Gifts need not be expensive. Savory foods and sweet cakes are perfect for Valentine’s Day. The best venue for a romantic dinner date is often at home because of two main reasons: privacy and comfort. Not to mention the huge savings on food and wine. Spontaneity intensifies the excitement when special loved ones are pleasantly surprised.

Picnic Outings are as Romantic as Valentine Dinner Dates

Here are 3 romantic picnic ideas that will bring you and your sweetheart closer to each other.

1. A small barbecue dinner in the patio will give an atmosphere of eating in a side walk café. Decorate the small table with a small tall vase for one red rosebud and a candlestick.

2. An impromptu and very informal dinner on the bed will look more romantic when lighted candles surround the bedroom. Spread a picnic blanket on the middle of the bed and pretend that you’re on some grassy spot in the park.

3. Pack picnic foods and drinks in backpacks and take a morning hike. Join outdoor activities that have a cause like voluntary tree-planting or collection of recycleable materials in the neighborhood.

Bring the usual picnic foods and picnic desserts plus a bottle of very special wine, of course. Don’t forget to pack the picnic blanket, some dining plates and utensils, and a couple of fine wine glasses. Just keep the foods simple to prepare and easy to pack. Spicy chicken wings are quick to cook while tossing a cauliflower salad. A heart-shaped gelatin for picnic dessert can be prepared the night before. Clean drinking water is better than fruit juices or soda drinks.

Spicy Picnic Chicken Wings

Ingredients:

10 pieces chicken wings
¼ cup hot sauce
¼ cup sugar
½ cup tomato sauce
1 cup of beer
Salt and ground pepper, to taste

How to: Combine all ingredients. Marinate chicken wings overnight inside the refrigerator. Over low heat, simmer chicken wings in marinade mixture for about 20 minutes, or until tender. Pour half of marinade on a baking tray and arrange the chicken wings all over the surface; then pour the remaining mix on top. Broil for 3 minutes; then turn the chicken wings. Broil for 7 minutes. Cool completely before packing.

Cauliflower Salad Best for Picnic

Ingredients:

2 cups cauliflower, shredded to bite-sized flowerettes
1 cup mayonnaise
1 cup cheese, shredded
Salt and ground pepper, to taste
1 pc. medium-sized Sausage, chopped

How to: Boil 4 cups water in a deep pot. Add the cauliflower flowerettes and immediately remove from heat. Pour the vegetable in a strainer to drain. Sprinkle salt and ground pepper; then, cool and chill in the refrigerator before packing. Pack the mayonnaise and cheese separately. To serve, toss the vegetables with mayonnaise and cheese right before eating. Note: An alternative is to roast the cauliflower flowerettes instead of boiling.

Heart-Shaped Picnic Gelatine Dessert

Ingredients:

1 Tbsp red powdered gelatin, unflavored
4 Tbsp white fine sugar
1 cup water (add more for softer gelatine)
3 pieces medium strawberries, sliced thinly

How to: Heat water in a pot. Combine gelatine and sugar; then dissolve the mixture in small amount of water. Add the gelatine mix in the hot water. Stir continuously for 5 minutes. Do not boil. Remove from heat and cool slightly before pouring into a heart-shaped mold, where strawberry slices are arranged beautifully. Refrigerate until firm. Serve with whipped cream.

These simple picnic food recipes will turn your picnic outing as the most memorable Valentine date you’ve ever had by just choosing the best wine for the spicy chicken wings. White wine is usually perfect for chicken dishes but a bottle of fruity red wine can bring the palate alive. An even better suggestion is a bottle of Italian Chianti.

Picnic outings often give us big appetite so add sausage bits and grilled peppers to the cauliflower salad to make it more delicious and satisfying.

Never end a Valentine picnic date without some sweets. The heart-shaped strawberry-flavored gelatine should be just perfect as picnic dessert.

Last but not the least, don’t forget to play your favorite romantic music.

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Romantic picnic : Making Love Sandwiches

Romantic Picnic Ideas for your Romantic Date

Italian Style

Few people in the world know romance like Italians. Few people also know the cultural value of great food like Italians. Put both of those together and what do you get? Romantic picnic recipes, Italian style. One of the best things about Italian food is that it just evokes sensual feelings of romance, probably because we think of Italy when we eat Italian food – and Italy is one of the most romantic places on earth. You do not have to go to a fancy restaurant to eat some high-quality Italian food, though. You can make it yourself, and take it on the romantic outing you have been planning for your partner. The three romantic picnic recipes below will give you a good sampling of an Italian-style romantic picnic.

