During the spring and summer months a picnic at the park, beach or in the country may be a great idea. So let's make it simple but unusual and at the very least, romantic. All you need is your sweetheart and a picnic basket. You should include, of course, rose and wine or bubbly (Champagne).

My favorite is picnic á la Française which means making it as you go with an assortment of sausages, pates, sliced meats, fruits, cheeses, Dijon mustard and of course a fresh baked baguette of French bread. Depending on where you live and your nationality, you may wish to include appropriate local delicacies. It is a good idea to bring a blanket also to display the contents of the food basket and also to relax on after the Love Bite.

My favorite spots are parks, beaches or cliffs overlooking the water. Try to find an isolated spot since it is a romantic picnic especially if drinking wine or if romancing leads to… well, a cave is good also!

THE MENU

As for the menu, here is a list of ingredients you can purchase. Many items are available in ¼ lb. quantities. Mix and match as much as you like, depending on who you will be with and how long you intend this Valentine Love Bite to last.

Baguette of French bread or Italian bread, Cuban bread, Jewish rye, or other favorite.

Dijon mustard; spicy brown mustard; champagne mustard; horseradish sauce; mayonnaise; paté de foie gras; paté de campagne; truffle paté; or other favorite.

Sausages come in a large variety of flavors and nationality brands (make sure they need no cooking); also salamis, either hard or soft. Ready to eat meats include turkey roast, roast beef, corned beef, pastrami or any smoked products. In some stores you can find pre-cooked petite Cornish hens which would also go well with this picnic.

Fruits I would include are apples, pears, strawberries, peaches and melons and grapes.

Cheeses such a Camembert, Brie, Swiss, Canadian strong cheddar, goat cheese, or other ethnic favorites.

Wines can be varied. I would bring one bottle of red Bordeaux or Beaujolais or white Chardonnay or white Briolo. As for Champagne, I like Rose D'Anjou de Neuville or Perrier Jouet, Corbel or Frixenet. An ice chest will keep your wine or Champagne cold.

Beside the picnic basket and blanket you will need napkins (red or heart designs) plastic plates and a good bread knife and spreader; wine opener; glasses; fat candles and a portable CD or audio cassette player. Don't forget the roses.

Master Chef Comments: Because these are all finger foods, part of the romance can be feeding each other. All I can say is all you need is a little sunshine or the sound of the ocean waves and your sweetheart for a memorable romantic picnic. Let your hair down and enjoy the beautiful setting and your beautiful companion. Have fun and eat all day and all the way into the night if you want. This will be a picnic to remember. Right? But of Course!

                          Keep on romancing, from your Lovingyou.com
                          Resident Romantic Master Chef
                          Jacques Prudhomme

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