Sunday, March 27, 2011

Date- Bubble Tea House

Have you ever heard of bubble tea or boba tea? I had never heard of it until recently, when I came across a couple of articles about it.

I decided to investigate bubble tea for myself this weekend and bring you my second date idea. I highly recommend checking out the Bubble Tea House on Westminster Street in Providence. It is right across the street from Classical High School.




Bubble tea is a drink that was created in Japan. It is a tea beverage that is mixed in with fruit, milk or juice. There are many variations and combinations. It also contains small 'boba' pearls, or "tapioca chewy balls" like they call them at the Bubble Tea House.

The boba pearls part of the drink FREAKED me out, as I am NOT a huge fan of tapioca pudding. I decided I would put my fears aside and try it out anyways. Boy, I was pleasantly surprised! The boba pearls have a similar texture and taste to gummy candies. They were sweet and chewy, but be careful not to drink too fast, these suckers could slide right down your throat!!





I ordered a small peach snowy bubble tea and it was delicious. It was very sweet and would be a perfect treat on a hot day. Mr. D-Dates tried a large plain lemon bubble tea. The lemon bubble tea was less sweet but just as delicious. When I go again, I will be sure to order a large, it is only 25 cents more and quite a bit bigger! Yum!

The Bubble Tea house has a unique atmosphere with its big bamboo pillars and Asian inspired decor. There are couches and tables you can sit at and catch up with your loved one. It's always fun to try new things together.

This would also be a great place for a first date. You can sit down and talk and get to know each other while indulging in a sweet, different treat. It is like your average coffee house with an exciting, unique twist.





Here are the tops of our bubble teas. Be sure to check out the cool sealing machine, that applies these unique cup-toppers.


Bubble Tea House
849 Westminster Street
Providence, RI 02903

(401) 351-0049

Do you know of any unique drink or dinning venues in the area?
Do you think coffee/tea shops are a good location for a first date?

Saturday, March 26, 2011

Lazy Weekend Supper

Sometimes weekends are a necessity for relaxing and replenishing our bodies. Therefore, sometimes cooking on the weekend feels more like a chore than anything else. I had an amazingly relaxing day and whipped up the simplest dinner ever!

Messy Mac n' Cheese with a Ms. D-Dates Side Salad


Recipes:

Messy Mac n' Cheese
Made by the bowl (1 serving)

Ingredients:
  • 3/4 Cup of Cooked Pasta
  • 1.5 T. Of 2% Milk
  • 1 Handful of Shredded Cheddar Cheese
  • Salt
  • Pepper
  • A Sprinkle of Parmesan Cheese
Steps:



1. Mix all ingredients into a bowl.



2. Microwave mixture on high 1.5 minutes; stop and stir mixture every 25 seconds...you do not want your cheese to burn.



3. Once the mixture is all melted and ooey gooey, sprinkle with a bit of parmesan and it is ready to be indulged!



Ms. D-Dates Side Salad

Make by the bowl (1 serving)



Ingredients:
  • 1 Bag of your Favorite Mixed Greens (I used a baby spinach mix)
  • 2 T. of Tabouleh Salad
  • A Few Slices of Cucumber
  • 1 T. of Goat Cheese
  • 2 T. of Balsamic Dressing (or your fave)

Steps:

1. Place 3/4 Cup of salad mix into a bowl.

2. Mix in the rest of the ingredients and enjoy!


Happy Eating!
Yum!

Do you have any go-to, easy meals?
What types of foods do you enjoy on a lazy day?

Friday, March 25, 2011

Welcome the weekend, welcome the first date idea!

T.G.I.F!!!!---Who's with me? 



Since it is finally the weekend, we need to start thinking what we can do within the next two days in order to have some fun.  We also need to refresh ourselves for the next five work days ahead!  Since it is March, the weather is chilly, but there are still some fun ways to hang out with the ones we love before the weather fully heats up.  

My idea for this weekend is bundling up with sweaters, scarves, and hats, packing a picnic and heading outdoors.  If you head down to the John H. Chafee Nature Preserve at Rome Point, you can take a short wooded hike down to the bay.  



Upon arrival at the shore of the bay, you will see seals gathered up on a group of rocks within the ocean known as the "Seven Sisters".  This time of year is best for seeing the seals.  It is best to go one hour prior to low tide and up to one hour after (click the link to check tide times).  It is also best to bring binoculars as the rocks are a distance off shore.  The seals will be sunning themselves and if you're lucky, you may see some seals showing off; jumping and doing some tricks in the water.  







The trails are absolutely beautiful; scenic bay views with ducks and geese swimming around.  The seals are also cute!  It is such an amazing place and it is absolutely FREE.  So head out this weekend, check out the seals and if you have a pup, bring him along for the hike---he'll love you for it!  I hope that you get to see a TON of seals and that they are showing off for you. 






Do you know of any other cool hiking locations?
Do you know of any other free and fun nature acivities in the area?
What is your favorite outdoor spot this time of year?      

Thursday, March 24, 2011

Mom's Stuffed Peppers & an AMAZING Dessert!---You're gonna love this one!

Welcome back friends!

Every family has recipes that they make regularly, but how often do they get to share them?---Not very...right?  Well, tonight I am going to share one of my favorites with you, stuffed peppers.  In our family we make them with rice, beef, sauce, and cheese rather than a traditional bread stuffing.  This recipe is so easy and so delicious!  It would be great to serve to guests for a get-together or just for the fam on a relaxing night.  I hope that you enjoy this recipe...Let me know what you think.

