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Best Fall Date Night Menu Ever…With Wine Pairings!

October 9, 2015 by Jill 7 Comments

This shop has been compensated by Collective Bias, Inc. and its advertiser. All opinions are mine alone. #FallMoments #WoodbridgeWines #CollectiveBias

The following content is intended for readers who are 21 or older.

Fall date night, anyone?

I know it’s fall because pumpkin spice is taking over the world and also because Halloween candy and decorations are displayed in every store. In this part of Texas, we don’t get to enjoy the crisp fall weather and that our neighbors up north do…that doesn’t happen until late in November. People are still wearing shorts and the turning of the leaves is something we only see in pictures.

I know it’s fall because vibrantly colored squash appears in the produce section, telling me it’s time for robust fall recipes.  Our Texas fall nights may be warm but we can bring some great recipes into our kitchen and enjoy the season.

Although Halloween is mostly a kids holiday (or a holiday enjoyed by adults who are still kids at heart) here’s a great fall date night in or adults-only dinner party menu if you need a break from the pumpkin carving and shopping for candy corn. While the month of October is pretty much all about the kids, here’s a great way to carve out some grownup fun time, complete with wine pairings.

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These hearty yet healthy foods allow you to set a beautiful fall table but are relatively quick and easy to make. The soup takes only a few minutes to throw together and the ease of using a crockpot makes a weeknight dinner with friends or a special someone entirely doable and will leave you plenty of time to enjoy what’s really important this fall season: great Woodbridge wines and great company. 

Fall date night dinner party menu with wine pairings|Ripped Jeans and Bifocals|acorn squash ideas|wine pairing ideas|fall dinner ideas|pumpkin soup|crockpot pork medallions

Simple entertaining is often the best entertaining…this is a menu that allows you to enjoy some fall flavor and to also enjoy what matters most – the people in your life!

Table of Contents

  • Pumpkin Black Bean Soup
  • Crockpot pork medallions 
  • Parmesan stuffed acorn squash

Pumpkin Black Bean Soup

Fall date night dinner party menu with wine pairings|Ripped Jeans and Bifocals|acorn squash ideas|wine pairing ideas|fall dinner ideas|pumpkin soup|crockpot pork medallions

Ingredients:

  1. 1 14 oz can diced tomatoes (undrained)
  2. Olive oil (once around the pan a la Rachael Ray!)
  3. 1 can pumpkin
  4. 2 cans black beans, rinsed and drained
  5. 1 can chicken or vegetable broth
  6. 1/2 cup water
  7. 5 scallions (white and greenish white parts)
  8. 1 red pepper
  9. 1 tbps garlic powder
  10. 1 tbps ground cumin
  11. 1/2 tbps curry powder
  12. 1/2 cup freshly grated parmesan or shredded mozzarella
  13. Sea salt and fresh ground pepper to taste

Fall date night dinner party menu with wine pairings|Ripped Jeans and Bifocals|acorn squash ideas|wine pairing ideas|fall dinner ideas|pumpkin soup|crockpot pork medallions

Instructions

Finely chop bell red pepper and thinly slice scallions. Separate the green parts from the white/greenish white parts

Heat olive oil over medium heat in large saucepan. Add bell pepper, white/greenish white parts of the scallions and garlic powder. Cook until soft – about 4 minutes. Stir in cumin and curry, cook for another minute.

Add in black beans, chicken broth, tomatoes, water and pumpkin.

Bring to a boil, then reduce heat to low. Cook ten minutes, then stir in salt and pepper.

Top with shredded Parmesan cheese and the green parts of the onion.

 

Crockpot pork medallions 

Fall date night dinner party menu with wine pairings|Ripped Jeans and Bifocals|acorn squash ideas|wine pairing ideas|fall dinner ideas|pumpkin soup|crockpot pork medallions

Ingredients:

  1. 1.5 pounds pork tenderloin
  2. 8 oz fresh mushrooms
  3. 8 scallions
  4. 1/2 tbsp dried thyme*
  5. 1 tbsp garlic powder*
  6. 1 cup chicken broth
  7. 1 cup full-bodied red wine (I used Woodbridge Cabernet Sauvingnon.)
  8. Fresh ground black pepper and sea salt to taste (I use smoked sea salt for an extra pop of flavor.)

*fresh garlic and herbs may be subbed

Instructions:

Slice the pork into half inch thick slices (medallions)

Slice mushrooms

Thinly slice the white/whitish green tops of the scallions…make sure to cut off the very top of the scallion

Note: the meat and the veggies can be pre-sliced and stored in the refrigerator overnight…this can be a timesaver for you as you’re getting your crockpot ready in the morning.

Place pork in the crockpot. Top with dry seasonings, then vegetables. Pour in wine and broth.  Cover and cook on high for 8 hours.

The pork medallions will be fork tender. Serve with the “au jus” spooned over the meat or on the side.

