Date Night In (Sort of)

I have a huge love affair with dining out, I love trying new restaurants, ordering fancy cocktails, and spending an evening oohing and ahhing over tasty dishes. Unfortunately, this affair costs money and it currently isn’t meshing with my attempt at being a financially responsible adult. But that’s ok, it means that my man and I get to try our hand at cooking our own inspired meals and tasty cocktails.

Our first attempt at a date night in included a big pot of Paella, Whiskey Sours, and then we went out to see a friends band at the Albert. I would say the evening was a success, especially knowing we saved a moderate fortune!

Spanish Paella with Shrimp, Chicken and Sausage

Recipe from here

Ingredients

1 splash of olive oil
2 chicken breasts, skin removed
2 whole Italian sausages
10 whole peeled garlic cloves
1 28 oz can whole tomatoes
2 cups arborio rice
3 cups chicken stock
1 cup red or white wine
3 whole bay leaves
1 sprig fresh rosemary
1 whole red pepper
1 lbs shrimp
2 onions, peeled and chopped

Directions

Heat a large flat sauté pan or traditional paella pan. Add a splash of oil and begin to brown the chicken and sausages, that have been cut in large chunks. Once they have browned set them aside on a plate. Add the onions to the hot pan and a small splash of oil, sauté until golden. Add the garlic and stir for a few moments. Add tomatoes, breaking them up with a wooden spoon. Add rice, stock, wine, bay leaves, rosemary, red pepper, the reserved meat and the shrimp. Bring to a simmer and cook over medium heat until the liquid has absorbed and the rice is tender, about thirty minutes.

Lil’ Dyls Whiskey Sour

This recipe comes from the brain of a good friend

2 oz Whiskey
1 oz Lemon Juice
1 oz simple syrup (how-to here)
1 egg white
Shaker

Egg whites may seem like a strange cocktail ingredient but don’t exclude them! Once shaken the egg whites create an amazing frothy head on the drink that is silky and delicious. All you need to do is combine all the ingredients in a shaker with ice and give it a hard shake. Pour into a rocks glass and enjoy!

Eva Wasney

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