Menu & tips for a romantic picnic

Feeling romantic? Good for you. With a bit of preparation and a spot of good weather a gourmet beach picnic can be yours. Memories can’t be bought, but they’re usually tasty. Here are our suggestions for a gourmet three course picnic with a few tips for packing your basket.

In the basket

Wooden board (for chopping and serving)
Dish towel
Napkins (quality paper serviettes or linen)
Wet wipes (sticky hands, sticky hand holding)
a sharp knife
an oyster knife
2 x side plates
2 x teaspoons (for the pudding)
2 x glasses (Govino champagne glasses are great for bubbles)
Candles (can be stuck straight into the sand)
Matches
A blanket
Sun cream (getting burnt on a date is horrid)

To drink

Staying hydrated is important. Fill a big bottle with water, ice, lemon and mint and store it in the fridge until just before you set out. Take a bottle of vino, some champagne or some juice and an ice bucket with ice for keeping things chilled.

The Menu

1. Oysters with three toppings (get the recipe)

Oysters are relatively easy to come by (as well as an aphrodisiac). Buy 12 – 16 fresh oysters, prepare your three toppings in advance and pop them in three airtight containers. Put the oysters in a separate container on some chipped ice and make sure you have an oyster knife and dish cloth on hand for the opening.

Read our guide to eating oysters for tips on shucking if you’re new to the oyster game.

2. Seared beef baguettes (get the recipe)

The beauty of baguettes is they can be prepped in advance, and ready-to-eat as soon as your oysters are settled. Try our seared beef baguette or freestyle it and include all of your loved ones favourite bits and bobs (cheese, pickles, charcuterie, olives)… Tying the baguette closed with a ribbon or piece of rafia keeps the tasty bits in (and looks rather good). Don’t forget the S&P.

3. A trio of crème brûlée (get the recipe)

The pyromaniac in you wants to make this for dessert in a wide open space, where flame throwing is somehow legit. Prep and cook the puddings in advance, take a jar of sugar and a blowtorch and impress the socks off your loved one with some seaside caramelising.

Still hungry?

• Melba toast and fresh dips
• Cheese platter (learn how to put together a perfect platter)
• Hot chocolate (make a flask just before you leave)
• Dark chocolate (lovely to nibble on after dinner)
• Fruit (grapes, berries or sliced melon)
• Sherry

If you venture on a picnic this Valentines day, send us a pic and who knows what might happen.