September can be one of the busiest months of the year, so I’m keeping date night as simple as possible with a beautiful No Cook Date Night Menu. This menu can be made almost entirely in advance and has beautiful nods to the Fall season to come with apples, amaretto, and spices. It’s a gorgeous way to kick off the Fall season with ease!
No Cook Date Night
Somewhere near the beginning of September, Fall seems to announce itself with full force. There are pumpkins and Halloween decorations in every store (actually, there’s Christmas decorations there too, but that’s another story). The markets are advertising their butternut squash and crisp apples. Gilmore Girls is playing in the background. It’s finally Fall.
But outside, it doesn’t feel like Fall just yet. That comforting crisp weather may be on the horizon, but it’s not quite here yet. And while there will be plenty of time for sweaters and soup, it’s still just too hot.
The other thing about this time of year is just how busy it is. Everyone is getting back into their routines, the kids are back in school, Fall activities are kicking off. It can be difficult to catch your breath, let alone think about hosting guests.
So I decided to share a menu with you that is the ultimate problem solver–it’s my No Cook Date Night Menu. This is a beautiful menu with winks to Fall flavors throughout that is super simple. It is no cook, so it’s perfect for hot days where you still can’t be convinced to turn on the oven or stove. It’s also almost completely make ahead, so it’s really perfect for grabbing an hour for date night that won’t require a ton of effort. I also love that this can be a sort of impromptu date night meal–it uses pantry staples so it won’t be sending you all over town on a shopping trip. This is simplicity and elegance at its best, and I am smitten.
You’ll see little sparks of Fall throughout this menu, without going full force November. In my September Freeze cocktail, I’m blending apple cider, white wine, lemon, amaretto, and ice for a welcome frozen drink. That apple/amaretto combination is echoed in the dessert, a Spiced Apple and Amaretto Mascarpone Parfait, which can be made entirely in advance. For dinner, I’m serving a whipped ricotta salad with arugula and grapes that feels fancy but is secretly so easy. And I’m mixing together tuna salad with tons of upgrades and a lot of lemon for an Italian Tuna and Mozzarella Focaccia. All of this comes together really quickly and still looks oh so impressive.
Fall is one of my favorite cooking seasons by far. I’m gathering my energy for the -ber months ahead with this simple no cook menu that keeps date night chic.
The Menu
This menu is simple and fresh with hints of Fall flavors running throughout. I’m serving:
- Cocktail: The September Freeze–Apple Cider and White Wine Frozen Cocktails
- Salad: Simple Whipped Ricotta, Grape, and Arugula Salad
- Dinner: Italian Tuna and Mozzarella Focaccia
- Dessert: Spiced Apple and Amaretto Mascarpone Parfaits
The September Freeze: Apple Cider White Wine Frozen Cocktail
When the calendar flips to Fall, but the weather outside is still blazing, my September Freeze is THE cocktail to whip up. This cocktail is a blend of apple cider, white wine, amaretto, and lemon, which is all given a whir in the blender with ice. And the golden color is absolutely perfect for those first days of the Fall season. This is a sweeter drink but it never crosses the line into dessert cocktail. A total stunner for date night, but I’ll be making it all autumn after apple picking and harvest festivities.
Try my September Freeze recipe here.
Whipped Ricotta, Grape, and Arugula Salad
A salad with a layer of whipped ricotta might sound a little strange, but there’s a simplicity to my Whipped Ricotta, Grape, and Arugula salad that makes it really shine. I keep the salad portion really easy–just arugula, grape, basil, and pine nut tossed with my lemon thyme vinaigrette. Then I serve it layered on top of the whipped ricotta. Together, this salad becomes a little bit creamy but keeps its crunch. It’s perfect for the start of Fall when you want something that has a little more heft but never sheds its summer skin completely.
Follow the link for my Whipped Ricotta, Grape, and Arugula Salad.
