Synopses & Reviews
Sweethearts, spouses, and parents Ashley and Gabe Rodriguez found themselves deep into marriage and child-rearing, no longer with luxurious free time for date nights and instead staring at their individual computer screens in the evenings. Determined not to let their relationship deteriorate into that of roommates with children,” they instituted a weekly date night: they glitz up, pour each other glamorous cocktails, and sit down for a full-on date night dinner together. What they found, simply, was that it changed their relationship and their lives.
Just carving out time to talk, cook, and eat together became the marriage-booster they needed, and Date Night” at home is now an integral part of their week. And theyre not alone: readers of Ashleys blog Not Without Salt wrote in by the hundreds in response to her posts, saying that they too needed to make together-time sacred, wooing their significant others with food and drink and conversation. Date Night In, twenty-five date-worthy occasions make up a tantalizing, delicious, packed-with-passion cookbook. With full-color photographs throughout, and featuring recipes like Rhubarb Sours, Fennel Crusted Lamb Chops, and Grapefruit and Olive Oil Cake with Chocolate, this indispensable cookbook is perfect for any couple who wants to spice things up with special seasonal meals at home, at a table for two.
Review
"[A] new cookbook offers dinners for two, menus that are simple, inventive and easily assembled."
-The New York Times
and#147;Iand#8217;m totally enamored with this cookbook. Itand#8217;s divided by season, and within each seasonal chapter there are menus for every sort of event or party that your family might experience during the year. Think: Cinco de Mayo, Beach Picnic, Campfire Cooking, Lunchbox Ideas, Homemade Gifts and so much more. Itand#8217;s a handy book to have around!and#8221;
-Paradeand#8217;s Community Table
"Every recipe in Date Night In makes me hungry. Potato chips with fennel coriander salt. Thyme and pancetta roasted sweet potatoes. Honey and siracha chicken wings. This is the most flavorful date night food I can imagine. Since I have the good fortune to count Ashley and Gabe as friends, I know that their love for each other is real and their food is unbelievably good. My husband and I have been inspired to start making each other date night dinners and so will you."
-Shauna James Ahern, author of Gluten-Free Girl and the Chef
"Ashley has woven her creative and delicious recipes between sweet, honest stories about marriage and family. I will move this cookbook between my bedside and kitchen counter. A cookbook and a love story: this book is truly a treasure."
-Sara Forte, author of The Sprouted Kitchen
"I have long followed Ashley's blog Not Without Salt. There is a nourishing quality to her being, words, and most certainly, food. Date Night In is full of universal tales of love and Ashley's recipes are sure to ignite, and better even, refuel passion. Food of love."
-Aran Goyoaga, author of Small Plates and Sweet Treats
"Rare is the book that not only moves us to cook, but to change our very lives. Date Night In is that book! With honesty, humility, and killer recipes for everything from Roasted Strawberry Jam to Dulce de Leche and Nectarine Creamsicles and the best roasted chicken you'll ever eat (really!), Ashley Rodriguez will inspire you to find the romance in your every day."
-Molly Wizenberg, author of Delancey and A Homemade Life
"Ashley (and Gabe) are as delicious as her recipes. In Date Night In she reminds us that our relationships should be savored, and stirred with love."
-Sherry Yard, pastry chef and author
[D]ecidedly modern cookbook designed for the busy couple brings novel flavors and savvy strategy to the table. Food lovers with young children will be especially familiar with Rodriguezand#8217;s dilemmaand#151;how to revive date night on a limited budget with even more limited childcareand#151;but her solution will work for any couple thatand#8217;s eager to express their love through cookery... Rodriguezand#8217;s vivid descriptions and candid revelations make for an engrossing read. With clever cocktails (Gordonand#8217;s Cup with caraway, sweet plum sangria) and unexpected snatches of poetry in the mix, all thatand#8217;s left is the candlelight and meaningful glances.
-Publisher's Weekly
These special-occasion meals offer a mix of sophisticated and comfort foods (e.g., fennel-crusted lamb chops, BBQ pulled pork sandwiches with apple and radicchio slaw) and usually include a cocktail, a starter or snack, a main course, and dessert. VERDICT Rodriguezand#8217;s menus and planning tools can help foodie couples easily plan memorable romantic meals.
-Library Journal
Synopsis
Rekindle the romance at home with a weekly date night, one on one, over an absolutely delicious meal for two.
Sweethearts, spouses, and parents Ashley and Gabe Rodriguez found themselves deep into marriage and child-rearing when they realized they were missing the connection of their early relationship, and needed to prioritize each other. They instituted a weekly date night at home to saute, roast, mix, dice, and spend time reconnecting over delicious meals like:
- Crostini with Ricotta, Prosciutto, and Peas
- Tomato and Fennel Gazpacho with Dungeness Crab
- Fennel-Crusted Lamb Chops
- Dulce de Leche and Nectarine Creamsicles
Simply carving out time to talk, cook, and eat together can be the relationship-booster you need to keep the spark alive. Just don't forget the cocktail (try a Rhubarb Sour or a Grapefruit 75). Make date night an integral part of your week and woo your partner all over again with food, drink, and sparkling conversation.
Packed with tantalizing and delicious recipes, Date Night In is a must-have cookbook for any couple who wants to spice things up with special seasonal meals at home around a table for two.
Synopsis
Rekindle the Romance at Home!
Sweethearts, spouses, and parents Ashley and Gabe Rodriguez found themselves deep into marriage and child-rearing when they realized they were spending most of their evenings staring at their computers. Determined not to let their relationship deteriorate into that of "roommates with children," they institute a weekly date night: they sautand#233;, roast, mix and dice and spend time reconnecting over simple but thoughtful dishes like Crostini with Ricotta, Prosciutto, and Peas, Tomato and Fennel Gazpacho with Dungeness Crab, Fennel-Crusted Lamb Chops, and Dulce de Leche and Nectarine Creamsicles (sometimes even with an expertly chilled cocktail). Just carving out time to talk, cook, and eat together became the marriage-booster they needed, and now with Date Night In she invites you to make date night an integral part of your week and shows you how to woo your partner all over again with food, drink, and conversation.
Packed with tantalizing and delicious recipes, Date Night In is a must-have cookbook for any couple who wants to spice things up with special seasonal meals at home with a table for two.
About the Author
Ashley Rodriguez is a Seattle-based food consultant, cooking instructor, food photographer, writer, wife, and mother of three young children. As the creator of notwithoutsalt.com Ashley blogs about life as told through food. Her blog has earned accolades from Saveur.com (Best Food Blog 2013), the Times Online, Babble.com, RealSimple.com, Brides.com, BonAppetit.com, Glamour.com, GourmetLive.com, Food52.com, MarthaStewart.com, and TheKitchn.com for her writing and original photography. Ashleyand#8217;s work has also been featured in several publications such as
Martha Stewart Living, Glamour, Sunset, and
Edible Seattle. Before the success of the blog and photography Ashley worked in several professional kitchens including Wolfgang Puckand#8217;s Spago in Beverly Hills. Now, Ashley teaches in and around Seattle at various locations including The Pantry and The Book Larder which brings in many well-known chefs and instructors.