Summer Picnic With My Love

Even though Bo and I are married, live in the same house, sleep in the same bed, and see each other (almost) every day, sometimes we forget that "date nights" (or, in this case, "date afternoons") are still important.  And since, by some miracle, we both had today completely off from work, we decided to go on a picnic!

This morning, I spent an hour or so whipping up a special lunch; and I must admit that I felt like a regular Giada de Laurentis in the kitchen! :)  By 12:30 we were both starving and ready to hit the road!

Thankfully, we didn't have to travel far.  Less than a mile away is a local park; and since dogs are allowed, we decided to bring Lola along for the ride!  She has gotten SO BIG (over 50 pounds!) that now she has to ride in the back seat.  No more floor board of the passenger side for this little Labrador!

While Bo walked Lola around for a couple of minutes, I took my time setting the stage for our picnic date.  I brought an old family quilt along to decorate the table, and then I spread out our feast:

• Warm Goat Cheese, Spinach, and Tomato Panini;
• Macaroni Salad;
• Minted Fruit Salad (see recipe below); and
• specialty drinks from Whole Foods.

Since Bo wanted a little more protein with his lunch, I added some ham to his sandwich.  In the end, he actually said that he thought the sandwich was a little better without the meat.  SCORE for the vegetarians!

I guzzled my lunch down with Virgil's Zero Cream Soda, while Bo sipped on Steaz Zero Calorie Orange.  Both were delicious; but truth be told, my cream soda was the best out of the two.  It really tasted like the real thing!

Lola sitting pretty for a treat!

My handsome hubby enjoying his panini.

Me - chowing down.

(And yes, I burned my bread.  

What can I say, I am my mother's daughter (hehehe)!)

Absolutely LOVING what natural light does to my photography skills!  

Lesson: I think I need to take more pictures outside!

This fruit salad was simple and out-of-this-world delicious!  It was - in both of our opinions - the best part of the whole picnic.  And since I know you want it, here is the quick and easy recipe:

Minted Fruit Salad
Serves 2

8 medium strawberries, diced
1/2 C blueberries
1 medium nectarine, diced
1 packet of stevia
1/2T lemonjuice
1/2 tsp dried mint

Directions:

1. Add the strawberries, blueberries, and nectarine to a small mixing bowl.
2. Sprinkle the stevia, lemonjuice, and mint over top.
3. Toss to incorporate.
4. Chill until ready to serve.

It really is as easy as 1-2-3-4!

Lola chillin' in the shade...no doubt wishing she could play with the kids on the playground.

This macaroni pasta salad wasn't my recipe, and it wasn't a home-run.  Truthfully, it was just so-so.  Next time, I think I would do better to just come up with something of my own.  Regardless, it did hit the spot when Bo and I were still a little hungry after eating our sandwiches (Bo has a full sandwich, I just had a half). 

Yummm...

All gone. :)

Afterwards, we took a little walk to help digest our food.  Since it was VERY hot, we tried to stay in the shade as much as possible.  We watched Lola carefully to make sure she didn't overheat, and we also gave her lot and LOTS of water.

At one point, we even talked Lola into playing on the playground!

She and her Daddy even went down the slide!  

(I'm not sure she enjoyed it.)

We didn't get a picture of it, but Lola thought the swings were so. much. fun.  While I was swinging, she kept trying to jump up and catch me!  It was too funny to watch her.  On the one hand she was totally confused by what was going on; while on the other hand she thought it was this new game that she couldn't wait to play. I can't wait to see what Lola will be like when we bring our future children to the playground.

It is certainly something to look forward to...

Next up:  a creative way to use up all of the zucchini that is abounding in your garden/local grocery store!  Delicious AND healthy potato filling anyone?!

Question of the Day:


When is the last time you went on a date with your significant other, and what did you do?!

Blessings,
Ally and Bo

Warm Goat Cheese, Spinach, and Tomato Panini

OH. MY. GOODNESS.  

I am SO EXCITED to share today's recipe with y'all!  In fact, in the past 48 hours Bo has eaten this panini three times, and I have eaten it once (plus a few stolen bites from Bo's servings...hehehe).

So, here's the back story:

Two days ago Bo requested a grilled cheese sandwich for dinner.  The chef in me thought that that sounded sort of boring.  So, instead of making us a traditional grilled cheese, I decided to use his suggestion as a basis for something much for sophisticated and delicious.

Enter: goat cheese

Armed with goat cheese as my secret ingredient, I proceeded to craft a sandwich that rivals  practically every deli sandwich I have eaten in my entire life.  Subway, Quiznos, Panera, you've got nothin' on me!

Ooey, gooey, and delicious!  This sandwich has the same creaminess as a childhood-classic grilled cheese, but with a refined twist.  If you can, eat this sandwich warm.  There is just something about warm bread and goat cheese that does a body (and a soul) good!

Warm Goat Cheese, Spinach, and Tomato Panini
Serves 1

2 slices of whole wheat bread (or bread of choice)
1.5 oz. goat cheese
1/3 medium tomato, sliced
small handful of spinach
salt, for garnish
pepper, for garnish
balsamic vinegar, for drizzling

Directions:

• Preheat a non-stick skillet over medium heat.
• Microwave the goat cheese for 10-15 seconds, just until it is easily spreadable.
• Spread a generous layer of the goat cheese over each piece of bread.
• Layer the spinach on top of the goat cheese.
• Add the thinly sliced tomatoes on top of the spinach.
• Sprinkle with a small pinch of salt and pepper.
• Drizzle with a small amount of balsamic vinegar.
• Place the top layer of bread onto the sandwich.
• Add the panini to the preheated skillet, and place a cast-iron skillet on top of it (this is to weight it down and to ensure that all of the ingredients meld together as they heat up).
• Cook on one side for 2-3 minutes, until the bread is browned - but not burned!
• Flip, and replace the cast-iron skillet on top of the panini.
• Cook on the other side for 2-3 minutes.
• Serve warm with fruit, chips, or any other side(s) of your choice.

I can't decide between these two pictures:  On the one hand, the top picture shows really great color definition of the panini.  The green, red, and white are so vibrant.  Heck, you can even see the speckled brown on top of the bread!  On the other hand, the bottom pictures has great lighting!  I love how you can still see the grapes, the plate, and the surrounding items in some definition.

In a perfect world, I would have both the talent and the equipment to take a picture that is somewhere right in the middle.  Until then, I will just keep honing my skills, and waiting for Christmas (or Bo's next pay raise!).

Question of the Day:


Do you like goat cheese?  If not, what other kinds of cheese DO you like (Who know...maybe I could come up with a sandwich using one of your favorites!)?

Blessings,
Ally and Bo