Spring is in the air - the grass has just got greener, the day a little brighter; it's the perfect time to fill your basket with lip-smacking goodies and set out for a refreshing day under a warm summer sun. The season just shouldn't pass by without at least one meal eaten outdoors.
You can mix and match to suit your tastes and nothing could be better than creating your own gourmet picnic - crusty pies, layered sandwiches, crisp breads and creamy tarts. A bottle or two of something chilled to sip in the shade will complete the picture. So, spread out the checked cloths and indulge in an afternoon of rest and relaxation. Lounge on the grass and hope that the sunny weather will match up to the food....

CHOCOLATE FLAN TART
TART BASE
Ingredients: Flour, 300 gms; Sugar, 100 gms; Egg, 1 unit; Butter, 200 gms; Vanilla essence, 10 ml; Coco powder, 20 gms.
Method: Cream the butter, sugar and Orange zest. Add in the egg slowly and continue to mix well. Once the butter is soft add the flour, coco powder and make a dough. Let it cool for 1 hour. Make the tart shell and bake it at 180°C for 15 minutes.
CHOCOLATE FLAN
Ingredients: Dark chocolate, 400 gms; Cream, 100 ml; Egg yolk, 4 units; Sugar, 200 gms; Whipped cream, 300 gms; Gelatin, 10 gms.
Method: Boil the cream and add in the chocolate. Make truffle and set aside. Make a hot sabayon with sugar. Add the sabayon to the truffle and melted gelatin and set the mixture aside till it reaches room temperature. Finely fold the whipped cream and pour into the baked tart shell. Refrigerate for 2 hours. Garnish with chocolate flakes.