Italian Tuna and Mozzarella Focaccia
Tuna salad may be one of my favorite foods in the world, and this tuna salad is simply out of this world. For my Italian Tuna and Mozzarella Focaccia, I give humble tuna salad a glow up with Italian mix ins like sundried tomatoes, capers, and basil. I go heavy on the lemon with just the tiniest bit of mayo, and a sprinkling of Italian seasoning and garlic salt. All of this is served on delicious focaccia with a slice of mozzarella. Heaven! It’s these additions that make such a big impact and make this feel special enough for a no cook date night.
Click for my Italian Tuna and Mozzarella Focaccia.
Spiced Apple and Amaretto Mascarpone Parfaits
Ok, so there is the tiniest bit of cooking involved in this No Cook Date Night Menu. But, honestly, it’s worth it for these Spiced Apple and Amaretto Mascarpone Parfaits! To make the apple layer, I cook sliced apples with butter, cinnamon, nutmeg, and amaretto. The aroma is so Fall, it will bring everyone straight to the kitchen. Once the apples are cooled, I layer them in parfait glasses with amaretto mascarpone and amaretti cookies. Then I stash them in the fridge until dessert time. Totally make ahead and simple, these parfaits are creamy and have these beautiful Fall flavors throughout. A perfect ending for date night!
Here is my recipe for Spiced Apple and Amaretto Mascarpone Parfaits.
Hosting Tips
The beauty of this menu is that not only is it no cook, it’s almost entirely make ahead. Here’s the quick break down of how I cook this in advance:
The Morning of:
- Start with the parfaits–cook the apples and whip the mascarpone. Once the apples are cooled, layer the parfaits. I like to save just the top layer of amaretti cookies for right before I serve. But make the rest and store in the fridge.
- Shake up the lemon thyme vinaigrette and store in the fridge.
- Whip the ricotta for the salad and store in the fridge as well.
- Mix up the tuna salad. Don’t forget to taste it and adjust the seasonings. I sometimes like to add a bit more lemon.
- Mix the liquids for the cocktail, but don’t blend with ice yet.
Dinner Time:
- Spread the whipped ricotta on a serving plate. Toss the arugula, grapes and basil with the dressing, then scoop on top of the whipped ricotta. Sprinkle with pine nuts and the first course is served!
- Blend up the cocktails with ice. Garnish with a cinnamon stick, and drinks are poured.
- Assemble the tuna onto focaccia. Top with arugula. Dinner’s ready!
- Sprinkle the last layer of amaretti cookies on the parfaits. Time to dig in to dessert!
See how simple date night becomes? Now, this menu could easily be made right before you serve it. I like that it works with you and where you have the most time.
I like to keep the table decorations simple here, but definitely add some Fall notes. A low candle keeps this meal laid back. And I went for greens and oranges on the table to echo that idea of summer meets fall. So a beautiful striped green runner worked so well here. And I love glassware that has hints of green in it as well. I did brown plates and then added a pop of blue with the salad serving plates. All of it comes together to really signal that specific September moment.
A No Stress Start to Fall
With busy schedules and everyone running in different directions, sneaking in a date night can be one of the most needed evenings in September. So keeping it romantic but stress free is a must. I love this menu so much because it is the details here that make it really thoughtful, not the time spent in the kitchen. Plus, everyone loves those hints of Fall that just get you in the mood for the season to come.
Date night at home also means getting to linger at the table and enjoy. There’s no pushy restaurant staff trying to move you along, or babysitter you need to be home for just on time. So you can take your time and really enjoy each other. And I have lots of date night menus here at The Mid Century Modern Romantic to make for a truly special evening. Tacos are always a crowdpleaser, so try my Elegant Shrimp Taco Dinner for Two. Or my Elegant Date Night Dinner at Home is a fan favorite. That meal includes chicken cooked with white wine and bacon, and the most delicious olive oil cake with lemon and raspberries. Absolutely stunning.
I love this Fall-inspired No Cook Menu! It’s one of my favorites, and it’s the perfect nod to the season to come while keeping things really relaxed.