 
(...Just wait for me to reveal my delicious dessert...or scroll down and ruin the surprise! ha!)

Recipes:
Mom's Stuffed Peppers
(Makes 5)

Ingredients:
  • 5  (medium-large) Green Bell Peppers
  • 5 Cups of Prepared/Cooked Rice
  • 3 Cups of Your Favorite Tomato Sauce
  • 1.25 lbs of Lean Ground Beef
  • 1 Cup of Shredded Mozzarella Cheese
  • Salt
  • Pepper
Steps: 

1.  Cook beef thoroughly in a frying pan set to medium heat (add salt and pepper to taste).  Drain grease.  Turn off stove top.
2.  Mix in 2 cups of tomato sauce.
3.  Mix in rice slowly (a little at a time).
4.  Cut around the stem of the pepper to remove the top and the seeds.
5.  Fill the peppers with the rice/beef/sauce mixture.



6.  Top the filled peppers off with a couple spoonfuls of tomato sauce each.



7.  Cover sauced peppers loosely with foil.
8.  Place covered peppers in oven at 350 degrees Fahrenheit for 35-40 mins.
9.  Peppers are ready when they are loosing green color and are getting slightly pruned.
10.  Cover cooked peppers with shredded cheese and bake uncovered an additional 5-7mins.

....And TaaaDaaaah!!!  Now you can enjoy my Mom's delicious stuffed peppers!!!


O.K....So are you ready for the even better part????---Seriously, so easy and so amazing!

And

the

best

part

is...

A Fried Chocolate and Strawberry Quesadilla!
Serves 4 (if you love sweets, serves 2-3...or 1, if you are really bad!---wink! wink!)

Ingredients:
  • A Few Slivers of Butter
  • 2 Flour Tortillas
  • 5-8 Strawberries (I used defrosted frozen berries)
  • 1/2 Cup of Chocolate Chips
  • Vanilla Ice Cream (for topping-4 scoops)


Steps:

1.  Set stove top to medium heat.  Put large frying pan on heat with a pat of butter. 
2.  Place one flour tortilla in the pan with the strawberries and chocolate chips centered in the tortilla. 


3.  Place the other tortilla on the top.
4.  Once the bottom tortilla is lightly browned (in about 5mins), carefully flip and lightly brown the other side.



O.K.--So at this point it may not look super amazing, but believe me, IT IS!

5.  Slice into four pieces and top with vanilla ice cream.


Alrighty...here it is...a tiny little piece of heaven!  Hope you love it as much as me and my Mr. D-Dates!

Happy Eating!
Yum!


Do you have any traditional family recipes?  Please share with us and tell us other traditions you participate in other than eating...

Do you celebrate girls' nights?
Do you have a specific holiday tradition that is special to you? 

Tuesday, March 22, 2011

BBQ Pulled Chicken Sandwiches and Tomato-Rice Salad

Good Afternoon Friends!
It is time for my first Tasty Tuesday.  It is only Tuesday, but for me the week has already been pretty hectic.  Therefore, I decided to whip up one of my easiest recipes:  BBQ Pulled Chicken Sandwiches.  I had some brown rice leftover in the fridge, so I decided to make a quick and simple tomato-rice salad to go with my sandwiches.  I hope that you enjoy these as much as my family.  They are always requested for all of our get-togethers! 


Recipes:
BBQ Pulled Chicken Sandwiches
(Makes 4)

Ingredients:
  • 1lb Chicken Breast
  • 1/2 Cup of Water
  • 1/3-1/2 Cup of your favorite BBQ sauce (I used Sweet Baby Rays)
  • 1 Package of Bulkie Rolls
Steps:

1.  Place chicken breast, water, and BBQ sauce in a slow cooker.  Cover and set to low.  Cook on low for 6 hours. 

                                      This is what your cooked BBQ chicken will look like!     

2.  Use a fork to seperate/pull chicken apart.  

 
 3.  Now your chicken is ready to be placed on the Bulkie Rolls to create sandwiches.  I like to lightly   toast the rolls first. 

Other tasty options are to add some toppings like:  cheese, lettuce, tomato, beans, extra BBQ, onion, or anything you like!

Tomato-Rice Salad:
(Makes 4 Servings)

Ingredients:
  • 1 Medium Tomato
  • 1/2 of a Cucumber
  • 1 Scallion
  • 1/2 Cup of (cooked) Corn
  • 1/3 Cup of your favortie Italian Dressing
  • 1.5-2 Cups of Rice (I used brown, but white is also delicious)
Steps:
  1. Cut up the tomato into small pieces and place into bowl.
  2. Peel and chop cumcumber; add to the bowl.
  3. Chop scallion and add it to the bowl as well.
  4. Mix corn into the bowl along with the dressing.
  5. Put the rice into the bowl and mix all ingredients well.
  6. The longer this mixture sits, the more flavorful it will become!



Happy Eating!
Yum!

Monday, March 21, 2011

The First Day of Spring...The First Day of Dinners&Dates!


I'm starting a blog to offer quick, simple meal ideas along with fun date ideas. The ideas will cater to the average American woman dealing with everyday life along with the stresses of a long-lasting recession. Life can be stressing, but dinners and dates can be fun, easy and inexpensive.

Are you thinking I'm young and single how will this site interest me? Have no fear!...many of the date ideas could easily be used as a fun night out with friends, or a new theme for your next girls' night.

Dinners&Dates is coming to you from the smallest state which is Rhode Island. Many of the ideas will be New England themed or from various places around the region. Readers from all over are encouraged to follow me as my ideas can be found most anywhere in some way, shape or form.