ROMANTIC PICNIC FOOD IDEAS

ROMANTIC PICNIC FOOD IDEAS & FREE RECIPES
 

  
 "A book of verses underneath the bough, a jug of wine, a
        loaf of bread...and thou"
               --- The Rubaiyat of Omar Khayyam, 1859
 

Romantic picnic food ideas...
pic-nic, n. 1. A pleasure outing at which a meal is eaten outdoors.

Imagine yourself, nestled on a soft cloth spread out on the ground, underneath a shade tree. You and your baby are nibbling on crusty french bread and sharp cheese, and sipping on iced Chablis.

Dappled sunlight kisses you both as you enjoy a

soft summer afternoon communing with nature. Get the picture? Great!   Why not do it?

Gosh, we love picnics! Doesn't everyone? Okay, so it may be hard to get him to agree at first. But if you learn the old-fashioned art of romantic picnicking, and treat him to a tasty one, he'll love it, too. He may even become the instigator! Later on this page we present the secret menus with recipes for four fantastic and romantic picnic adventures. And don't miss the cool Cheese Primer!

It is really very easy to construct a delicious gourmet meal that will not only satisfy your palates... it'll add a degree of romance and fun to your relationship in a unique way...   Here's how...

 

Wait a moment! First, we've got a treat for you. We've finally published our most excellent new cookbook, titled "Food For Lovers!".

This thing is great, packed with lots of time-tested, generation-proven, soul-pleasing recipes and menu ideas. It is designed to turn a one-sided domestic chore into a pleasant culinary experience to be shared with your mate...

Get your hands on it today. Click on the book to hear all about it...
 

       ROMANTIC PICNIC FOOD IDEAS 
          THE SECRET IS IN THE PLANNING  

Romantic picnic food ideas...

Although impromptu picnics, using leftovers from your 'fridge and store-bought potato salad have their place, the most memorable picnics are the result of preparation beforehand and attention to detail. Picnic foods should complement the mood: light but satisfying, with delightful and unexpected accents.

                                

         ROMANTIC PICNIC FOOD IDEAS 
                BUT WHERE SHALL WE DINE?  

Give some thought to your locale, where some great picnic spots are sure to be hiding. Even in the middle of downtown Manhattan, you should be able to find a quaint rooftop on which to set up camp. Scout around, get creative... come up with a great site in the countryside, at the beach, in the forest...


                          
 

        ROMANTIC PICNIC FOOD IDEAS 
                 TOOLS OF THE TRADE  

Romantic picnic food ideas...

You don't need to get fancy with supplies (at first). All you'll need is two containers to transport your food and utensils to the scene. One is a cooler with ice in it.  It's important to keep perishables properly refrigerated to prevent spoilage (and dangerous illness). Especially vulnerable are meats, fish, eggs, mayonnaise, and dairy products.

You never want to put hot foods in with cold, so you need a second
container for the hot and room temp foods. You can use a
traditional picnic basket (more on this later), bags, or even
cardboard boxes.

You'll also need the following items for your picnic:

• Rug or bedspread and tablecloth--- to spread out on the
  ground (portable table and chairs if desired)
• Beach umbrella
• Sharp knife, serving spoons, eating utensils
• Small cutting board
• Plates, cups and glasses
• Can opener, bottle opener, corkscrew, matches, & candles
• Small salt shaker and pepper mill
• Garbage bags & ziploc bags for leftovers
• Paper towels, napkins, wet wipes
  
                                 

And for a fun atmosphere:

• Frisbee
• Boombox and soothing music; jazz, classical, or new age
• Playing cards or chess game
• Light reading--books or magazines, crossword puzzles
• Kite
   

         ROMANTIC PICNIC FOOD IDEAS 
                  MAD ABOUT PICNICS?  

Romantic picnic food ideas...

If you're like us, you enjoy the whole picnic experience. Maybe it
is more trouble to prepare, pack and transport your meal to
another location, but we feel it's worth it... what a fun and
satisfying way to enhance romance !

Commit to it! Get yourself a nice picnic basket, to really set the
mood. Keep utensils, plates, salt and pepper and cloth napkins
stored in your basket... so you'll be ready to go when the mood
strikes! There's a variety of beautiful baskets available, at
reasonable prices. 

STELLA'S HOT PICKS

The baskets above are available at a cool site we like:  
Picnic World... where shipping is always free!

Picnic baskets also make a really unique and classy wedding
gift. Check out their selection:  Unique Picnic Wedding Gifts.
 

        ROMANTIC PICNIC FOOD IDEAS 
           FOUR AWESOME PICNICS FOR TWO

Romantic picnic food ideas...

We now present some great picnic food ideas & recipes.

All items with (*) have complete free recipes included. Just click on the link which follows the picnic plans below.

And check out our nifty Cheese Primer  to explore some unique and soulful additions to your classic picnic menu.


                   
  

Romantic picnic food ideas...

1.  STEAK ON THE BARBY
                                                                                                                    

Menu
Marinated London broil*               
Charcoal roasted vegetable packets*
Roasted corn on cob in husks*
Burgundy wine and/or iced tea
Chocolate chip cookies or brownies
Small disposable charcoal grill pack
    (Found in most grocery stores or Wal-Mart;
      better yet, find a park with grills provided)
 

2.  DELI  DELIGHT
                                                 
Menu
Pita pockets and/or flavored "wraps"
Sweet onion and tomatoes (thinly sliced & marinated)*
Provolone and Jarlsberg cheeses, thinly sliced Lebanon
    bologna, (worth looking for)
Smoked turkey breast, shaved
Prosciutto ham, thinly sliced
Gourmet kettle-cooked potato chips
Kosher dill pickles
Poupon, honey, or sweet-hot mustard
Mayonnaise
Dark beer and/or canned root beer or ginger ale
Pineapple & oranges Kirsch*
 

3.  FRENCH COUNTRY PIQUE-NIQUE
                                                           

Menu
Brie cheese, at room temp
Classic liver pate (canned)
French baguettes with whipped butter (Baguettes are
    slender, crispy french bread fresh-made in the
    bakery- search for the best ones in your area)
Cold roast chicken with herbs*
Chilled Pinot Chardonnay or Champagne and/or
    homemade spiced lemonade*
Strawberries Grand Marnier*
 

4.  ELEGANT ANTIPASTO

                                          

Menu 
Smoked oysters (canned)
Summer sausage, sliced
Relishes: Bottled or canned;  Pick 2 or 3: 
    Caponata (eggplant relish)
    Chutney
    Corn relish
    Marinated artichoke hearts
    Baby corn cobs (canned)
    Pickled mushrooms
    Giardiniera (pickled mix veg)
    Cocktail onions
Pickles: Pick one:
    Bread & butter pickles
    Gherkins
    Crispy dill slices
Olives: Pick one:
    Green stuffed
    Black
    Calamata
Cheeses: Pick two:
    We love Asiago & Fontinella, or choose some from
    the  Cheese Primer .
Gourmet crackers-- we like Breton, Carr's Water
    Crackers, Town House Bistro, or even Triscuits or
    Ritz, if you like
Jug Sangria* and Bottled Spring Water- Evian or
    sparkling Perrier, the one that started the craze
Brandied peaches*

 

NOW FOR THE PICNIC MENU RECIPES (*) --CLICK HERE