Fall date night dinner party menu with wine pairings|Ripped Jeans and Bifocals|acorn squash ideas|wine pairing ideas|fall dinner ideas|pumpkin soup|crockpot pork medallions

Parmesan stuffed acorn squash

Ingredients:

  1. 2 acorn squash
  2. 1 cup fresh grated Parmesan cheese
  3. 1/4 cup heavy cream
  4. 4 tbps butter
  5. 1 tsp garlic powder
  6. Sea salt and fresh ground pepper to taste

Instructions

Slice the squash in half lengthwise and remove all seeds and pulp

Place about an inch and a half of water in a shallow baking dish. Add the squash, flesh side down. Microwave on high for 15-20 minutes.

Remove from microwave, shake off excess water. Place on cookie sheet flesh side up. The meat of the squash should be fork tender*. Place a tablespoon of butter inside each squash. Sprinkle with equal parts garlic powder and add equal parts cream, then cheese. Top with salt and pepper.

*Microwaving drastically cuts cooking time. If you want to bake a raw squash, you’ll need about an hour at 400 degrees Farenheit to cook the squash all the way through.

Broil squash at on high for about 5-10 minutes…time will vary with size of squash.  Filling should be browned and bubbly. Serve with pork medallions and enjoy! Oh, and seriously, people? This is the best squash recipe ever.

Fall date night dinner party menu with wine pairings|Ripped Jeans and Bifocals|acorn squash ideas|wine pairing ideas|fall dinner ideas|pumpkin soup|crockpot pork medallions

Woodbridge wines were the perfect compliment to this simple yet impressive menu. Red or white goes equally well with pork. I like serving the Woodbridge Lightly Oaked Chardonnay with the soup or as a pre-dinner cocktail and the Woodbridge Cabernet Sauvignon with the main course but there’s no hard and fast rule. I like to keep both on hand…some people have preference for red over white and it’s nice to be able to offer a choice. For more creative ideas on how to choose the perfect wine for your meal, check out Woodbrige Wine on Pinterest for some “winespiration.”

If you have a Pinterest board for party ideas or date night ideas, pin this menu for later!

Fall date night dinner party menu with wine pairings|Ripped Jeans and Bifocals|acorn squash ideas|wine pairing ideas|fall dinner ideas|pumpkin soup|crockpot pork medallions

 

I really hope you try and enjoy these awesome fall recipes. For more cool ideas on how to enjoy a “Halloween for grownups” check out this Simple Entertaining Social Hub and join the conversation.

I know not everyone is a wine lover but for us, the wine selections made these simple dishes pop. Wines don’t have to be pretentious or expensive to be good. If you’re interested in checking out an in-store wine demonstration on October 30th to learn more about awesome Woodbridge wines, check THIS LIST to find a location near you. If you’re out picking up those last little goodies for Halloween night, why not treat yourself?
Thank you for reading! Please follow me on Facebook, too!

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For more great ideas for crockpot meals, follow my Crockpot Goodness Pinterest Board!

Follow Ripped Jeans and Bifocals’s board Crockpot Goodness on Pinterest.


7 Comments

« Yes, I make my 5-year-old make his own lunch
A child of my own »

Comments

  1. Kenya G. Johnson says

    October 9, 2015 at 8:14 pm

    Well my husband would never go for the soup but my parents will. They are visiting next weekend. Hey are vegetarians and they love wine! AND we’re going to have a little cold front so this will easy peasy and perfect. Wish I had a glass of that Chardonnay right now!

    Reply
    • Jill says

      October 9, 2015 at 9:26 pm

      Use vegetable broth instead of the chicken and it will be truly vegetarian. It’s really good! I made if for my kids last week, too…and they tore it up!!!

      Reply
  2. Crystal Green says

    October 10, 2015 at 1:36 pm

    These all sound like wonderful meals worth trying out. I’m not a wine person, but it’s nice to learn about these different kinds of wines to pair with these meal options. Thank you for sharing.

    Reply
  3. Kelly @ Texas Type A Mom says

    October 10, 2015 at 9:43 pm

    My husband and I are way overdue for a date night and this is such a great idea! I love that you’ve taken the guess work out of prepping a fun fall meal for the two of us! #client

    Reply

Trackbacks

  1. Pumpkin and Black Bean Soup with Parmesan Cheese Crackers • Ripped Jeans & Bifocals says:
    October 30, 2015 at 10:52 pm

    […] So…there ya go. Easy, nutritious and pretty to look at. For menu and wine pairings that go with this soup, click HERE. […]

    Reply
  2. 25+ Awesome Sides and Extras for your Thanksgiving Table - Ripped Jeans & Bifocals says:
    September 14, 2016 at 10:36 pm

    […] Parmesan stuffed acorn squash – Ripped Jeans and Bifocals […]

    Reply
  3. 50+ Kick Ass Fall Crock Pot Recipes - Ripped Jeans & Bifocals says:
    October 21, 2017 at 9:39 pm

    […] Crock pot pork medallions – Ripped Jeans and Bifocals […]

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All About Jill

I'm a digital content creator and essayist who copes with parenting and most other situations with humor and snark. Just so you know, if this weren't the internet, I'd be smiling awkwardly and answering simple questions like "How are you today" with gems like "I like pockets."

