BBQ Frenzy
May 30, 2009 | Leave a Comment
The official start of summer is right around the corner and what better way to jump into it than a bbq! Start your Father’s Day weekend with fantastic bbq’d foods and a MONSTER wine tasting with us. We will be highlighting 15 fabulous wines that pair phenomenally with bbq’d meats, chicken and grilled vegetables all available for purchase for your weekend party. Our friends at Gnome Frenzy and Ultimate Sports Decor will be joining us for the festivities and wowing us with their garden gnomes and grill covers for dad!
At DateNiteDelivery, we carry great gifts and wine club memberships for dad as well as incredible wines to enjoy all summer long! Why leave all the fun to the beer drinkers of summer? Live large and join us Friday night!
Reserve a space and buy your ticket on-line now. Space is limited! (On our menu bar, go to SHOP, then TICKETS to purchase now. Tickets are $18 on-line and $25 at the door.)
*Don’t forget to bring your Cubs game ticket stub for 10% off a bottle of wine!
Stella & Dot Jewelry Party
May 30, 2009 | Leave a Comment
Thanks to all who attended the Stella & Dot jewelry party! A special thank you to our jewelry hostess, Miriam Rogers for an overall great party experience. Need that great jewelry or catalog contact Miriam at http://www.stelladot.com/sites/miriamblooms
So much more to come in the month of June at DateNiteDelivery! ( Hint!…”BBQ Frenzy” June 19th @ 6p.m. Get your tickets now. Space is limited!)
Kelly & Miriam Discussing Wine Options
Stella & Dot Jewelry
Delicious Appetizers & Wine served during the Stella & Dot Jewelry Party
Kelly & guest Matt discussing great gifts for loved ones
More Great Jewelry Featured
Miriam Benitez Stella & Dot Jewelry Consultant
More Incredible Jewelry
Sparkling Wine Recipes
May 27, 2009 | Leave a Comment
by Kelly Bartha
The warmer weather is making itself known and that means refreshing wines and cocktails are soon to be hitting tables regularly everywhere! In the last few blogs the Sparkling wines have gotten all the attention as being a fantastic choice for summer sipping and an affordable new favorite to enjoy with brunch or lighter fare at the dining table. Here are a few fun recipes from our sparkling wine event at DateNiteDelivery:
Berry Bubbly:
* the Segura Viudas ARIA Sparkling Pinot Noir (the pink one) is tasty, impressive and fun if you put a few pieces of fruit (berries work best- blueberry, raspberry, blackberry or grapes) on toothpicks like kebabs. put them in the freezer and when you are ready to serve it pour a half glass and add the fruit. Makes for a great presentation and a unique beverage for any gathering. An amazing pick for brunch!
Bellini:
* The Saracco Moscato d’ Asti (the one that tastes like peaches) is famous for mixing with peach juice, freshly sliced wedges of peach (frozen is fine too) and throw a maraschino cherry in there for good luck too. That cocktail is called a Bellini. You can also mix the sparkling wine with vodka and cranberry juice for the perfect pick me up.
Mimosa:
* The Segura Viudas Brut Reserva (more frothy, creamy with hints of vanilla) is great to add OJ and a touch of cranberry juice to as a fun little mimosa.
Have fun with these combinations. Don’t forget! …If there is left over sparkling wine from a party or get together and you don’t have a stopper to keep it fresh, no problem! Freeze the rest into ice cubes and enjoy in your OJ as a fun little spritzer or add to a glass of flavored vodka with a hint of added fruit juice. Refreshing!
Cheers!
Gourmet Night Recipes
May 16, 2009 | Leave a Comment
by Kelly Bartha
Gourmet Night was our latest and greatest event at DateNiteDelivery and a big thank you to all guests in attendance! Chef Lee Schubert shared his summer recipes of delightful chicken skewers, tender and wonderfully seasoned beef skewers and seedless cucumber cups filled with a dill Creme Fraiche. Delicious! If you have a special event and looking for a professional to take care of food preparation for brunch, bridal shower, luncheons, a graduation party or backyard bbq, you are in good hands with Lee. Owner and Chef of ELE’ Catering (located in Chicago), Lee and his friendly staff are ready to accommodate you. You will not only get great food, but hands on service (if preferred as well). Prepared to cook on site or in your home, ELE’ will provide your guests with a great food experience all for a moderate cost. For menu choices of fantastic appetizers, tasty sandwiches and more at your next party ask for Lee at (773)592-4140.
For those of you who shared your favorite recipes, here’s a few we chose to share and highlight for your future cooking pleasure. Enjoy!
Summer Tortellini Salad
* 1 pkg.(9oz) uncooked cheese-filled tortellini
* 1 medium zucchini
* 1 large carrot or bagged carrots
* 1 pint cherry tomatoes
* 4 green onions (optional)
* 1/4 cup parsley (fresh or dried)
* 1/2 cup fat-free ranch salad dressing
* 2 TBSP grated parmesan cheese
1. Cook tortellini according to package directions in a stockpot; drain and rinse under cold water. Set pasta aside.
2. Slice zucchini and carrots into medium sized chunks. Cut tomatoes in half and finely chop green onions and parsley.
3. Add vegetables to tortellini. Pour salad dressing over the salad and sprinkle with parmesan cheese. Mix gently coating pasta and vegetables. Cover and refrigerate at least 2 hours before serving.
4. Enjoy!
Tequila Marinade
* 1/2 cup fresh lime juice
* 1/2 cup chopped fresh cilantro
* 1/2 cup olive oil
* 1/3 cup soy sauce
* 1/4 cup Tequila
* 7 cloves of garlic, finely chopped
* 2 tsp grated lime peel
* 2 tsp ground cumin
* 2 tsp dried oregano
* 2 tsp ground black pepper
One by one, add each ingredient into a small bowl. Stir gently. Brush generously onto chicken breasts, vegetable skewers or a tri-tip roast. Delicious!
