Nice/posh possibly hot picnic food ideas please?

[randomtask]

DH and I have one day off together (without DS) these holidays which is Thursday. We've arranged to stay in a Travel Lodge type hotel which doesn't do food on Wednesday evening (driving up once I finish work). They don't do food apart from the Little Chef across the road and it's in the middle of nowhere. Both of us hate motorway food (I'm veggie and he used to be) plus would like to just 'be there'.

So I was thinking, what can I/he make that we can transport to have a 'romantic picnic' in our hotel room? I'll have already had sandwiches for lunch so would like something a 'little different'. The drive will hopefully only be an hour and a half so I'm wondering if DH heats 'whatever' up before he leaves and we put it in my 'cool bag' rucksack, would it still be hot/warm? If not, I also have a small flask (probably half a litre at most) but would be willing to buy a larger one if I could think of what to put in it. The cool bag has plates/bowls/cutlery etc so that won't be a problem.

Any ideas? I'm sure it's obvious and I'm just having a 'can't see the wood for the trees' moment!!

[StirlingTheTired]

I have posted this before but it is a nice one - especially for adults..

Takes a bit of planning but make bread dough as normal. Let it rise. Roll it out to a rough oval shape.

Spread sun dried tomato paste in centre. Then chop some mozzarella and put a line of it down the centre of the dough. Rip some basil over the cheese, then rip some palma ham (or any ham) over that. I put a couple of hard boiled eggs in now and then put more mozzarella, basil and ham.

I see you are a vegetarian - so just leave out the ham or add anything you like!

Now close it up by taking the dough from one side and cover the top, then do the same with the other side and close up the ends.

Put on baking tray and bake for approx 20/25 mins.

I slice it when it comes out and then wrap tightly in foil and take it out to the picnic (or have even taken into hospital when ds was in). It stays warm for a while.

You can try differernt fillings, depends what you like

[randomtask]

That sounds yummy. Do you reckon it'd stay warm for 2 hours if I cut it up once we're at the hotel?

DH is currently planning on doing a 'baked potato trial run' tomorrow but I don't think it sounds half as exciting....

[Dophus]

Homemade quiche is easy and nice.

[Dophus]

and at its best when lukewarm

[allaboutme]

soup in a big thermos and nice crusty bread?
or how about cold food but really nice stuff like smoked salmon salad etc

[Cies]

What about a tart - maybe goats cheese and sundried tomatoes, seeing as you're veggie. If you weren't I'd recommend smoked salmon tart. YUM.

I'd also take along a nice bottle of champagne /wine and some exotic fruit.

[randomtask]

Oh good point about quiche. I like making that and then all DH needs to do is cook it. It's silly as I'm working and he's on holiday but I want to feel like I've done part of it.

[Cies]

You could also make or buy some gazpacho - chill at home and transport in your flask.

[randomtask]

We're definitely taking a bottle of something - seemed to be DH's first thought....

I might take cold fridge in the flask I already have and take chocolate instant whip. We both like that with raspberry coolie at the bottom which I could make before and put it all together there.

[notwavingjustironing]

Frittata ?

[spectacular]

I would just take a selection of yummy cheeses, a loaf of walnut bread and a large bowl of green salad. Served with copious amounts of red wine.

[littleducks]

I was going to post the same as Stirling i do the veggies version is really nice and stays warm for ages wrpped unsliced in tin foil

I absolutely love this www.higgidy.co.uk/pages/whatsCooking/popups/largePies.aspx?pie=AsparagusHerbySummerVegetableQ uiche quiche