Hey, Smoovers!
Date night at home doesn't have to break the bank!
We've got you covered with five wallet-friendly, mouthwatering recipes and creative date night ideas that'll make your evening unforgettable. Plus, we'll show you how Smoov can help you plan the perfect at-home date without the hefty price tag. Let's dive in and create cherished memories without leaving the comfort of your home!
Viral TikTok Recipe: Marry Me Chicken Impress your date with this irresistible Marry Me Chicken recipe that's both easy on your wallet and incredibly delicious! With just a few ingredients and 30 minutes, you'll have a meal that'll make your taste buds dance.
Ingredients:
5-6 Chicken Thighs (Bone-In or boneless)
1 tbsp olive oil
1/2 cup sun-dried tomatoes (whole or chopped)
3/4 cup chicken broth
1/2 cup heavy cream
1/4 cup of Parmesan cheese
4 garlic cloves minced
1 tsp dried oregano
1/2 tsp red pepper flakes
Salt to taste
Pepper to taste
Onion powder to taste
Seasoning for the Chicken Thighs:
Salt
Pepper
Smoked paprika
Onion powder
Garlic powder
Italian seasoning
Instructions:
Preheat the oven to 375°F.
Season the chicken with the blend of salt, pepper, smoked paprika, onion powder, garlic powder, and Italian seasoning.
Heat the olive oil in a large cast iron skillet then sear the chicken thighs for 5 minutes per side.
Set aside then lower the heat to medium and add in the garlic, oregano, and red pepper flakes. Sear until fragrant.
Stir in the chicken broth to deglaze the pan. Add the heavy cream and the Parmesan cheese to the skillet. Allow the sauce to simmer for a couple of minutes, then season with chili flakes, oregano, and sun-dried tomatoes.
Add the chicken thighs back into the pan.
Transfer the skillet to the oven and cook for 15-20 minutes or until the chicken reaches 165 degrees.
This dish goes great over mashed potatoes, rice, pasta, or even with a side of asparagus or your choice of greens.
Get a Little Handsy (Respectfully): Homemade Pasta
What's more romantic than making your own pasta from scratch? This three-ingredient homemade pasta recipe is not only budget-friendly but also a fun activity to share with your partner. Get ready to roll up your sleeves and create a mouthwatering meal together!
Ingredients:
2 cups bread flour (all-purpose flour works too)
4 eggs at room temperature
1/4 teaspoon kosher salt
Instructions:
In a bowl or a stand mixer, mix your flour and salt. Make a well and add your eggs in.
Whisk well, slowly adding in the flour off the sides bit by bit. (in a stand mixer, just mix on a low setting until a dough is formed).
By hand then, go in and knead the mixture until a dough is formed. Transfer to a pastry block or cutting board and knead for about 15-20 minutes until the dough has been created and is super smooth. Use more flour to help with sticking.
Form a ball, and add in a bowl to rest for 2 hours with a towel on top (at least 30 minutes). This is essential so your dough doesn’t have any give when you're ready to start rolling.
Next, cut your dough into 4 balls and knead those individually. Then, take a rolling pin and roll as THIN as you can - paper thin. You can also use a pasta roller here if you have one, but time and a rolling pin are just fine.
Once you have your paper-thin pasta sheets, layer them on top of one another, and slice to your desired thickness of pasta. Dust with more flour and cook!
Boil your water and add salt, then your pasta and cook for about 3-5 minutes. Serve over your favorite sauce!
Recipe by @LindseyEats Link to Recipe
Dessert for Dinner: Strawberry Tiramisu
Give a twist to a classic date-night dessert with this delightful Strawberry Tiramisu recipe. Sweet and luscious, this dessert will make your hearts skip a beat and leave you wanting more, without putting a dent in your pocket.
Ingredients: GINGER CHAMOMILE SYRUP
1/2 cup honey
1 inch fresh ginger, sliced
4 bags chamomile tea (optional)
TIRAMISU
4 large egg yolks, cold from the fridge
16 ounces mascarpone, cold from the fridge
1/2 cup heavy cream, cold
1/3 cup honey
2 tablespoons Aperol (optional)
1 teaspoon vanilla extract
1/4 teaspoon ground ginger
24 ladyfingers (a 7-ounce package)
1/2 cup, plus 3 tablespoons strawberry jam
1 cup sliced fresh strawberries
Instructions:
To make the syrup, bring 1/2 cup water, the honey, and ginger to a gentle boil over medium. Simmer for 1-2 minutes and remove from the heat. Add the tea bags, cover, and steep for 15 minutes. Strain out the ginger and discard the tea.
In a bowl, beat together the egg yolks, mascarpone, 1/4 cup heavy cream, honey, Aperol, vanilla, and ground ginger until combined and lightly whipped. Do not beat longer than 2 minutes.
In a separate bowl, whip the remaining 1/4 cup of cream until soft peaks form. Gently fold the whipped cream into the mascarpone cream.
Working with one at a time, quickly dip each ladyfinger into the ginger syrup. Do not let the ladyfinger sit long in the syrup, they'll get too soggy. Arrange a single layer of the dipped ladyfingers in a 9x9-inch baking dish.
Spoon over about half of the mascarpone cream. Dollop 1/2 cup strawberry jam over the cream. Then arrange a single layer of sliced strawberries on top.
Dip the remaining ladyfingers in the ginger syrup, lining them up over the berries one by one. Add the remaining cream on top and spread it into a smooth layer. Cover and chill for 2 hours or up to overnight.
Before serving, top with 2-3 tablespoons jam plus the sliced strawberries. If desired, crumble freeze-dried raspberries overtop. Slice, scoop, and enjoy!
Recipe by @HalfBakedHarvest Link to Recipe
Picture this: the scent of a delicious home-cooked meal wafting through your cozy abode, soft music playing in the background, and the anticipation of quality time spent together. Pairing a lovingly prepared dinner with these creative ideas is the recipe for a romantic and memorable evening. Date Night Ideas:
Rent a Movie On Your TV: Keep the cozy vibes going with a movie night at home. Rent a film from the comfort of your couch for a fraction of the price of a theater ticket. Snuggle up with your favorite snacks and enjoy quality time together.
Game Night Fun: Unleash your competitive spirit with a board game or card game night. It's a great way to bond, share some laughs, and keep the date night fresh and exciting.
Listen to Records or Spotify Playlists Together: Rediscover the joy of listening to music together. Move the coffee table out of the way, dance, or simply lay on the floor, hand in hand, while enjoying the tunes. Create your own musical journey and feel like teenagers again!
Whether it's "Movie Night Madness," "Game Night Frenzy," or "Dance Floor Romance," Smoov takes the stress out of managing finances as a couple.
Embrace the Smoov magic and make your love story even sweeter.
Enjoy your cozy evenings in, and let the simplicity of Smoov create unforgettable memories! 🚀💕 #BudgetDateNight #SmoovMagic #LoveAtHome
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