Surprise your sweetie with a home-cooked meal – it’s a budget-conscious way to show you care, and you won’t have to compete with dining-out crowds to book a dinner reservation! We’ve outlined a complete, restaurant-quality meal below, including an appetizer, main course, salad, and dessert. While it may be a bit ambitious for a weeknight, the meal is a great choice for date night at home to serve during Sunday’s Oscars telecast. Bon appetit!
Typically a dessert, this savory take on the French dish coueur a la crème is perfect as an appetizer (the word “coueur” also means “heart,” in keeping with the date night theme!). The prep time is negligible in this make-ahead dish, but keep in mind that the cheese will need to strain for about 12 hours. Serve with crackers and fresh vegetables for an elegant appetizer. The best part? Any leftover coueur a la crème will taste delicious on a bagel the following morning.
The addition of champagne is a romantic touch to this comforting meal. We love the use of angel hair pasta: it cooks up quickly and absorbs all the flavors of the creamy sauce. Make the meal come together even faster by purchasing peeled, deveined shrimp.
Fresh fig is an aphrodisiac, and its mellow, sweet flavors are the perfect contrast to bright and peppery arugula. The salad carries on the subtly Mediterranean notes of the meal with the addition of pine nuts (toast them first to bring out the flavor) and a drizzle of honey. Parmesan cheese is an apt topping to tie the meal together – it’s also used in the main course.
Like fig, cinnamon has aphrodisiacal properties. Its floral notes also help intensify the semisweet chocolate flavors in this Mexican chocolate pound cake. Though the cake is plenty decadent on its own, we recommend serving it with a scoop of vanilla bean ice cream.
Mardi Gras may be over, but the party continues at 1st Lake Properties: our February Apartment Specials will give you plenty of reason to celebrate! From reduced moving costs at Lakes of Chateau Estates North to up to $1,800 in savings available at our new property, Bella Ridge, we have plenty of beautiful apartments in Greater New Orleans and throughout the Gulf South. Take a look at our specials now!
Lakes of Chateau Estates South – Call now to find out about our reduced rates on select floor plans at this Kenner community. Amenities like a putting green and private lake perfect for outdoor enthusiasts.
Lakes of Chateau Estates North – Premium finishes like crown molding and plantation-style blinds set the tone for luxury living at this Kenner property. This month, we’re offering savings on moving costs – call to find out more.
Arbor Gate – This month’s special for Arbor Gate – a $99 deposit and reduced rates – provides you with unbeatable deals on thoughtful amenities like a state-of-the-art fitness center and tranquil green space. In Picayune, MS, this community also features reduced initial moving fees and lease terms on select units.
Regency Club – This January at Regency Club in Baton Rouge, LA, you’ll find up to $50 rate reductions plus up to 1/2 month free rent on select units. Perks like a sand volleyball court and tennis court will help you stick to your healthy New Year’s Resolutions.
Brewster Commons at River Chase – Get 50 percent off your deposit plus waived admin fees at this Covington, LA property. You’ll also find reduced rents on select units, which could save you $600 or more. Granite countertops and wood-finish floorings create a sense of luxury at this Northshore community.
Hickory Creek Central – This River Ridge community features alarm systems, fireplaces, and oversized tubs in all of its two-bedroom apartments. Call now to take advantage of two weeks free rent and special pricing on select units.
Hickory Creek East – Located just minutes from downtown New Orleans, this property boasts lush landscaping that creates a quiet respite perfect for relaxation at home. Select units feature special pricing and two weeks free rent, plus perks like free movie rentals.
Bella Ridge – Opening in March, Bella Ridge truly has it all: sparkling granite counter tops, an attached parking garage, an on-site dog park, soaking tubs, and much more. Be the first to live in your unit, plus save up to $1,800 with special rental rates on select units.
Sure, you have your costume picked out, but is your home decorated for Mardi Gras? We’ll show you two different ways to jazz up your space just in time for Fat Tuesday. For both crafts, you’ll need Mardi Gras beads. Speaking of…
Whether you’re in need of beads or need to get rid of some, Beads by the Pound program – the Arc recycling center in Metairie not only saves you money but also provides green jobs and helps save the planet.
OK, do you have your beads ready? Here we go!
