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When Date Night Meets Taco Night
Are you feeling stuck in a rut with your date night?
Maybe you’re tired of going out to the same restaurant or eating the same dull dinner every week? Maybe it’s time you spice it up with some fiery Mexican meals and exciting new activities!
If you can’t take the heat… get together in the kitchen
Experts say that cooking together can help couples build teamwork and a stronger connection. So set aside some time in the evening to work with your partner on preparing a delicious Mexican taco feast. Pick a new recipe to cook and make sure you have all the necessary ingredients. To break from the routine, consider trying a meal that includes a protein or meat you don’t eat on a typical night. Casa Mendosa®’s Blackened Salmon Tacos recipe mixes heat from the chili powder spice rub with freshness from the romaine lettuce and lime. Skip the steakhouse and make your own Flank Steak Tostadas with fresh avocado and cherry tomatoes. Remember to work together on the meal by dividing up the recipe steps. This is a great opportunity to witness your partner either learn a new skill or show off their prowess in the kitchen!
Set the dinner table with a few candles and, if you have some, your fanciest tableware. Play some romantic (Mexican?) music on a nearby speaker. When the meal is ready, take a few minutes to get into a dressy outfit and meet your date at the kitchen table. Shut out distractions by turning off your TV and leaving your phones in a separate room. Take this special and intentional time with your partner to discuss anything from the ups and downs of your week to your favourite books and movies.
If you don’t have time to cook together, another option is to take turns acting as the other’s personal dinnertime chef. Preparing an inviting meal for your partner can be a great act of service and love. Use the time you spend cooking to contemplate conversation starters and discussions you would like to have during dinner. For a quick and flavourful dish, try these Mushroom and Corn Tacos.
Read: Create Your Own Mexican Dinner Night Out
Mexican dessert show-off
Bring a fun, Mexican flair to your after-dinner delicacies with a Mexican dessert show-off. Each of you can choose a dessert recipe that you think the other will love. Keep your choice a secret until date night. If your partner enjoys coffee, go for these Mexican Spiced Coffee Tortilla Dessert Cups. Any sweet-toothed honey is sure to love Ice Cream Churro Tacos. Mexican hot chocolate is great for those who prefer to drink their calories. Prepare your delightful desserts and present them to each other, making sure to explain why you thought this was the perfect choice for your significant other. Sweet words pair nicely with a sweet treat, so why not also share a few reasons why you’re grateful for each other?
Get cozy with a movie night in (or under the stars!)
Sometimes after a long day, all you’re up for is sitting on a comfy couch, wrapping yourself up in a big blanket, and zoning out to a movie. Turn those sleepy evenings into Mexican date nights by watching a classic Mexican flick and enjoying some spicy snacks. Netflix has a ton of interesting options, like the Academy Award-winning drama Roma, the blockbuster action hit Sicario, and the biopic Frida. Disney also took care in accurately portraying Mexican culture and traditions in its fun and colourful animated film, Coco. Of course, movie night is never complete without snacks. Replace popcorn with some Casa Mendosa® Baked Tortilla Chips paired with guacamole, queso, or salsa. For a sweeter option, munch on Cinnamon Chips and Fruit Salsa with apples, strawberries, and kiwis.
For a twist on the classic movie night, take the fun outside! On a night with clear skies, set up some lawn chairs or even a blow up mattress in your yard. Grab blankets, snacks, and a laptop. Snuggle in and get comfortable! Instead of using a laptop, you could purchase a small projector and set it up to play the movie on the side of a house or onto a white sheet hung up on a clothesline.
Margarita mingling
There’s no need to pay for a taxi to take you out for expensive drinks at a loud bar when you can create your own custom margaritas in the comfort of your home! Margaritas are a classic Mexican drink typically composed of tequila (silver or blanco tequila is best for this cocktail), Triple Sec (an orange liqueur), and lime juice. They are traditionally served in a margarita glass (which you can find easily at your local thrift store) with a salt rim, and can also be blended or shaken with ice. To make an original margarita, start by running a lime wedge around the rim of a glass before dipping the glass in a shallow plate of salt. Then add 2 oz. of tequila, 1 oz. of triple sec, and 1 oz. of lime juice, and stir to combine. You can either add ice directly to the glass, or blend the drink together with ice for a frozen margarita.
There are an endless number of ways to customize this popular cocktail. For example, you can amp up the Mexican flavour by incorporating pineapple juice and a crushed slice of jalapeno to the recipe above. Then serve the cocktail in a salt/chili powder-rimmed glass. Blending frozen mangoes in with the tequila, Triple Sec, and lime juice creates a sweet and slushy drink that you and your date will love! Not to mention that making and trying new combinations of tasty drinks is a great way to enjoy an evening with your partner without breaking the bank.
Dinner with a view
If you and your better half are feeling a little stir-crazy, date night is the perfect time to head out of the house and get some fresh air. Pack a picnic basket with essentials like a thick blanket, fizzy drinks, and napkins. As for the food, take some tacos with you. These Chicken and Pineapple Tacos and Black Bean Tostadas both take only 30 minutes or less to cook. Prepare the ingredients, assemble the tacos and place them in food storage containers for easy transport. Head out to a local park and enjoy an afternoon or evening in the sun. For a romantic evening alternative, pack the back of your vehicle full of pillows and big blankets before driving to a nearby lookout with a view. Once there, cuddle up in the trunk, eat some tasty tacos, and admire the great outdoors.