Romantic Picnic Recipes: Bruschetta

All good meals have appetizers, and bruschetta is one of the best appetizers in the world. To make this classic Italian dish, you will first need to slice your ciabatta bread into slices that are about two inches long and two inches wide. Then, take 6 ripe plum tomatoes, parboil them (boil them for around a minute in water that has just been taken off of the heat), and carefully skin them before dicing them into chunks by hand. You will then need to gather 6 or 7 fresh basil leaves, 2 minced cloves of garlic, mozzarella cheese, ¼ cup of olive oil, a teaspoon of balsamic vinegar, and freshly ground black pepper. Place the mozzarella cheese on the ciabatta bread and toast it in an oven until the cheese is melted. Then, chop the basil and mix it with the garlic, olive oil, vinegar, and tomatoes. Mix together. When the cheese is soft and melted (but not brown), remove the bread and place your mixture on top.

Romantic Picnic Recipes: Italian Pasta

For this dish, you will need fettuccine, enough for two people. You will also need 1 cup of olive oil, chopped oregano, a minced clove of garlic, ¼ cup of butter, Parmesan, Asiago, mozzarella, and Romano cheese, red peppers, and 1 cup of heavy cream. Boil the fettuccine in a pot of salted water until tender (yet not overcooked). Drain and set aside. While the pasta is boiling, melt the butter in a saucepan over medium-low heat, then add the other ingredients one by one. Make sure you also dice the red peppers before including them. Since you are using four cheeses, I recommend adding a 1 ½ cup of cheese (with equal parts from all four) to the mixture. Simmer until it forms a creamy, alfredo-like sauce. Then, just pour over the pasta, toss, and enjoy. You should make this as close to time for the picnic as possible to keep the food nice and warm, but if it loses a little heat it’s okay.

Romantic Picnic Recipes: Caesar Salad

This last recipe is pretty simple. Everyone has probably eaten Caesar salad at one point; this will be the classic recipe with a few additions. First, take a head of Romaine lettuce (but only the hearts and tender parts). Wash the leaves, pat them dry, and place them in a bowl. Then, add in a layer of grated Parmesan cheese, until there is a nice layer on top (but not too thick). Then, add grated Romano cheese to the top. You can make your own croutons by taking Italian bread and dicing it into 3/4-inch cubes. Lightly toss these in olive oil, sprinkle on minced garlic, and then sprinkle on grated Parmesan cheese and crumbled blue cheese (as well as a little salt). Bake on a baking sheet until golden brown. Once you have included the croutons, pour on Caesar dressing and splash the salad with a touch of olive oil and a bit of balsamic vinaigrette (approximately a tablespoon for each). Then, toss so that the leaves are basically covered by the sauce and mixture. Then serve.

Here you are. An Italian-style romantic picnic. As they say in Rome, Florence, Venice, and the other gorgeous cities of italy, “Buon appetito!”

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Romantic Picnic Recipes -Making Love Sandwiches

Picnic Food Ideas – Two Romantic Picnic Desserts Recipes

Making Picnic Love Sandwiches

Finding romantic picnic recipes is not always easy. Usually you have to ask a friend, or your mom (and who wants to ask their mom about anything romantic?), and you may not always like what recipes you receive. Making a romantic picnic dish may also seem more difficult than it really is. This is why I have written this article – to give you easy to make romantic picnic recipes that will definitely hit the spot with a nice, romantic meal. (You will even have fun with this one. I promise.)

Romantic Picnic Recipes: The Ingredients

The name of this recipe – Love Sandwiches – might sound weird, but it is called that for a reason. Love between two people involves, among other things, doing something together whenever possible. It involves sharing something between two people. You and your significant other can connect in this way anywhere, no matter what you are doing – even eating. Love sandwiches simply are sandwiches that you two make for each other. And while they can be as simple as you want them to be, this recipe will allow you and your special someone to enjoy each other and a little fun in a classic way.

