So when was the last time you flew a kite? Years ago, I bet. I’d say I was probably 12′ish the last time I flew one. Playing out a bit of string, running like a wild woman down the middle of the street, hoping to catch just the right gust of wind to send my kite skyward. I remember one remarkable summer day, my best friends brother made us run to the store to get more string – he’d gotten his kite so high, he’d run out!

Anyhoo, cheap date night is here again, and this time we’ll head outside for a bit of cooking and drinking – and maybe, just maybe if you watch this video you might be inspired to try your own kite flying.

Grilled Club Sandwiches

Seriously? Get that look off your face. This is quick and awesome, and kids will LOVE it, especially if you grill their peanut butter and jelly sandwich next to your ribeye.

First, build your sandwich. Your choice of bread, I prefer potato bread because it’s thick and white and holds up under a lot of conditions.
Add in your meats – I use turkey, ham and bacon
Cheese – American and Mozzarella
Vegetables – Okay, here’s where you can get all creative on me. I’m completely happy with just green peppers on my sandwich, but you can add mushrooms, onions, black olives or jalapenos. Take your pick!

Now, wrap each sandwich in foil, and grill 4-5 minutes on each side until heated through.

Is that just the easiest sandwich ever? Especially if you’re camping or the power has gone out. (Trust me, without a microwave I’m LOST in the kitchen!)

Now we’ll need a little sipper to go along with our sammie.

First, you’ll need a mason jar. Next you’ll need some fresh or frozen fruit, your choice. And some vodka and ice. Now lets make a

Fresh Fruit Chiller

Choose your fruit to puree. I had some fresh strawberries, so I tossed those in the blender and gave it a quick zap. Pour the puree into the mason jar.

Add one shot of vodka.

Top with some more fresh or frozen fruit (if frozen, let it thaw first to save your teeth!) I added in some watermelon and blueberries.

Fill the rest of the way with club soda, or sprite if you’d rather.

Seal the lid on your mason jar, and strap on your hula skirt, because we’re going to do some serious shaking here. Ready? One….two…three! Shake that baby!

Once it’s all mixed – um, you can stop shaking now, sweetie, but way to wiggle those hips! – unscrew the lid, plop in a straw and enjoy…..and the BONUS? Nummy fruit to chew at the end of your drink. Or, if you’re like me and can’t wait, take a nibble now and then, just to keep the hunger pangs at bay until your sandwich is done.

Now these are basically two recipes that can be done hundreds of ways, depending on what you have on hand. No vodka? Try rum, or even no alcohol at all! No turkey, use roast beef. We’re totally flexible here at Cheap Date Night!

Now, take a few minutes and watch this video of a world champion kite flyer. The ending is spectacular – who knew you could LAND a kite rather than just CRASH it into your neighbors tree?

So be honest now – when was the last time you had some fun playing outside? For me, it’s been way too long. And while I may not have a kite, I can play a mean game of hopscotch on the front sidewalk with those colored chalks the grandkids left! =)

Carrie Spencer Author - Smart Ass Romance

Boy, I hope you’ve packed in your sweet tooth, because today we’re taking you on a sugar rush roller coaster!

As always cheap date nite features a quickie snack or meal, even quicker likker and a fast movie – for those times when you just don’t have hours to spare but want to have a wee bit of quick and cheap fun.

First up is our snack.

Peanut Butter Banana S’mores

Seriously? Need I say more? Well, okay, maybe the recipe for those of you already drooling. =)

30 squares of graham crackers
30 marshmallows cut in half
package of chocolate chips or Hershey bars
peanut butter
Bananas

Ok, first line your 9X13 with aluminum foil. Lay out your 15 graham cracker squares, then top each one with a sprinkle of chocolate chips (or a few squares of chocolate), a slice of banana and two marshmallow halves. The other 15 squares, spread with peanut butter and place carefully over the top. (Peanut butter side down, but you knew that right? right.) Bake at 350 for 4-5 minutes until marshmallows puff.

Let cool and bit and dive in!!!

You’d think with a sweet treat like this, you’d need a fairly simple drink. Right? Wrong. Here’s the perfect accompaniment to our s’mores.

Peanut Butter Cup Martini

chocolate syrup
1 oz. Kahlua
1 oz. Frangelico
1 oz. Baileys
Cream

Decorate your martini glass with a few swirls of chocolate syrup and slide into the refrigerator. In a cocktail shaker, mix your liquors with about 1/4 cup of cream and a scoop of ice. You can add more later if you’d like. Now shake it baby shake it. Yeah, no one’s watching. =) Strain into your pretty glass and decorate with a few mini Reese’s peanut butter cups.

Got it? Excellent. Now let’s plop down with our goodies and watch a bit of a movie.

Here’s one I don’t remember seeing before, from the Carol Burnett show – called No Frills Airline. Poor Tim Conway…lol…..I love him!

Enjoy!

Carrie Spencer Author - Smart Ass Romance

If it’s Monday, it’s gotta be cheap date night. Even if you don’t have a date, you can certainly enjoy this little repast in your day, it’ll definitely make the rest of your week sparkle like newly-Windexed windows.