Snicker Salad
6 SNICKERS® candy bars, chopped in sm. squares
6 Granny Smith green apples, chopped in sm. pieces
1 (8 oz.) container Cool Whip
6-8 pretzel rods
Mix and chill. Top with crushed pretzels before serving. Enjoy as salad or dessert. A favorite!
More recipes to be posted in upcoming blogs. Stay tuned!
Cheers!
The Great Summer Sipper
May 16, 2009 | Leave a Comment
by Kelly Bartha
Ahh… Sangria! A delightful and refreshing summer beverage perfect for large groups to enjoy at picnics, bbq’s and any fun outdoor event. This sweet, juicy and endlessly drinkable beverage got it start in Spain in the 1600’s and then swooned its way through Europe. In 1964, Sangria made its debut in America at the World’s Fair in New York. Up until that year, iced tea had been the #1 choice for thirst quenching refreshment, but the blend of fresh fruit, brandy and wine changed all of that.
There are three types of Sangria that all have their origin rooted in Spain. The traditional sangria is made from a red wine, brandy and fruits like lemons, limes, apples, oranges, peaches, berries and grapes. The name comes from the word “sangre” meaning blood. Due to its deep, ruby red color, the name seemed appropriate. Sangria blanco has virtually the same ingredients except it is made from white or sparkling wine. Zurra is the third type and is made in southern Spain using red wine and just the juices from peaches and nectarines.
Not only is this beverage affordable and easy to make, it pairs well with everything! A traditional sangria made from a Bordeaux, Merlot, Tempranillo or Rioja pairs very well with grilled meats, pasta and potato salads and provides enough good acid backbone to support spicy ribs or marinades. A white wine sangria made from a Sauvignon blanc, Gewurztraminer, Riesling, Chablis or a fruitier Chardonnay pairs wonderfully with chicken, grilled vegetables, salads and seafood! Tapas, Thai or Asian cuisine and casseroles work well also. In serving the Sangria to your guests, have plenty of ice on hand to make an amazing and flavorful impact. The colder this drink is on a hot summer day, the better! Your guests will love you for it. If you are worried about it getting watered down, have ice ready to go on the side. Enjoy these recipes below. Cheers!
Traditional Sangria:
* 1 bottle of red wine (Spanish reds like a Rioja or Tempranillo are my favorite!)
* 1 lemon cut into wedges
* 1 lime cut into wedges
* 1 orange cut into wedges
* 1 cup of raspberries or strawberries (fresh or frozen)
* 1 small can of diced pineapple (with juice)
* 2 TBSP sugar
* 2 shots of Triple Sec or gin
* splash of OJ or lemonade
* 4 cups ginger ale
Pour the wine into a pitcher and squeeze the juice from the lemon, lime and orange wedges (leaving the seeds out if possible). Toss the rest of the wedge into the pitcher and add pineapple, sugar, OJ and Triple Sec. Chill overnight. Add ginger ale, berries and ice just before serving. If you prefer serving it right away, used chilled red wine and serve over lots of ice. However, the best sangrias are chilled 24 hours allowing the flavors to really marinate into each other.
* Other fruit such as apples, peaches, kiwi, and grapes work just as well. Instead of Triple Sec, substitute brandy, flavored vodka or white rum. The possibilities are endless!
White Wine Sangria
* 1 bottle of white wine (Riesling and Sauvignon Blanc are my favorite!)
* 2 sliced peaches (fresh or frozen)
* 1 sliced orange
* 1/2 mango peeled and sliced (or a 1/2 cup of raspberries)
* 1/2 cup Peach Schnapps
* 1/4 cup of sugar
* 1/2 liter of ginger ale
Pour wine and Schnapps into a pitcher and add sliced peaches, orange and mango. Next, add sugar and stir gently. Chill mixture for at least an hour. add ginger ale and ice just before serving. If you would like to serve it right away, use chilled white wine and ginger ale and serve over lots of ice.
* Other fruit such as sliced strawberries and kiwi work just as well. Instead of Schnapps, substitute a shot or two of Triple Sec and instead of ginger ale use a cup of citrus soda or club soda. The possibilities are endless!
Stella & Dot Jewelry at DateNiteDelivery
May 6, 2009 | Leave a Comment
DateNiteDelivery presents a evening of social fun and great deals on beautiful jewelry. Our featured guest for the evening will be Stella & Dot Jewelry and if you are at all familiar with their work, you can’t miss this! Stella & Dot has been featured many times in magazines like “In Style”, “Cosmo”, “ELLE”, “Better Homes & Gardens” and “Self” and their jewelry is enjoyed by the likes of Paris Hilton and Debra Messing (of Will & Grace). Besides unique and affordable lines of jewelry, enjoy a featured wine flight from our intimate wine selection and delicious appetizers. This event is open to men and women looking for fantastic gifts, great wine and fun on a Friday night. Don’t miss out!
Date: Friday, May 29th, 2009
Time: Begins at 7 p.m.
Place: DateNiteDelivery Wine & Gift Shop
We are located at 3754 N. Ashland Ave. Chicago, IL 60613. (Just a 1/2 mile west of Wrigley Field)
Do not hesitate to call, email, or facebook and reserve your spot. Tickets are $15 and can be purchased on-line or paid upon arrival (cash or credit). (When purchasing tickets on-line, print a receipt to bring with you to the event!) We look forward to seeing you on the 29th at 7p.m.!