Happy Mother's Day!

Happy Mother's Day!!!

I am hoping that all the great moms out there had an amazing day! Today, I hosted a Mom's Day brunch for my fabulous mom and my sisters (who are also amazing mommys).

Here's a glimpse of what we gnashed on and the recipes you can look forward to this week!

Potato, Leek, and Zucchini Frittata




Smitten Kitchen Pear Bread





Chocolate-Covered Strawberries





Mom's Day Salad





Simple Homemade Lemonade








Super Simple Chicken Salad








Taste of Home Corn Soufflé





These tasty bites were a hit, and there were very few leftovers. The brunch I hosted today served 9 adults. Check back ASAP for detailed recipes! Have a great week!


Have you ever hosted a brunch?- What did you serve?

What did you do this Mother's Day?


Happy Eating!!!

Yum!!!

TJ's Black Bean Soup

Hello Friends!

It's been a busy week but I'm glad to be back, writing this post!

This past week I decided to take my first trip to Trader Joe's. I've been reading various food blogs and seeing lots of great comments about the store. Needless to say, these bloggers were right...Trader Joe's is awesome! They have cheap deals on organic fruits and an immense selection of dried fruits, nuts, and yummy healthy treats. It's a great grab a few, fun, healthy items store, but I don't think I could do a full grocery shopping there. If you're into pre-made organic meals, TJ's has lots of options, but pre-made really isn't my thing! I liked the cheap cheese selections and did not love the meat section or lack of deli. TJ's seems to have something for everyone but not everything for everyone. Try it out sometime, I am sure you will fall in love with at least one aspect of TJ's.

One item I ordinarily wouldn't try is pre-made soup. However, I bought a container of TJ's Black Bean Soup to keep in the cupboard for a quick dinner or a lunch once all my other food items have run out.




I tried it out tonight, it was delicious (and organic!!!). However, it was a bit watery for my liking, so I added my own D-Dates twist! Here it is, I hope that you enjoy it. You can eat it as a simple dinner or a quick snack!


Recipe:
Black Bean Soup with a D-Dates Twist
(Makes 1 Bowl-repeat to create more servings)





Ingredients:
-1 Cup of Trader Joe's Latin Style Black Bean Soup
-1/3 Cup of Cooked Brown Rice
-A Few Slices of Colby-Jack Cheese

Steps:
1. Combine all ingredients in a bowl and microwave on high 1-1.5 minutes.









Serve with tortilla chips, or toasted bread.

Does it get any easier than that?

Next time, I may also add my own beans, tomato, and onions to make it more hearty.

O.k. This meal was yummy, but I was hankering for more after my first bowl. I used this meal as inspiration and created a less healthy snack. I loved this snack so much, I think I may add it to my Mother's Day menu (keep your eye out for that).


Recipe:
Cheesy Black Bean Dip
(Serves 1-2)






Ingredients:

-1/3 Cup of Trader Joe's Latin Style Black Bean Soup
-4-5 Slices of Colby-Jack Cheese
-1 Slice of Goat Cheese (crumbled)
-Tortilla Chips (for dipping)

Steps:
1. Combine soup and cheese slices in a bowl. Microwave on high 45 seconds-1.5 mintues.
2. Stir up ingredients with a spoon.
3. Top with cheese crumbles.
4. Grab chips, dip and enjoy!








This is a slightly salty but super yummy treat.

Happy Eating!!!
Yum!!!


What are your thoughts on Trader Joe's?

What will you be adding to your Mother's Day Menu?

How do we feel about the font switch-up?

A Sausage and Peppers Mockery

Hello my blog friends. I'm so happy to check my stats and see that visitors are viewing my site everyday. I even received a comment or two, this is huge! I'm excited to get more viewers and feedback. :) Thank you friends.

This afternoon, I was starving and wanted something with substance. All I could think about was yummy, fattening sausage and peppers. I don't usually keep fatty foods in my house, so I was outta luck. What's a girl to do?...Improvise!





