Congratulations! If you are reading this, it means that you have successfully survived January. We have made it to February.
As Taylor Swift would say it’s the month for lovers.
Yes, we have to talk about Taylor Swift, the entire world is talking about her, so it would be weird not to mention her. She is right though, it’s the month for love. Love of foot ball. Love for your significant other. Love for your friends. Love for food. Love is on display.
With that in mind, this month we wanted to feature our favorite foods that make us want to shout love from the rooftops.
We have all our favorite Super Bowl app ideas and have put together an entire menu for you to easily assemble and hopefully watch Taylor’s boyfriend get another ring.
Then since Valentine’s Day is also on the horizon, we wanted to give you a few new ideas for the ultimate stay in date night.
Recipe of the Month: Our Filet Mignon
Learning how to cook a filet correctly is a game changer. While they tend to be on the pricier side, making them at home is not only more cost effective but so easy to do. Besides there is just something so fancy about filet isn’t it.
Find our full recipe for How to Cook the Perfect Filet Mignon HERE
The Ultimate Super Bowl Menu
Starters
The Super Bowl is meant for a great set of appetizers. Depending on how the game is going you may need a delicious distraction. We would recommend about 4 apps for a crowd of 15.
Year after year we’ve been making our cuban nachos. They are cheesy and filling and the mariquitas are an unexpected twist every crowd seems to love. Chili is something we love to make and keep in our slow cooker for guests as they arrive. It can be an appetizer or main course for the night to keep it simple.
We have two wing recipes that we can’t host a game without. Choose one or make them both! Dips are always an easy make ahead app. With our black bean dip, salsa and guacamole your guests will have all they need.
- Siracha Grilled Wings
- Sazon Rubbed Wings
- Cuban Nachos
- Black Bean Dip
- Tomato Salsa
- Guacamole
Main Course
Anything you can slather with our Guava BBQ sauce screams Super Bowl to us. If you want to keep it easy try the ribs which are made low and slow in the oven. If there is someone willing to man the grill make BBQ chicken thighs. If it’s a small and intimate crowd you can even make our drumsticks in the air fryer and serve them with bbq sauce.
Sides
Our creamy elbow pasta salad, Ensalada de coditos, is the perfect side to accompany any of those mains. Cuban rice salad is also another delicious side that can be made ahead. If you are getting your hands dirty with ribs or wings an easy side is our corn on the cob roasted with yogurt and spices.
Dessert
Our Key Lime Pie is a great option if you are hosting the big game or need to take dessert to a friends house. Other great desserts for a crowd are Panetela, bread pudding, natilla or arroz con leche. Snuggle up to the halftime show with a cup of our indulgent hot chocolate.
The Stay at Home Date Night
Our Dreamy Menu:
Main – Filet Mignon
Appetizer – French Onion Soup
Sides – Potatoes Au Gratin and Creamy Greens
Dessert –Brigadeiros
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A Few Possible Substitutions
If you want something lighter swap the au gratin for our Smashed Potatoes and the Creamy Greens for our Smashed Potatoes or try our Air Fryer Spinach
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If steak isn’t your thing we love making our Fish Wrapped in Banana Leaves for a light date night dinner. Fish is wrapped in tender banana leaves making it flavorful and fragrant. It’s all tied up like a little present ready to impress your special one. This dish goes great with a simple White Rice or our Cuban Fufu.
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What’s going on our Social:
Our social has been focused on all our favorite desserts. After all January tried to kill us, and February is the month of love! Who doesn’t love a good natilla?!
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Our Favorite Miami Date Night Spots
Here’s what everyone is Clicking On:
All of our sheet pan recipes have been on repeat in our homes. It’s one of the easiest and fastest ways to get a wholesome and delicious meal on the table.
Sheet Pan Sausage and Peppers
Sheet Pan Chipotle Lime Salmon
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Tools of the Month
Our tools this month are essential for a great steak.
- Cast iron skillet – If you dont have a good quality non stick pan then go with a cast iron pan. This isn’t just for steak. It’s an essential tool for your kitchen. If you’re looking for one that is a little bit of a better quality check out THIS Cast Iron
- Sheet pan with a wire rack attachment. In our filet recipe we talk a lot about resting the steak once it is cooked. A wire rack is the ideal place to rest the steak because any bloody juices will flow to the bottom of the pan and the steak with stay crispy on the outside
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Did You Know
When you think of Cuban desserts you don’t ever think of chocolate. But did you know that Hershey’s Chocolate owned thousands of acres of land in Cuba? Milton Hershey built a small town in Cuba called Central Hershey and even built a railroad from Matanzas to Havana to help transport materials from the sugar plantations and sugar mills that Hershey purchased. The sugar was used to supply the world famous chocolates. So although Cubans aren’t known for chocolate our roots are deeply connected to one of the most delicious and desired foods. Here are some chocolate recipes we love. Spoon the chocolate sauce over everything especially our rum cake or panetela.
Coming Up in March:
March we are going to be bringing you new recipes to bring into your weekday routine that are easy to do and that the family will love. Plus we will start thinking about Spring!!
See you next month!!
xx
Ani and Cristy
