Romantic Food Ideas
to Make Your Picnic Special

When you are looking for romantic food ideas for picnics remember to take things easy.
Even though you want everything to be perfect it is best to keep things simple.

Look for food that is a bit special and not something you would eat everyday.
Mediterranean style food can always give you romantic picnic food ideas. It can be exotic and elegant but is easy to prepare and eat.

Keep It Simple

Simple To Prepare

Don't get stressed out in the kitchen.
Enjoy yourself preparing your romantic food ideas.

Simple to Pack

Plastic boxes with sealable lids are very convenient for packing food. They come in all shapes, sizes and colours. Place your food elegantly inside the box, on a lettuce leaf or doily. Snap on the lid and pack the boxes on top of one another inside your picnic basket or bag.
Wrap a chiller-block in a hand towel to keep everything cool and place this on top of your food boxes.

When you arrive at your picnic spot just take off the lid and your meal is ready to eat.

Simple to Carry

When you are thinking of romantic food ideas consider how you are going to carry the food to the picnic.

Picnic baskets look good. They give a romantic, old fashioned feel to the occasion. But baskets can be heavy and awkward to carry. If you have to walk even a short distance to the picnic spot think about using a backpack or a bag on wheels.There are so many around now.

Lots of bags have built in compartments for cutlery, plates, and glasses. Look for a one that is insulated and doubles as a cooler.

Or take two bags. One insulated for the food and another for plates tableware etc.

Simple to Eat

Cutting food is difficult on uneven surfaces so finger foods make good romantic food ideas. Bite size pieces that can just be popped into your mouth make a delicious taste experience.
Another nice thing about small finger food is that you can bring several different options and share them all!

Take a couple of plates and glasses or pack the meals individually so that each person has their own.

If you plan to take larger items of food, like a pie or cake, cut them up in the kitchen before you pack. It is much easier than trying to do it at the picnic.

Fruit is best cut into small pieces. A squeeze of lemon juice will help it keep its colour.
Avoid food that needs to be kept frozen. Icecream is sure to melt! Steer away from food that will go soggy or soft.

If you decide to take food that needs a sauce take the sauce seperately in a small pot with a tight lid. Add it to the food just before you eat to keep everything crisp.

Simple to Clean Up

Nobody wants to spend ages packing away leftovers when there are more exciting things to do.

Some paper towels, wet wipes and a bag for rubbish make things easy.

Some Aphrodisiac Foods

Some foods are traditional aphrodisiacs and are good romantic food ideas for fun on a romantic picnic.

Everyone knows these foods are supposed to be aphrodisiacs;

Oysters
Caviar
Strawberries
Champagne or any wine
Chocolate

But what about othe food that has been used for romance over the ages.

Asparagus was served to 19th century bridegrooms due to its reputed aphrodisiac powers.
Avocado is delicious sliced with balsamic vinegar and ground pepper. A squeeze of lemon juice will stop it turning brown.
Banana can be sliced on a dessert platter. It is rich in potassium and B vitamins, necessities for sex hormone production
Basil is said to stimulate the sex drive and boost fertility. Add it to salad or any tomato dish.
Carrots were used for seduction by early Middle Eastern royalty since ancient times.They are high in vitamins and beta-carotene. Use them grated in salads or serve slices of carrot cake .
Coriander was mentioned as an aphrodisiac in the Arabian Nights 1000's of years ago.
It adds a real tang and extra flavour to any salad.
Fennel contains natural plant estrogens and its use as an aphrodisiac dates back to the Egyptian times.
Figs were celebrated by ancient Greeks in sexual rituals.
Garlic is said to stir sexual desires. Enjoy it together in a pasta with a light garlicky sauce.
Ginger root raw, cooked or crystallized is a stimulant to the circulatory system.
Serve a stir-fry with freshly grated ginger or chocolate covered ginger for dessert.
Honey was used in Egyptian times to cure sterility and impotence. Lovers in medieval times drank mead made from honey to "sweeten" their marriage.
Liquorice is said to enhance love and lust.
Nutmeg was highly prized by Chinese women as an aphrodisiac. You can use it in desserts and to flavour main meals.
Pine nuts are rich in zinc which is a key mineral necessary to maintain male potency. Great to add crunch to a salad.
Pineapple is rich in vitamin C and and is used in the homeopathic treatment for impotence.
Try a pina colada in the evening.
Radish was considered a divine aphrodisiac by Egyptian pharoahs because its spicy taste stimulated the palate. A few radishes in your salad gives it a spicy tang.
Truffles are also considered to be an aphrodisiac maybe due to their rarity and musky aroma.
They are probably too expensive for most of us to take on a romantic picnic!