Here is what you will need. If you know your partner has a favorite type of sandwich bread, bring that. If not, I suggest bringing the following: marbled rye bread, French baguettes, melba toast, whole wheat honey bread, and small pitas. For added effect, reduce each to small portions, a little bigger than bite-size. You will then need to bring sandwich fillings. I suggest the following: prosciutto ham, roasted turkey breast, honey-baked ham, roast beef, grilled sliced chicken breast, cheese (Brie, Swiss, provolone, mozzarella, cheddar), ripened plum tomato slices, leafy green lettuce, baby spinach leaves, banana peppers, sweet pickle slices, and any other of your favorite ingredients. Try to use something you have not tried before, though; that makes it fun. You should also bring mayonnaise, Dijon mustard, honey mustard, fruit spread, quiche spread, or any other sandwich condiment that you will like.

Romantic Picnic Recipes: Putting It All Together

Before you go, make sure the ingredients are in small portions. The object is for you and your partner to make small sandwiches with – and for – each other. Experiment. Try different combinations. Have fun with it. It is especially fun when you include a nice sampling of exotic foods that you two have never had before. For example, there are plenty of cheeses out there in the world that you can find wherever you live, more than likely. You probably have not even heard of them, much less eaten them, which is perfect for this recipe. You can and should experiment with your food combinations and dare each other to make unique and creative sandwiches. This is a great way to not only enjoy your food, but to really enjoy each other as well.

Another way to add a unique twist to this activity is to write down the names of each ingredient on slips of paper. Place the bread slips together, the meat slips together, the other ingredient slips together, and the condiment slips together. Then, draw one of each and see what you come up with. If you have a wide and diverse selection, this can result in some hilarious moments. After all, part of romance is enjoying your time with your partner. It does not have to be all serious and sensual; a fun time is just as romantic as one spent with roses, champagne, and soft music. And with Love Sandwiches, romance and fun are definitely what you will get.

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Romantic Picnic Recipes – Food Fingers 

Picnic Food Ideas – Two Romantic Picnic Food Recipes

Finger Foods

If you have been looking for a sweet and intimate activity or setting for you and your significant other, then I definitely recommend a romantic picnic. Food can be incredibly sensual and intimate, as can being outdoors with each other. When you combine the two, a romantic picnic is what you get. And while you can pick a variety of foods to take with you that will work well, perhaps the most intimate foods are those you can feed to your partner. Don’t laugh – it works! This article will give you a few romantic picnic recipes for finger foods that are designed to give you that closeness that you and your partner desire.

Romantic Picnic Recipes: Fresh Fruit Platter

The simplest finger food is a platter of fresh and succulent fruit. You can use just about any combination of fruit that you would like, and of course, if you or your partner like or do not like a particular fruit, the choice is up to you to include it. You can truly make this your own. But, I will give you my personal recommendation for a fruit platter. Take the following fruits:

- Strawberries

- Grapes

- Kiwi

- Oranges

- Mangos

- Pineapple

You will want to quarter the oranges and halve the strawberries, then slice everything else except for the grapes. You do not have to do anything fancy with the presentation, but I recommend arranging them by type in circles on a platter. The inner row is strawberry, the next row kiwi, etc. Along with this platter, you should bring dipping sauces or toppings. I recommend melted chocolate, whipped cream, cream cheese, strawberry glaze, and your favorite flavor of yogurt. This romantic food idea is very simple and does not take a lot of time to prepare.

Romantic Picnic Recipes: Homemade Chips and Salsa

If you really want to impress your significant other, try these romantic picnic recipes for homemade chips and salsa. To make your chips, you will need 1 ½ to 2 corn tortillas, vegetable cooking spray, and butter. Take your tortilla and spray each side with a light coat of cooking spray. Then, cut it into eight even wedges and bake for 400 degrees Fahrenheit. Before you do, though, place a bit of butter on each (or melt some butter and lightly coat each side with a touch of butter). You will want to keep these in for about 3 to 4 minutes per side. You will know they are done when they are nice and crisp.