First up, comes the food of course. =)

A friend of mine once sent me some chile lime cashews. They were spectacular awesome. (thanks Jen!) After I’d eaten the entire bag, I wanted MORE. So, being the resourceful woman I am – I went hunting for a recipe to make my own. WARNING – this takes a bit longer to make than my usual “Under 5 minutes” recipe – so plan your time accordingly so you still have time to watch the movie! WARNING TWO – beware the squirrels in the tree outside the window. They can attack at a moments notice.

Chile Lime Nuts
(adapted from http://simplyrecipes.com)

* 4 cups cashews – or you can use mixed nuts – or mix your own nuts!
* 3 teaspoons salt
* Grated zest of 2 limes
* 3 Tbsp brown sugar
* 2 teaspoons chili powder – if you’re creative, use other spices as well like chipolte powder.
* 2 egg whites
* 2 Tbsp lime juice

Okey dokey. Take the salt and the lime zest and muddle them together really well. Add in sugar and chili powder. Stir in the egg whites and mix well, then toss in the nuts. Put on a cookie sheet lined with foil and bake 15-20 min at 350 degrees. Take out, sprinkle with the remaining lime juice and bake 2 more minutes. While those are cooling, lets put together this awesome drink -

The Mexican Bulldog

Have you ever seen the Bucket of Margaritas? You can buy one almost anywhere, Wal Mart, Costco, Trader Joes. Grab one and prepare according to directions.
Pour the slushy mix into a salted and fairly big, heavy glass.
Open a bottle of Corona and quickly turn it upside down in the glass, leaving the bottle IN the margarita.
Now as you sip the margarita, you’ll get a bonus of Corona with every sip. The level in the bottle goes down, but the margarita level stays up.
WARNING – this can knock you for a loop. =)

And if that didn’t knock you for a loop, this absolutely ADORABLE video will – put the margarita down for 3 minutes, you won’t want to squirt it out your nose!

Carrie Spencer Author - Smart Ass Romance

What? You’ve never had a Jalapeenie Weenie? I’m shocked. Dismayed. Horrified.

Best of all, I’m going to remedy that situation.

Jalapeenie Weenies

2 hot dogs
1 flour tortilla
Shredded cheddar cheese
Sliced jalapenos
Salsa

Wrap the 2 hot dogs in a paper towel and nuke for about 1 min and 20 seconds. They’ll be hot! So be careful. Next, set a flour tortilla on a plate. Chop the two hot dogs up and drop on the tortilla. Top with salsa, cheese and jalapenos. Put back in the microwave for 30-45 seconds to melt the cheese and heat the salsa.
Roll up like a burrito and ENJOY.

Quick, easy, cheesy and nummy. What more can you ask for with a 2 minute meal? Eat your heart out Rachel Ray.

Now that we’ve got our Jalapeenie Weenie, lets have something fun to drink with it.

Strip and Go Naked

Yes, if one is consuming Jalapeenie Weenies ( I enjoy saying that, can you tell? ) one must have the perfect drink. Try this one on for size!

1 can (or bottle if you’re high class!) of beer
1 shot of vodka
1 shot of lemonade

Mix together in a big glass, Jalapeenie Weenie in front of you (and another for your significant other of course) and watch this clip of the Photoshop Reconstruction of Eleanor of Aquitane. You’re now officially in the Cheap Date Zone.

Enjoy!

carrie

Carrie Spencer Author - Smart Ass Romance

Today I’m going out on a limb and doing a recipe that takes a bit of time. I know, I know, don’t panic. It’s all still very easy, and the results are Mwah! fantabulous.

Microwave Lasagna

1lb ground beef
1 jar Ragu
9 Lasagna noodles
12 oz. carton cottage cheese
16oz package mozzarella cheese

Pick a glass pan as big as your microwave will hold. Grease the bottom a bit with oil and set it aside. Boil 9 lasagna noodles according to directions. While they are boiling, brown a pound of hamburger, then drain and put back in the pan with a jar of Ragu. Heat to bubbling.

In the pan, put down 3 noodles. Top with 1/3 the meat mix, 1/2 carton cottage cheese and 1/3 mozzarella cheese. Repeat two more times, with the top layer being just meat and cheese. Cover with a Saran Wrap type of cover, venting at two corners and cook for 13 min on high.

If you like your lasagna browned on top, toss it in the oven on broil for a few minutes before serving.

While your lasagna is in cool down mode, let’s make some Italian Margaritas.

1 shot Amaretto
1/2 shot triple sec
small splash lime juice
Sweet and sour mix
In a shaker combine the liquors and lime juice and 2 shots of sweet and sour mix. Shake it shake it baby, then pour into a tall glass.

Ready? Scoop up your lasagna, get a sip of your margarita, put your fuzzy pink slippers up and lets learn to speak Italian – complete with hand gestures!

Buon appetito!

Carrie Spencer Author - Smart Ass Romance