Bella Notte: An Italian Experience (Stay At Home Date Night)
Channel: Mommy Meghan
Date: 2019-05-02

Bella Notte: (Beautiful Night): An Italian Experience is an stay at home date night vlog.  We were staying at David's parents house while they were out of town and we were having some work down at our house.  During that time we decided to have a stay at home date night.  Our local library provides date night kits that includes a Italian cookbook, 3 movies, a 1000 piece puzzle, an audio CD and one set of game cards all in Italian theme.  We decided to make spaghetti, an adult beverage and dessert.  Come along with us on our date!  We hope you enjoy our vlog and get some ideas for your next stay at home date night. 

Florentine Orange Cake:

Unsalted butter, for greasing the pan, 3 large eggs, 1 cup granulated sugar, 1/4 cup vegetable oil, 1/2 cup whole milk (warmed), 1 1/2 cups all-purpose flour, 1 (16 gram) envelope Lievito Pane degli Angeli or 1 1/2 tablespoons baking powder, grated zest and juice of 1 orange, confectioners' sugar (for topping)

Preheat the oven to 350 degrees Fahrenheit. Grease a 13x 9-inch baking pan with butter.  

In a large bowl, combine the eggs, granulated sugar, oil, milk, flour, baking powder, orange zest and orange juice.  Using a hand mixer, beat the mix for 3 to 4 minutes, until the texture is creamy and mildly thick.

Spread the batter in the baking pan, and bake for about 30 minutes, until a toothpick is interested into the center come out dry and the cake has risen to threefold.  

Remove from the oven and let cool for 30 minutes.  Then flip the cake out of the baking pan onto a cutting board. Slice and serve sprinkled with confectioners' sugar.

Foreplay: 

1 1/2 oz fresh lemon juice, 1 1/2 oz fresh orange juice, 1 1/2 oz simple syrup (1 cup water, 1 cupof light brown sugar: In a medium saucepan, combine the water and brown sugar and bring to a boil. 
 stir for 1 minute, or until the sugar has dissolved.  set aside to cool.  Keep refrigerated in a small pitcher or squeeze bottle ), 1 1/2 oz no-sugar added or unsweetened cranberry juice, 3 oz tangerine-flavored vodka (such as Absolut Mandarin), 1 serrano chile (sliced), Sugar (for dipping and garnish), 1 orange slice

In a pitcher, combine the lemon juice, orange juice, Simple Syrup, cranberry juice, and vodka. 

In the bottom of a cocktail shaker,  muddle 2 slices of the chile.  Add the alcoholic mixture and some ice ans shake.

On a small plate, pour a layer of sugar.  Rub the rims of 2 cocktail glasses with the orange slice,  then dip the rims into the sugar.

Pour the cocktail mixture into the glasses, and serve.  Garnish with a sugar-coated chile slice.

"Fake" Sauce:

1/4 cup extra virgin olive oil, 1/2 red onion (roughly chopped), 1 carrot (roughly chopped) 2 celery stalks (roughly chopped), 1/3 cup red wine, 1 (28-oz) can whole peeled tomatoes (pelati), 1 tablespoon finely chopped fresh Italian parsley (plus more for garnish), Kosher salt and freshly ground black pepper, freshly grated Parmigiano-Reggiano cheese (for serving)

In a large skillet, heat the olive oil medium-high heat.  Add the onion, carrot, and celery and cook for 5 to 7 minutes, until the onions are soft and golden, just before carmelization. 

Add the red wine and stir well.  Reduce the heat slightly and simmer for 5 minutes, or until the pungent smell of alcohol is gone.

Add the tomatoes and break them down roughly with the wooden spoon.  Add 1 tablespoon of parsley and season with salt and pepper to taste.  Stir well and cook over low heat for 30 to 40 minutes until the sauce thickens and the flavors blend.

Toss with 1 pound of just-cooked pasta and serve garnished with some more parsley and grated Parmesan.