Romantic Food Ideas For A Picnic

Romantic food ideas for a picnic are found in wonderful places, from the corners of your cabinet to the corner deli.

Look In Your Cupboard

As tempting as it is, this is probably not the time for wild experimentation. Fix something that you know, and something you know your sweetie will enjoy. Romance isn't defined as "gourmet" -- it is rather a way of saying, "I know you enjoy this, and so I have prepared it especially for you."

There are lots of choices, with sandwiches, salads and chicken topping the list. But there are lots of other choices too. Mostly, look for things that don't need to be cooked, and things that travel well. Then fit it to the time of day and the season of the year, and you have a wonderful picnic.

Remember: the food is only the second most important part of a picnic.

Look At Your Corner Deli for Food Ideas For A Picnic

Short on time? The corner deli is your saving grace. The deli makes a business out of preparing really great sandwiches and salads and desserts.

And don't overlook the deli counter at many grocery stores. Some of them are excellent.

You may be able to save time by fixing some great chicken yourself, but picking up a super salad and big green olives at the deli, maybe even some cookies. Swing by the grocery store for some fresh fruit and you are all set.

Romantic Food Ideas For A Picnic -- One Special Treat

Rather than trying to make everything special, make just one thing very special. Don't try to make a gourmet main dish and a gourmet salad and a gourmet dessert, with really incredible hors d'oeuvres too. It is just too much. Choose one thing that will be very special, and it will be quite memorable.

Serving Your Picnic

Paper plates and plastic forks work fine for most picnics. But if you can, use the real thing. And ALWAYS use real glasses for wine -- no plastic here. They don't have to be your fine crystal, but they do need to be glass. See the picture at the top? Our lady was sharp enough to bring glasses for the wine, and serve the lunch on paper plates.

Food Ideas For A Picnic To Suit Your Fancy

On every "picnic" page we have, you will discover a new picnic recipe. Look at the bottom of each page. Take a peek and see which recipes suit your fancy.

	Discover some lovely romantic picnic ideas, and make them your own! Romantic picnic recipe: Fresh Raspberry Spritzers
	Planning a romantic picnic ahead of time means that you will have lots of time to spend with your sweetie. Romantic picnic recipe: California Artichokes With Vinaigrette
	The perfect picnic menu combines delightful menu choices with delightful company, no matter what the time of day. Romantic picnic recipe: Italian Hero Sandwiches
	Romantic picnic food ideas need not be difficult to prepare. But they should be something your sweetie enjoys, and maybe something you can share. Romantic picnic recipe: Rendezvous Guacamole
	Romantic picnic recipes come in lots of different flavors and styles. Find the most romantic one for you. Romantic picnic recipe: Seaside Lemon Chicken
	Cold picnic food recipes are anything but dull. On the contrary, they are the essence of a romantic picnic getaway. And you've got more time to spend with your sweetie! Romantic picnic recipe: Shrimp Salad Delight
	Food ideas for a picnic. Let your palate be your guide in choosing just the right items for your picnic basket. A special picnic recipe: Hazelnut Cookies
	Easy picnic recipes are my favorite. Like you, I don't have a lot of time to cook, so quick and easy -- and even gourmet -- picnic recipes leave me time and energy to enjoy my picnic getaway too. Easy picnic recipe: Gourmet Salmon Salad
	Summer picnic foods splash your world with sunshine and refreshment, especially when you can dangle your toes in a nearby lake. Summer picnic recipe: Espresso Brownies
	Great picnic food ideas for even the most persnickety eaters start with wine, then proceed to a main dish, one that is tasty and enticing. That's true no matter what the season, what the time of day, or what the dining preferences are. Great picnic recipe: French Style Potato Salad
	Picnics have been a wonderful part of romantic California getaways since ... well since there were California getaways. Your hotel will help you get one together and point you to a very romantic picnic spot, such as Seaport Village Park or Butterfly Beach or Heisler Park or Avila Beach or Idyllwild.

Here is your special food idea for a picnic:

Hazelnut Cookies

Cookies are great picnic foods. They pack well, travel well, and are delicious. The hazelnuts make this one special.

You will need:

1/4 cup (4 1/2 oz.) sliced hazelnuts (filberts)
1/2 cup (4 oz) unsalted butter, room temperature
1/2 cup (3 1/2 oz) dark brown sugar
1 teaspoon vanilla extract
1 egg
1/4 cup (4 oz) all purpose flour
1/4 cup confectioners' sugar (optional)

First, preheat your oven to 350 degrees.

Use a baking sheet and spread the hazelnuts over them. Toast them until they are light brown, about 3-5 minutes. Let them cool in the baking sheet.

Raise your oven temperature to 375 degrees.

Combine the butter and brown sugar in a mixing bowl. With an electric mixer or a fork, make sure they are mixed well. If the butter is too cold it will hard to work with. Add the egg and the vanilla and continue mixing them. Then add the flour, a bit at a time.

Add the hazelnuts to the mixture and gently mix them all in.

With a teaspoon, drop the batter onto a baking sheet. Place them about 1 inch apart. You may need two cookie sheets. Bake until the cookies are light brown, about 8 minutes. With a spatula, transfer the cookies to a rack to cool.

Dust the cookies with confectioner's sugar. They will stay fresh for up to a week in an air tight container, so you can prepare these ahead of time.

If you want a more elaborate dessert, serve these cookies with a tropical fruit salad or fresh strawberries with whipped cream.

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Romantic food ideas for a picnic ... with all the treasures you both enjoy.

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