Need menu ideas for a picnic.
 

Dear Pelican braintrust,

I am flying into Baton Rouge this weekend to hang out with some old friends. During my trip I will be staying with an 'old friend' that I want to take out on a date Saturday night. We were going to go to some restaurant, but I want to do something more interesting. We are doing to be going on a sunset dinner at a park.

Heres where I need you guys. What to serve? Finger food such as strawberries and cheese? Or a full blown meal? I am going to need my energy that night. :D

P.S. No chocolate or sweets such as whip cream. Fruit is allowed. Someone is on a Lenten diet.

finger food huh? Hmmmmm....

Whoops forgot to add that she likes Pinot Grigio. I am not much of a wino, and so I don't have to crack open a bud light are there any 'buttery' wines out there that I might like?

Either get something light (fruit and cheese is fine with a bottle of wine) or call a nice restaurant and get something nice catered in.

Oh, we need photos of this as well!

Red snapper

Buttery? Not following. If you don't really like wine (ie a dry drink), try Riesling - it's very sweet. I find it difficult to ever recommend a white over a red... but red wine is, admittedly, an acquired taste.

Thats the after dinner sweet! :)

Try melon, grapes, apple and cheese (brie w/ crackers, parmagiano reggianno, just no Kraft American Singles) with the wine. Like CJ said, bring a Riesling along with the Pinot Grigio just to be safe. And don't forget to bring an opener.

hmm Riesling, need to look it up. Nothing speaks classy like Kraft American Singles!

Pick food, as we call it. Fruit of almost all types (pineapple, grapes, melon, etc..). Pears go very well with robust cheeses like bleu. A good crusty loaf of bread. Some hummus or olive tepanade works good too. My all-time favorite is fried chicken, particularly drumsticks.

You can also toss in pickles, olives, salami, pepperoni, marinated artichoke hearts, or any other pickled veggies.

Sometimes shrimp with cocktail sauce works well, or some drawn butter too.

Just think finger foods.

Ok now we are talking. I might be able to swing the shrimp and cocktail sauce.

Salami, check.

Are you flying in to NOLA or Baton Rouge? Since you're staying with friends, I assume you will have to purchase your food rather than have a kitchen to prepare it. You're both students, yes?

As far as Pinot Grigio, her palate likely isn't that sophisticated so an inexpensive Bella Sera Pinot will likely be OK or even an Eco Domani PG won't break the bank. Buttery: Cakebread chardonay. Don't forget the wine key lest you look foolish in the park. Pick up a few glass wine glasses...much better in the park than plastic cups.

Food....hmmmmmm. A fresh baguete, a wedge of brie, thin sliced prosciutto, a green apple, a chilled pasta salad, etc? Or a pound of chilled, peeled shrimp? For desert, some amaretto biscotti.

Persoanllay I would get a mufaleta, some Zapp's, some Abita and call it a day:D...

Rotisserie chicken, nice cheese and baguette for dinner. Finger food all around.
Tupperware filled with Sliced strawberries with a splash of balsamic and some sugar for dessert. Gonna need a fork unless you like sticky fingers :)
White wine for both... I'd recommend a Riesling or Gewürztraminer with the chicken and a Moscato d'Asti with dessert.

I am flying into BR. She has her own house with three other chicks so I have access to a kitchen. Also I can make one heck of a shrimp cocktail.

Well you don't wanna be cooking...at least not in the kitchen:cool:

But if you do want to prepare the food, in lieu of rotisserrie chicken try roasting a cornish game hen or two with taragon, salt, pepper as seasoning. Much more "special" than a chicken...very tatsty.

One more pointer...whatever you get/make, don't overdo the amounts. Think tapas portions so you are lugging a bunch of leftovers out of the park. Purchase/prepare a minimal amount. If you get hungry later in the evening make her an omlette and serve it to her in bed.;)

As far as the rieslings, etc...too damn sweet if you ask me...

All great ideas. I think baking a bird is a little out of my league though. There is an awesome Bakery I know in town that I'll get my loaf at, and I know where to get the wine and cheese. It's the main course that is throwing me off.

I think you just need to go with the boiled, chilled shrimp. Some fruit and mild cheese.

Call a catering place nearby and get something put together for you.

^ pricey?

I dunno; call and find out.

How good is the booty?

Heck Caraba's curbside takeout would fit the bill if there's one close by.