Saturday, February 19, 2011

FRIDAY DATE NIGHT at HOME

My book “Table for Two” by Warren Caterson arrived yesterday. I was so excited while opening the envelope to finally lay my eyes on the recipes. The book is signed by the author which makes it even more special!

So what is “Table for Two” about? As Warren says in the Preface of the book, the idea for the book came from a simple but frequent lament he came across over and over again: “I’d love to cook more, but I don’t know how to cook for only two people.” The recipes are simple to follow and the selection is amazing: from soups to salads, seafood, meat, vegetarian recipes to my two favorite meals: dessert and breakfast. And if you have leftovers in your fridge, no worry, there is a whole chapter dedicated to transforming them into a yummy meal for two! But before the recipes starts, Warren introduces us to cooking terms, ingredients, and a measuring chart.

Yea, for me reading a cookbook equals reading a romance novel!


The idea was born as soon as I saw the cover of the book Table for Two. On the cover there is a couple engaged in a conversation and as it was Friday, date night was making a complete undeniable sense! And so the sinister plan of removing the kids (not so kids anymore, 13 and 17) from the house was born: “Ohh you both look so tired! It was along week and you both worked so hard; studying,   doing homework, bla, bla, bla! I think you deserved a break, would you like to go to movie theater?” And the rest is history! While daddy drove them to the cinema and made sure they bought tickets, snacks, and were safe inside the building, I whipped together a nice dinner for two: white rice, BROCCOLI AU GRATIN (from the book), spicy orange cordials, and for dessert cookies “Mint Toppar” that I baked a day before with a cup of Turkish coffee! Yep, you got to keep romance going on to keep it interesting in a relationship!

Broccoli au Gratin came out super delicious (recipe a total keeper), the side of rice complemented it nicely, and sipping the cordial between bites added a refreshing sense to the atmosphere.


SPICY ORANGE CORIDALS for TWO (2 6 fl.oz. glasses)
(for the printable recipe click here)

Ingredients:
4 fl.oz. orange juice
2 fl.oz. homemade spicy syrup (recipe here)
6 fl.oz. club soda
3 drops red food coloring
red and white crystal sugar for rimming the glass

Directions:
Mix together orange juice, spicy syrup, and red food coloring. Add club soda, stir, and fill the glasses rimmed with red and white crystal sugar.

24 comments:

  1. Fabulous! Congratulations on winning the book! :)

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  2. Mateja that sounds so delicious and refreshing! Nice photos too!

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  3. Every couple needs a 'date night". when my husband and I cook together on a Saturday night, that is our "date night." So much fun.

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  4. Nice photos and time alone is invaluable. Look forward to more from the book.

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  5. Oh my, those drinks sound amazing! Can't wait to see what else is in that cookbook!

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  6. Doesn't a date, even one at home just do wonders?? I'm beginning to appreciate the benefits of having older kids!

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  7. It's great you enjoyed the book and your weekend preparing those recipes :)

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  8. Those orange cordials look so pretty I love the glasses I might mix it with some pomegranate too!!

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  9. Mmm, these CORIDALS for TWO look amazing!! There definitely has some magin in cooking just for TWO :))

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  10. Theres an award waiting for you. http://t.co/N1E66kZ
    Cheers, Zen

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  11. What a fun evening for the whole family! Such a lovely dinner...broccoli gratin sounds incredible...and your beautiful drinks look so refreshing! Happy Sunday~

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  12. Nice! What a great idea - I bet your hubby loved it!!

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  13. This is a must buy book for me. The kids are gone and it's just the two of us. Cooking for two can definitely be a challenge. Wonderful meal!

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  14. Mateja-I'm with you. Reading a good cookbook is equivalent to a romance novel. Looks like an amazing book, and your broccoli au gratin is equal to a romance novel as well, and especially your romantic cocktail, with such beautiful color!
    Happy cooking, from your new book!

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  15. Thank you so much for the Stylish Blogger Award :-) Sounds like you're going to love the new cookbook!! Hope you're having a great weeked, Kate

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  16. That looks like a very nice cookbook and a very romantic meal ;)

    I really like how you set up everything in your plate with the rice, veggies and broccoli au gratin!

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  17. I love the glasses you have that cordial in. The drinks look so attractive served that way!

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  18. So sweet. The dinner looks wonderful. :)

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  19. It sounds like you had a wonderful date night. I really enjoyed your post. Have a great day. Blessings...Mary

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  20. Sounds like a great book and so awesome that you got to have a dinner date! =)

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  21. Sounds like you had a wonderful night with your man! And those cordials look so good and refreshing!

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  22. Friday date night with your hubby - what a great idea! Our kids are too small to send off to the cinema, but they go to bed at 7, so there's no excuse really. I'm going to do it... next week! :-)

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  23. Thank you girls for all the support and wonderful comments! Have a great weekend all :)

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  24. Mateja - I LOLed when I read that reading a cookbook is like reading a romance novel! That's a true foodie for you. :) The cordials look amazing! I hope you and your husband have a wonderful date night.

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