Date Night Blog Collaboration with DearSerendipity

My friend from high school, Emily Piskulick, writes a darling fashion blog called DearSerendipity. We collaborated our two passions–food and fashion–to create two date night ideas. One is more casual with a classic jean look and chicken dish. The other is a bit fancy with a pretty dress and gourmet pasta.

For a casual date night, this dinner is easy to prepare and delicious to enjoy. The lemon pepper chicken from Life’s Ambrosia is flavored by a zesty marinade. The spinach salad with balsamic vinaigrette is full of colorful veggies. A side of Uncle Ben’s wild rice, or any flavor that you like, will be a nice balance and will only take a few minutes to cook. Store-bought or homemade angel food cake with strawberries and whipped cream is a light, no-bake dessert.

This pesto and shrimp pasta tastes as gourmet as it looks. Plus, the leftovers double in flavor the next day. Any roasted vegetable would pair beautifully with the pasta. I chose asparagus, but squash, tomatoes or yellow zucchini also be complementary. The side of bread is an extra touch, but not essential. A giant pizookie (pizza-cookie), like this one from Serious Eats, is fun to share with a date.

Emily has all the details about the outfits on her DearSerendipity post! Check it out and share the link with your friends. You could even pass the link on to your significant other as a hint for a date night ;)

Tuna Melt

It’s the fresh 9-grain bread that makes this Tuna Melt gourmet. On my latest HERBan Explorer post you’ll learn how to make this simple and inexpensive meal for yourself.

I like making my Tuna Melts open-faced with sliced tomatoes. Plus, the addition of hot sauce kicks up the flavors. You can have fun with your own combination, too! Along with the step-by-step photographed recipe you can read more about my adventure at the Saturday market.

Balsamic Vinaigrette

Balsamic Vinaigrette is a light and flavorful dressing to top any kind of salad. To get my favorite balsamic vinaigrette recipe, visit the latest post on my HERBan Explorer blog.

Did you know that there is a science behind making a perfectly balanced salad? In the post you will also find out about the ideal combination of flavors and textures.

Mac and Cheese

I’ll be the first to admit that Kraft Mac and Cheese rocks, but when you’re feeling more gourmet try this homemade Macaroni and Cheese recipe. The creaminess and cheesiness are a perfect duet–not overpowering or too rich. The breadcrumbs and cheese topping add a nice texture and flavor for the finishing touch. Bottom line – homemade Mac and Cheese is good ol’ comfort food.

Macaroni and Cheese                                                                                               Adapted from Betty Crocker

Ingredients

• 2 cups uncooked elbow macaroni (7 ounces)
• 1/4 cup butter or margarine + 1 tablespoon for topping
• 1/4 cup all-purpose flour
• 1/4 teaspoon salt
• 1/4 teaspoon seasoned salt
• 1/4 teaspoon pepper
• 1/4 teaspoon ground mustard
• 1/4 teaspoon Worcestershire sauce
• 2 cups milk
• 2 cups shredded or cubed Cheddar cheese (8 ounces)
• 1/3 cup seasoned breadcrumbs

Directions

1. Heat oven to 350ºF.
2. Cook macaroni as directed on package.
3. While macaroni is cooking, melt 1/4 cup butter in 3-quart saucepan over low heat. Stir in flour, salt, seasoned salt, pepper, mustard and Worcestershire sauce.
4. Cook over medium low heat, stirring constantly, until mixture is smooth and bubbly; remove from heat. Stir in milk.
5. Heat to boiling, stirring constantly. Boil and stir 1 minute. Stir in cheese. Cook, stirring occasionally, until cheese is melted.
6. Drain macaroni. Gently stir macaroni into cheese sauce.
7. Pour into ungreased 2-quart casserole. Top with breadcrumbs. Break up the 1 tablespoon of butter into pieces on top of the breadcrumbs.
8. Bake uncovered 20 to 25 minutes or until bubbly.

If by some chance you end up having leftovers (it’s so good you may not), this Mac and Cheese would be great warmed up the next day. Enjoy!

Baking Day 2011

Yesterday my family and I had our annual baking day. We make our favorite traditional recipes just in time for the Christmas festivities. I blogged about several of these recipes last year, but I want to share them with you again because they are so sweet and so easy. Here are a few photos from the day, some captured by Instagram.

Me wearing the holiday baking apron my Aunt Buffy made for me!

My Aunt Carol’s Almond Bark Mix is the best combination of salty and sweet. The recipe is so simple–mix together the cereal, pretzels, nut and M&M’s and add melted Almond Bark. Lay out to dry and ta-dah! All done.

Pretzel Buttons are just as simple. M&M’s pressed into Hershey’s Hugs melted on top of pretzels. Just a few simple steps for a must-bake recipe.

Haystacks are made of chow mein noodles, chocolate, peanut butter and butterscotch. That’s all! A little touch of holiday sprinkles and you’re set for Christmas.

Remember the Scrabble Mix I blogged about a few days ago? Well here it is! Savory, crunchy, inexpensive and addicting in the best way possible.

My aunt, cousins and I!

One week until Christmas!