PrintSurprise romantic picnic - ideas needed!
I have offered to do a surprise picnic for a friend and her boyfriend. Essentially, I will make the basket ingredients and hide them in a location that they will show up to later and then feast.
So the obvious question - what should I make! No source of heat, so that's a factor. Also, he is not keen on onions and she is not big on peppers or mushrooms (no I don't know how they survive!) What would you make for a romantic picnic outside?
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14 Comments:
how about an antipasto spread, lots of olives, cheese, cold meats, pickled artichokes, also a GOOD loaf of bread and a nice wine.
huney_bumper at 11:39AM on 04/25/08
A cooler isn't as romantic as a beautiful picnic basket, but will you be able to keep food cold/cool? I have wonderful picnic baskets and blankets with moisture proof bottoms you are welcome to borrow. If it has to be food that can be left out in the heat for a considerable period of time, that rules out many choices. Are they wine or beer drinkers? Is it still chilly in Canada? If evening, how about a hibachi with hot coals for cooking or heating? As you can probably tell, I'm a total romantic, but need details, girl, details! ;-)
PerkyMac at 11:43AM on 04/25/08
It will be a luncheon, no heat source, but the temps are getting nice these days in the Great White North. I plan on putting a couple of those freezer packs in the basket to keep thing cool.
Maureen at 11:48AM on 04/25/08
a loaf of bread, a jug of wine and .., yup! huney_bumper that sounds just about right. I'd add a really special dessert and really nice wine glasses, cloth napkins.
NanaJoie at 11:49AM on 04/25/08
I agree with huney, the only thing missing from her description of MY perfect picnic would be some fruit for dessert, maybe some chocolate dipped strawberries. :)
Southern_bella at 11:50AM on 04/25/08
Great suggestions. Food they can feed each other! Ina Garten made a Beef and Horseradish sauce sandwich (from filet) that looked like a perfect romantic, elegant, and delicious picnic food.
Sounds like a fun project Maureen, where you can really use your creativity and imagination. Let us know what you end up making?
p.s. if it's a long lunch, you might want to add some comfy pillows. just sayin...... ;0
PerkyMac at 12:13PM on 04/25/08
I love Ina's little picnic ideas. I think that sandwich Perky mentioned would be very good. I loved the picnic Ina did on the beach with all the pillows.
Definitely set the scene with blankets and pillows since it is intended to be romantic.
I think the chocolate dipped strawberries is a classic romance item.
Perhaps a bottle of bubbly? With strawberries, I would think a slightly off-dry champagne, like the Moet White Star. Much more approachable than a super dry brut in the middle of the day. Or in a different, but still romantic bent, go with the Domaine Chandon Rose Brut. The soft blush color and creaminess of the sparkling will go with and complement soft cheeses and fruit like grapes and berries--all food you can feed each other. Man, a really good rose screams spring picnic. If you go with champagne or sparkling, you won't need to remember to pack a wine opener!
wookie at 12:24PM on 04/25/08
yes and yes on the strawberries dipped in chocolate (as long as the chocolate won't melt because that would be ugly and unromantic) and the bubbly. grapes are a must as well as figs, in my opinion. not really the season for the latter, so i would maybe do dried figs or dates with goat cheese and a fresh baguette. the other option if they are not keen on these would be apple and a hard cheese which would be more difficult to feed to each other but is definitely classic/romantic picnic fare. remember to pack a blanket or something to sit on so they are comfortable. uncomfortable picnic seating is the worst. good luck! i am jealous--i would love this project.
tudogostoso at 2:14PM on 04/25/08
For these little intimate things I always take the opportunity to serve cold beef sliced ever so thin just sea salt and pepper (no garlic unless that turns you both in) a wheel of brie, baguette, some roasted peppers and a salad of your chosing (string beans/pasta/easy to eat and or feed to someone) in just ONE container.
Put the chilled beef in a zip bag, the roast peppers in another, pick a nice sparkly white and then a gorgeous bunch of grapes and small little cakes of your choice so you can feed each other. Madelines, mini cupcakes, macarons or macaroons, an assortment of small cakes and chocolates.
This will all fit in a backpack or hamper.
I like the plastic flutes for this because if you want to you can throw them out. Bring some real napkins.
Beef is sol unreal good cold with just sea salt and pepper cook it low and slow 225 for a few hours. Rare is amazing.
Make sure you bring napkins you might have juice from the meat.
JerzeeTomato at 2:14PM on 04/25/08
@JerzeeTomato--OK, you're hired. My hubby and I would like our picnic as soon as you can fly out to Indy, no better yet, we'll fly OUT of Indy. No, actually, there is a beautiful spot out by the IMA. I'll send directions. :))) *sigh* the weather here is perfect for a picnic.
wookie at 2:22PM on 04/25/08
What a great, lovely idea! I hope your friends appreciate it, especially if you include a single one of the delicious sounding ideas above.
Christina at 2:46PM on 04/25/08
Your friends bf sounds like me-but I have a wider range of dislikes...
You could stick with salad(s)-ceaser salad with some chicken or shrimp, pasta salad, great bread, butter, grapes-and other fruits, crackers and cheese, wine/bubbly, dessert-the chocolate covered strawberries (which could turn things interesting if chocolate is melted.:)).
The sandwhich PerkyMac suggested sounds good.
Just make sure you are aware of any allergies from the people you are making this for. Also, you may not want to get too fancy-he may not be interested...Some guys are not so "foodie" and interested in some ingredients we love and adore..:)
Happy Meal Planning!
Butrflygirly at 4:41PM on 04/25/08
don't forget to pack the wine opener! :) ....this happens to me all the time
bisbee at 5:23PM on 04/25/08
For me huney_bumper pretty much nailed it, but I'm kind of a traditionalist. People have had "pick-a-niks" for centuries without elaborate coolers and what not.
Almonds, figs, cheeses, bread, wine, olives, maybe something like soprasetta, a real basket, and yes cloth napkins.
A local cheese shop like the one in my neighborhood, or maybe somewhere like whole foods will have lots of items that are perfect for this. I'd suggest seeing what is readily available and appropriate and start from there. With something like this it's easier than making an "ideal" list and then trying to fill it. Plus you might see things you didn't think about, or choose to spend a bit more money on one thing (like wine) and less on another (like maybe dessert).
Best of luck.
macluddite at 5:45PM on 04/25/08