Materials
Method
First, measure your beads. Necklaces that are 24-inches long correspond perfectly with 4-inch felt rounds; necklaces that are 16-inches long fit with 3-inch felt circles. Find the point where the string of beads joins together (usually a deformed bead) and cut it off to make one long string rather than a necklace. Remove any medallions or pendants using pliers.
Place a dot of fabric glue in the center of the felt round. Attach one end of the bead string to the center dot, then wind around in a spiral motion, adhering with fabric glue as you go around. Continue until you run out of beads, then let dry overnight.
For a complete tutorial, visit Rust & Sunshine.
Materials
Method
Simply place the beads in the bottom of the glass vessel, and place a tea light on top. Remember to never leave a lit candle unattended!
For color ideas and a complete how-to, visit Bustle.
Friday the 13th might be considered unlucky, but we’re changing all that with latest Jeans Day. Not only will our employees luck out with permission to wear jeans to work, but Animal Rescue New Orleans will also benefit – in order to be eligible to wear jeans, employees must bring a donation of $5 or more for ARNO.
You already know our commitment to animals – our new Bella Ridge property has a dedicated dog park, and many of our properties are pet-friendly – but you may not be aware of our ongoing relationship with ARNO. Our recent December pet drive benefited this no-kill shelter, and we saw great results! 1st Lake residents raised $228 cash, $260 in checks, and more than $300 in gift cards, plus plenty of donated items like food and supplies. Thank you for your help!
Our Feb. 13 Jeans Day is limited to employees, but we always encourage our residents to contribute to the community by helping ARNO!
Here are a few ways you can participate:
Adopt or Foster an Animal
ARNO has many cats and dogs who are eligible for adoption. Contact ARNO for more information, and review their materials for adopting and fostering.
Volunteer
Taking care of so many animals is hard work for the ARNO staff. They rely on volunteers to help, and you can be part of that! Assist with animal care, dog walking, kennel and cage cleaning, laundry, or even fun tasks like playing with kittens. Volunteering at ARNO also counts toward school service hours.
Donate
ARNO accepts monetary donations, gift cards to places like Wal-Mart and Petco, and specific goods like sponges and trash bags. ARNO’s canine residents need Purina One Dog Chow and Puppy Chow, canned dog food, and four-foot-long leashes. If you’d like to donate on behalf of their feline residents, bring Purina One Cat Chow, Purina One Kitten Chow, or large-size litter pans.
We can’t wait to wear our jeans on Feb. 13 to support this amazing animal shelter!
King cake is popular this time of year, but it’s not the only way to celebrate Mardi Gras. Check out some recipes inspired by one of our favorite parades, Zulu.
The krewe rolls on Mardi Gras Day, Feb. 17, in Uptown at 8:00 a.m. Perhaps you’ll get one of their prized coconuts, but if not, no problem! Whether you prefer savory or sweet, we’ve got your coconut fix right here with these easy coconut recipes.
The exotic flavors of coconut create an intriguing flavor combination alongside Brussels sprouts while toasted coconut flakes add a satisfying crunch. Hearty enough for a vegetarian main, this dish is also the perfect side for a steakhouse dinner at home.
With Mardi Gras falling close to Valentine’s Day, we think this recipe is a delectable way to celebrate both. Surprise your sweetie with a cranberry coconut trifle – pops of red cranberry tie in Valentine’s colors while coconut, of course, says nothing but Zulu. You can follow the instructions for the homemade sponge cake, but we won’t tell if you use store-bought ladyfingers instead.
This classic dish is healthier when baked. The dipping sauce continues the theme of exotic flavors – curry, rice vinegar, and orange zest are spicy and bright. Serve as an appetizer or pair with a simple salad for an elegant weeknight dinner.
You had us at “slow-cooker.” This one-pot meal is a wonderful and warming dish to come home to – simply put assemble all the ingredients and let the slow cooker do the work while you’re at the office. Chicken breasts are a healthy choice, but you can swap boneless, skinless chicken thighs for a more budget-conscious meal.
Five ingredients and you’re on your way to moist and chewy cookies. They’re also gluten-free! Drizzle them with chocolate for extra richness and depth of flavor.
1st Lake Properties | P. O. Box 73709 | Metairie, LA 70033 | info@1stlake.com