I really do love pockets, though.

I spent 26 years in the USAF, which went by really, really fast. I'm very proud of my service but I'm loving my second act even more. Writing gives me the opportunity to flex my creative muscles and that's what makes me happy. Welcome.

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Jill Robbins
This little guy wasn’t a keeper - a fish has to This little guy wasn’t a keeper - a fish has to be at least 20 inches long to keep and this one was a couple of inches short. That said, the excitement of catching my first fish was BIG. 🎣 
.
I was invited down to South Padre Island this weekend for #NationalCookYourCatchDay and I’m not gonna lie: I was a little nervous. Things could go wrong. I could fall out of the boat, break something or get eaten by a shark. (I have a vivid imagination.)
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None of those things happened.
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Our boat caught enough keepers to feed us dinner and I wanna go fishing again.  I liked it a lot more than I expected to.
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I’m still going through pictures and videos and I’ll tell you all you want to know about planning your own fishing trip on the Texas Gulf Coast + where to eat and some other things to do. Every day can 
be #nationalcookyourcatchday 
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📷 taken at Wasserman Wranch near Alpine. Check my bio link for more information. 

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"Intelligence + Character. That is the goal of tru "Intelligence + Character. That is the goal of true education." Dr. Martin Luther King, Jr.

I saw a lot of posts about Martin Luther King yesterday when I was doing my scrolls through social media...on a day where I wasn't supposed to be ON social media, ahem. We hear and see a lot of Dr. King's words and quotes one day a year. So, instead of apologizing for posting this "a day late" I'll share that I'm challenging myself to remember some of these important words more than one day a year.

Our kids are watching us right now. I mean...they're always watching us but I think what they see in these times is more important than ever. Nuturing our kids' intelligence and character is more important than ever. My kids are 10 now - this picture is about four years old - and they are absorbing EVERYTHING we say, how we say it and even what we don't say. 

This mural is near the suspension bridge in downtown Waco. Waco is famous for all the Magnolia things but there's a lot there for families, too, and the park around the bridge is a great place to explore along the Brazos River. 

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Here’s something you’ve probably never seen be Here’s something you’ve probably never seen before: my bottom teeth.
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I always hide my crooked bottom teeth in pictures and I’m super self-conscious when I talk. So I did something about it.
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I wore braces as a kid and my top teeth are straight but my bottom teeth are shifting and one tooth is traveling into the back of my mouth and I have some crowding. My orthodontist said it’s very unusual to put braces on just half your mouth but my bite is still aligned so they didn’t have to put them on my top teeth - my wallet is thankful.
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Questions I’ve already been asked:
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1️⃣ At your age? Yes, at my age. I still care about my smile. 
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3️⃣ How long do you have to wear them?
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6-9 months.
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3️⃣ Do they hurt? 
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My teeth are sore and my mouth is tender but not to the Tylenol level so I guess the answer is “Not too much.”
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Other questions? Advice?
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#braceface #adultbraces
Little things can really be big - do you agree? M Little things can really be big - do you agree?

My husband gets up with our kids twice a week and does their breakfast and morning routine and takes them to school so I can sleep in. I don't laze away the morning in bed - it usually amounts to about an extra hour of sleep for me and a little more peace and quiet as I start my day. 

This probably seems like a little thing but this is huge for me. The mental benefits of not having to set my alarm on a schoolday is truly my love language. I would rather have sleep than flowers or presents. 

On those morning where my husband takes my kids to school, I will inevitably find the kitchen not "just so." There will be spills on the table or something that didn't get put away. I resist the urge to be sarcastic or to ask "Um, is there a reason we have four boxes of cereal just sitting on the counter?" or point out that it would take less than 30 seconds to wipe a tabletop or put a box back on the shelf. I resist saying stuff like "I guess if I want it done a certain way, I have to do it myself." I don't even say that to myself. 

My husband isn't "doing me a favor" by taking care of our kids. When I talked about being stressed and tired during an argument last year, he offered to take some things off my plate and giving me two mornings where I don't have to set an alarm was one of his ideas. It's part of the give and take of marriage and even though it makes me clench a little when I see spilled milk or stuff that hasn't put away, I appreciate having a partner who shares the load with me. 

My marriage definitely is not perfect and I'm in no position to give relationship advice. But for us, this one little thing is a really big deal. 

And, as I've recently discovered, a cereal box can sit on the counter for several days and the world doesn't explode. Who knew.

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