And improvise I did! I created a Sausage and Peppers Mockery. It was more delicious than I imagined. Here's how to make it:

Sausage and Peppers Mockery:
(Serves 4)

Ingredients:
-EVOO (thanks Rachel Ray)
- 2lbs. Ground Turkey
-2 Bell Peppers (chopped)
-1/3 Onion (chopped)
-1 t. Crushed Garlic
-Baby Spinach (optional)
-Salt
-Pepper
-2-3 Cups of Cooked Brown Rice

Steps:
1. Set skillet to medium heat. Begin by sautéing chopped peppers and onion with the oil (2-3T.) and garlic.


2. When peppers and onions start to get soft, drain out water and add turkey (be sure the turkey is broken up into bite size pieces).


3. Allow the turkey to brown. Add a few pinches of salt and lots of pepper to get that sausagey taste.
4. Flip turkey to be sure it is cooking evenly.
5. If your heart desires, add a couple of handfuls of baby spinach for a lil extra flavor.


6. Keep sautéing until turkey is browned on all sides, spinach is wilted and ingredients are thoroughly combined.
7. Once your sausage and pepper mixture is complete, you can be healthy and lay it over a bed of brown rice.

Other options include: using the mixture to make a sandwich, or add some tomato sauce and pasta to make a fancier meal.











Happy Eating!!!
Yum!!!

How do you like my old school/hippie-chic plate?
How did you make your blog more popular?
Do you make any mock-meals? Or healthful alternatives?

Rainy Day- Simple Date Idea

Rain, rain...go away!!!!


Southern New England- Radar


As you can see, Rhode Island is getting it's fair share of rain today. Booo!---just when I thought spring had finally sprung :(

Well, have no fear. There are many indoor activities to embark upon. I think I will use this rainy day to clear my head, rest up, and spend some Q.T. with my cutie.

Today we will rent (or scout our tv-guide for) a bunch of movies. Lucky for me, Mr. D-Dates doesn't have a problem with a good ol' chic flick, and lucky for him, I don't mind adventure/manly movies. Hmmm...what movies will we find/rent today?


Here are some of our all-time favorites, and common rainy day picks:




Sleepless in Seattle












Romeo and Juliet




Brew a hot cup of tea, coffee or hot chocolate and curl up with a loved one today. Don't forget the popcorn or a plate of nachos! Yum!

Stay tuned/visit Dinners&Dates frequently to get some new and more adventurous rainy day date ideas. Spoiler alert: museums, bowling, cooking classes, pottery/art classes, a day with friends/family, and more!

Happy Rainy Date Day!!!!!
Happy Weekend!!!
Happy Easter and belated Passover!


What are your go-to rainy day movies?
Foodies: what is your favorite movie snack creation?
How do you enjoy a rainy day with your lover?

Springtime Salad with a Healthy "Piña Colada" Dessert

Hello friends! If you couldn't tell by now, my favorite (and most frequently consumed) meal is salad. Whenever I need to whip up something quick, it is usually a salad. Salads are so tasty, healthy, and simple. How could you go wrong?


The weather in Rhode Island is finally warming up!





Thank goodness spring has finally sprung, let's celebrate by making and eating this yummy Springtime Salad and Piña Colada dessert!





Recipes:

Springtime Salad:
(Serves 1, repeat recipe to make multiple salads)

Ingredients:
-1 Handful of Baby Spinach
-1 Handful of Ice-burg/Radicchio Salad Mix
-1 Handful of Walnuts (crushed)
-1 Handful of Dried Cranberries
-1/2 Avacado (sliced n' diced)
-1/2 Cheese Stick (sliced into slivers)
-3 Large Chunks of Feta Cheese (crumbled)
-2 T. Sweet Blush Wine Vinaigrette

Steps:
1. Combine all ingredients on a plate (except dressing).
2. Top with dressing.
3. Indulge and enjoy!