Now, for your salsa, you will need the following:

- ¼ teaspoon of oregano

- 1 ½ tablespoon of green bell peppers (chopped)

- ½ minced clove of garlic

- ½ teaspoon of salt

- 1 ¼ tablespoon of rice vinegar

- 1 ¾ teaspoons of olive oil (light)

- 1 ¾ cups of chopped fresh tomatoes (the riper the better)

- 1 ½ tablespoon of chopped jalapenos (you can substitute red bell peppers)

- 2 ¾ teaspoons of chopped cilantro

- 1 teaspoon of chopped white onions

First, take your green pepper, onion, minced garlic, olive oil, and red peppers/jalapenos and simmer. If you would rather use a microwave, that is fine; just cover the mix and put it in for 1 minute. At this time, add your tomatoes and toss in the oregano and a touch of the cilantro. You will need to put it in for 2.5 to 3 minutes this time. After you are done, take the other ingredients and mix them together with what you have just prepared. You will want to put this in the refrigerator for at least an hour, but I recommend two or three hours at a minimum. If you want to use the stove instead, just simmer the ingredients over a medium-low heat instead of microwaving them. You will know they are ready at each step when they are nice and blended but not too hot to the touch.

Now all you have to do is just take your homemade chips and salsa outside and let you and your partner enjoy! I hope these romantic picnic recipes for finger foods have gotten your juices stirring. Feel free, of course, to customize them any way you wish. The real secrets to romance are effort and creativity that come from your heart.

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Picnic Food Ideas-Romantic Picnic Desserts Recipes

Picnic Food Ideas-More Summertime Picnic Food Ideas

 Recipes

If you are like most people who are involved, then your significant other is probably the single most important person in your life. Therefore, showing them love, affection, and care is a priority in your life, which means you want to show them a great time. There are many ways you can do this, and there are few wrong answers when it comes to romantic get-togethers. As long as you two are together and doing things that you find interesting, you cannot really go wrong. But while you are together, what better way to show love and affection for each other than to have a nice, sweet, and romantic picnic?

Below are two great romantic picnic food recipes that you can use to craft intimate and delicious meals that really help to bring out the romance in your next picnic.

Picnic Food Recipe #1: Simple Yet Sweet

This recipe is less of a recipe than it is a meal plan, and calls for you to bring together simple ingredients that make for a great meal. The first is cheese. Cheese is more than just the plain old cheddar you see in the market. There are many types of cheeses, and all of them offer a different taste that your significant other may enjoy. I suggest creating a cheese tray, complete with wheat crackers and focaccia bread. On this tray, have samples of the following cheeses: Asiago, Havarti (with fresh fruit), smoked Gouda, and a nice cheddar (perhaps a Denhay English cheddar).

With this cheese tray, include fresh fruit (such as grapes, sliced apples, or peaches) and a nice bottle of wine. For this particular picnic food recipe, I think a nice cabernet sauvignon would be tasty, as would any kind of champagne.

Picnic Food Recipe #2: Full and Fantastic

This picnic food recipe has two distinct parts: the main course, and dessert.

The main course: Honey-glazed chicken

Preheat the oven to 375 degrees. Take two boneless chicken breasts and place in a glass baking dish. Rub in poultry seasoning, a bit of ginger, and a pinch of thyme. Then, take honey and mix it with a bit of garlic powder and a light touch of soy sauce. Use this to baste the chicken, then bake the chicken for approximately 20 minutes (or until the inside is white and juicy).

As a side dish, I recommend making asparagus spears. To make these, take a shallow pan and heat olive oil. Cut the asparagus spears as you wish and lightly cook them in the olive oil until they are almost completely tender (yet still retain a slight crunch). Then, while still warm, cover in parmesan cheese and enjoy. Salt and pepper to taste.

The dessert: Homemade cheesecake

For the cheesecake itself, you will need about 4 eggs (divided into whites and yolks), 16 ounces of cream cheese, 3/4 cup of sugar, and a teaspoon of vanilla. Combine these ingredients (minus the whites and vanilla) and mix well. Then, mix in the whites with the vanilla. Take another dish and prepare a graham-cracker crust, then pour the mixture into the dish. Bake at 375 degrees for 30 minutes, then remove and chill in a refrigerator for at least five hours.

This cheesecake will taste even better with rich toppings of fresh fruit or chocolate. I recommend strawberries with strawberry glaze, with a drizzle of chocolate. You can even take melted chocolate, spread it on top to make a thin top layer, and drizzle caramel over it.

Both of these picnic food recipes promise to give you a great picnic you two can really enjoy. With good food, good company, and good conversation, your picnic will be a memory you two will cherish forever.