Crafting the Ultimate Couples Picnic Spread
Picnics make for ideal romantic date activities. The fresh air, scenic views, and chance to unwind together away from crowds appeals to couples. But coming up with picnic food ideas that are cute, simple, and transport well can prove tricky.
Having meals collapse, spill everywhere, or get infiltrated by bugs certainly ruins the idyllic vibe. To help assemble picnic perfection for you and your sweetheart, here we detail creative yet practical spread ideas.
Build a Shareable Picnic Board
For cute, coordinated couple picnic vibes, design a shareable grazing board together. Shop for a portable bamboo board or wood tray you can transport easily. Include small containers to prevent foods from touching.
Fill with an array of your favorite fruits, cheeses, crackers and nuts. You can get creative with themes: a southwestern fiesta board with avocado, queso, and chips or antipasto skewers with mozzarella, tomatoes, artichokes and salami.
Building the board together makes for fun foreplay to the meal. Develop inside jokes about items you each contribute.
Skewer Healthy Proteins and Produce
Nothing suits picnic dining quite like kebabs and skewers. The portable pieces make dining easy without utensils. You dont have to worry about dishes tipping over either.
Load up wooden skewers with summer produce like cherry tomatoes, squash slices, pineapple chunks and peaches. Intersperse with lean proteins like shrimp or chicken.
For planning simplicity, construct skewers the night before and store in sealable containers. Lightly brush or toss with dressing or marinades right before eating so they dont get soggy.
Prepare Single-Serving Mason Jar Salads
Take salad up a notch by constructing individual mason jar salads to shake up and enjoy on site. Layer your favorite leafy greens, chopped veggies, proteins and toppings to create pretty, compact meals.
Some fun combinations to try: taco salad with beef, beans, salsa and tortilla strips or Thai chicken with cabbage, carrots, almonds, ginger dressing and chopped peanuts.
Pack the dry ingredients in the bottom with heavier items, then dressing on top. When ready to eat, put on lid, shake vigorously and enjoy right from the portable jar container.
Make Petite Sandwiches and Wraps
While regular sandwiches often fall apart on picnics, downsizing to tea sandwiches and wraps makes transport a breeze. Use a cookie cutter to create cute, dainty sandwiches with bite-sized bread slices.
Good petite sandwich fillings include chicken salad, cucumber and cream cheese, turkey and cranberry sauce, brie with fig or date jam and curried egg salad. Wrap in parchment then a paper towel to prevent sogginess.
For wraps, skip large burrito-sized wraps in favor of 6 to 8-inch sized tortillas. They make sampling a variety of petite wraps easy. Offer an assortment of global flavors: falafel, banh mi and jerk chicken for example.
Pack Single-Serve Pot Pies
Reimagine this comfort food classic into portable individual pot pies that make darling picnic fare. Line small ramekins with store-bought rolled pie dough. Fill with prepared chicken, turkey or veggie pot pie filling.
Top pies with a second dough round, crimp shut and cut slits for ventilation. Chill thoroughly then bake until golden. Transport the petite pies carefully wrapped in insulated picnic bags.
When ready to dine, reheat the pot pies gently at your picnic site (a portable burner helps). Enjoy with a crisp salad like kale Caesar and crusty bread for a well-rounded meal.
Essential Extras for a Couples Picnic
Now that the meals look dreamy, lets ensure we have essential extras covered to optimize romance and fun. Picnicking necessitates some special considerations for setup, seating and ambiance.
Provide Comfortable, Sturdy Seating
No one enjoys natures splendor quite as much when sitting on bumpy rocks and ground. Pack an easily transportable picnic blanket along with a padded cover. Having back support makes longer stays more pleasurable.
Lightweight, folding camping or beach chairs prove useful for elevating feet too. If weights allow, toss in some throw pillows as well. Getting cozy together enhances the experience.
Set the Mood with Music and Lighting
Picnics already feel magical, but extra touches like music and lighting amplify the romance exponentially. Bring a portable Bluetooth speaker to play your favorite playlists. String fairy or bistro lights above your picnic set-up if possible.
As the sun sets, the glowing lights instantly transform spaces into cozily-lit restaurants. Place flameless electronic candles around as well for bonus ambiance. Bring citronella versions if dining areas have bugs.
Pack Special Extras Like Games and Polaroid Cameras
While the food provides sustenance, extra entertainment makes picnics lively and gives you activities to enjoy together. Bring a deck of cards for classic two-person games like Rummy or War. Portable cornhole sets work for competitive couples!
Instant cameras like Polaroids make capturing sweet candid couple shots simple. String up the printed photos with mini clothespins on a portable line or banner as mementos. It offers a adorable chronicle and decor element.
Relish Endpoint Cleanup Help
After all the careful prep and event execution, the last thing anyone wants to face post-picnic is intensive cleaning. Finding disposable or reusable options cuts down the ending workload substantially.
Stock up on paper plates, bamboo cutlery, and napkins so minimal Dish duty awaits you. For foods requiring utensils, rely on individual skewers or wraps you can eat by hand instead. Use reusable storage containers for easy transport home of leftovers.
With the right tools and streamlined approach, picnicking offers an idyllic, hassle-free date activity for couples. Get ready to dine sweetly al fresco all summer long!
FAQs
What are some good shareable foods to bring on a couples picnic?
Great shareable options include grazing boards with fruits, cheeses and nuts; kebab skewers with produce and proteins; mason jar salads; and petite sandwiches or wraps.
How do you make a picnic more romantic for couples?
Set the mood with music, string lights, candles and games. Pack comfortable seating like blankets, pillows and folding chairs. Capture moments together with a Polaroid camera.
What should you pack to make picnic cleanup easier?
Use disposable paper plates, napkins and bamboo cutlery to minimize dishwashing. Transport foods in reusable containers. Rely on handheld skewered or wrapped foods over dishes requiring utensils.
Why do couples enjoy picnic dates?
Picnics allow quality time together in scenic nature spots away from crowds and routine. The fresh air, pretty views, and chance to relax over tasty foods appeals to romantic couples.
Disclaimer: This article is for informational purposes only and does not constitute medical advice. Always consult with a healthcare professional before starting any new treatment regimen.
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