad.

Apart from your cooked rice or pasta, it’s really up to you what else you add in. Try sliced spring onions for a refreshing taste, mini mozzarella balls and freshly torn basil leaves. Tinned tuna is also a great ingredient to add to any rice or pasta salad and don’t forget some greens like crispy rocket leaves or anything else you want to throw in.

Here is a quick recipe to prepare, ideal for any boat trip.

Fresh fig and Parma ham salad with Gozitan cheese and nut brittle

4 ripe fresh figs, quartered
6 slices Parma ham
2 fresh Gozitan cheeselets, thickly sliced
100g caramel nut brittle, broken into pieces
A few rocket leaves

For the dressing

3 tbsp extra virgin olive oil
1 tbsp balsamic vinegar
1 tbsp honey
Fresh seasoning

Start this recipe by preparing the dressing. Simply place all the ingredients into a small empty jar and season well with salt and pepper. Secure on the lid and give the jar a good shake. Next, neatly arrange the quartered figs, Parma ham slices and Gozitan cheese slices on a large round serving plate. Scatter on the broken pieces of caramel nut brittle and decorate the top with a few scattered rocket leaves. Finally, pour over the honey dressing and serve the salad accompanied by a refreshing glass of chilled white wine or prosecco.

What could be more enjoyable while laying on the deck of a boat in the hot sun surrounded by the Mediterranean Sea?