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Blow her mind with a picnic

Spring has arrived and with it, that urgent desire to get out and take in the fresh air. Unless you live in a climate that is amenable to annual alfresco activity, the opportunity to shed winter layers and soak up the sunshine is over powering. Our diet and appreciation of food changes with the weather as well, as different produce is available given seasonal harvests. Now is the time when we congregate at an outdoor café for brunch or join a friend for a beer on a patio.

At the first hint of spring, I look ahead on the calendar to determine how many potential weeks of warm weather may be in store, dust off the outdoor grill and start to make plans for backyard barbecues.

But the one luxury I savor the most when the weather is cooperative, is the romantic picnic. The picnic is taken for granted but it can be suitable for just about any occasion. What better way to impress a woman than to prepare a gourmet picnic lunch, drop by her place and whisk her off to a lake, mountain or park to dine under the sun? Throw a good bottle of wine into the mix and a comfortable blanket, and the experience could be quite memorable.

The best part about picnic preparation is that it does not require an inordinate amount of time to plan. Whether you consider yourself a gourmet or not, you can create a wonderful outdoor meal for two. There are some important rules to consider though, before you plan the menu:

weather watch

The temperature and picnic environment both factor in to the type of food you will bring along. If the heat is unbearable, you may want to reconsider that cheese plate, unless of course you plan to provide a refrigeration unit. But even in the event that you do have the proper container on hand to keep the food cool, you should still proceed with caution when the mercury is high.

The same can be said for meat, with a red flag for cold cuts, pork and ground beef. Proper storage is key and of course, once you have served the food, do not wait. Enjoy it before you start getting comfortable with your girlfriend on the grass, or else the sun or worse -- the insects -- will wreak havoc on your plan.

If you fail to bring the right equipment, your picnic could become a disaster. A cooler for dairy and meat items is important of course, but a good picnic would not be complete without a picnic basket.
Your woman will love the gesture when you show up with the basket on your arm, a bottle of wine in one hand and a bouquet of flowers in the other. The basket should have more than food in it as well. Line the bottom with a dishtowel or plastic wrap to soak up any potential liquid hazards.

A slick touch is to skip the paper towels for linen napkins. Leave the paper plates and plastic cutlery at home as well. I once stole two china plates and a set of silverware for the afternoon from my mother to take along on an elaborate picnic I had planned for a girl I wanted to impress.

Believe me, the effort was appreciated and the third degree I got from mom later was worth it (sorry mom!). Remember that blanket, gentleman, because after a good meal under the sun, you will want to relax and get horizontal with her.

What to eat

So what type of food is appropriate for a picnic? Well just about anything to be honest, but certain cuisine is more suitable. The following list should give you an idea:

Salads -- a good, comprehensive salad that incorporates more than one food group is perfect for a picnic. Try to skip out on the mayo dressing though -- it will not keep for long in the sun. Go for simple oil and vinegar concoctions drizzled over a pasta salad, with chopped, fresh vegetables, grilled chicken and pine nuts. A wild rice salad with similar ingredients would be good as well. If you love the picnic staple of potato salad, try a funky variation without the mayo. Roasted baby red potatoes with olive oil, lemon, fresh rosemary, and asparagus served cold of course, are delicious and should satisfy that starch craving.

Bread -- two words: fresh baguette

Meat and seafood -- you might think that this is a difficult proposition for a picnic, but not so. Grilled chicken breast is fantastic for a picnic and can be served in so many different ways, like sliced in the salads above or marinated whole. Some high-end deli meat would make a good impression -- forget the Oscar Mayer bologna. Fish can make a great picnic meal as well; it requires minimal cooking time and can be eaten cold, without elaborate preparation. I like to grill swordfish or tuna steaks for a picnic. Even smoked salmon or mussels would be great. The ultimate picnic showstopper though, has to be raw oysters on the half-shell. Not for everyone, mind you.

Dairy -- I love to bring some good cheese along when I have a picnic. It compliments the wine and bread so well, but the problem is the reaction it has under the sun. So take caution with your wheel of Camembert and make sure that Gouda is all good.

Fruit and dessert -- the most enjoyable course of the picnic could in fact be the finale, when you feed her a ripe strawberry, peach, slice of honeydew, or entice her with a piece of dark chocolate. A selection of small pastry is a sweet thought, just be careful with the cream filling. And that chocolate could melt by the time you want to eat it, so keep it cool.

Drink -- if you like wine and you know she does too, a bottle of good chardonnay would be the right way to go for a picnic. Don't forget the corkscrew and two wine glasses (plastic cups are out). Even better would be a bottle of champagne. You can get a small magnum of good quality bubbly for your picnic without spending an arm and a leg.

Spread the word
One final note about picnic food: spreads can make a delectable meal. If you want to skip a main course and munch on appetizers, bring along some olive tapenade, guacamole and hummus. They all go well on good bread and are simple to transport and eat while perched on one elbow on the grass.

I hope you take my advice and make the effort to get out for a picnic with that special someone. It is the ultimate way to combine nature, good food and great company.

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