Ok, this dessert is one that I have adapted from Dr. Oz. Check out his recipe site. He has tons of healthful and yummy food ideas! This one is one of my faves, I frequently pack it as a snack with my lunch. Try it out:

Piña Colada Dessert:
(Serves 1-repeat to make more servings)

Ingredients:

- 1/2 Cup of Pineapple Cubes
- 1 Handful of Raw Almonds
- 1 Pinch of Coconut Flakes

Steps:
1. Combine all ingredients in a bowl and enjoy!

Now you have a super tasty and super healthy meal!!





Happy eating!!!
Yum!!!

Do you have a go-to simple meal?
What are your favorite springtime foods?

No-Bake Casserole with Roasted Garlic/Herb Chicken

Greetings bloggity blogging bloggers and friends! :)

Today's recipes sound complex, but they're actually super simple! I know many people are scared of whole chickens. No need, all you have to do is rinse, top, set, and bake. Check these out and let me know what you think.







Recipes:

No-Bake Mediterranean Casserole
(serves 4)

Ingredients:
-2 Cups of Fresh Spinach
-3/4 Cup of Black Olives
-1T. Crushed Garlic
-2.5T. EVOO (olive oil)
-1 Cup of your Favorite Tomato Sauce
-2 Cups of Cooked White Rice
-1/4 Cup of Grated Parmesan
-S&P to taste

Steps:

1. Begin by sautéing EVOO, garlic, spinach, and olives in a skillet over medium heat---until spinach shrinks (5-10mins).





2. Add in sauce and cheese. Set temperature to low and let simmer (10 mins. is more than enough time).








3. Mix in rice.









Roasted Garlic/Herb Chicken

Ingredients:
-1 Whole Chicken
-Italian Seasonings
-3 T. Crushed Garlic
-S&P
-1 Cup of Water

1. (Set oven to 350) Rinse chicken and remove innards.
2. Rub chicken with salt, pepper, seasonings, and garlic.
3. Place chicken in roasting pan with 1 cup of water.
4. Bake for 20mins/lb plus 20 additional minutes.
5. Chicken is done when it's crispy on the outside and has no pink tones within the chicken when you slice it.





Do you have something that you believed to be scary, but once you've tackled it it turned out to be super simple or easy? ---in cooking, in your everyday life?

Do you prefer white or dark meat chicken?


Happy Eating!!!
Yum!!!


Chicken Roast

Impromptu NYC Trip?

Happy weekend blogging friends! I hope that you're enjoying the weekend.

I have a great date idea, but could be a date where the $$$ adds up quickly. Bare with me, I guarantee it will be a great time!

Why not take a day trip to the greatest city on earth?---New York City!!!! Better yet, why not make it a romantic get-a-way weekend? The springtime is a perfect time for a pedi-cab ride through Central Park, or a stroll through the city. There are also an infinite amount of awesome restaurants to chose from, shopping, spas, and salons. In NYC, there is obviously something for everyone!





Union Square is always entertaining with its eclectic musical and artsy gatherings. Sometimes you can catch a farmers market which is great if you'd like to indulge in a fresh lunch.





I loved this crew! You have the bassist, tapper, and xylophoning cookie monster... Haha! Great!


Here are some shots of Central Park:
(It looks beautiful in full bloom)





Beautiful fountains!





You can rent a canoe (awesome!). This is a landmark from Sex In The City, the girls would always go to the restaurant adjacent to this pond. (The pedi-cab drivers will give you all of the history/celeb info on all of the landmarks).





Beautiful bridges and landscapes!






You may even witness a real-life photo-shoot! The models were tall and beautiful.





Good-Bye NYC! I will miss you.
Here is a shot of NYC from Hoboken, NJ.
I'm sure I will be back for a visit soon. Can't Wait!

Do you have a go-to day-trip place you love?
How do we feel about a trip to Boston?