There’s something special about an Italian date night—whether it’s with your partner, friends, or family. The smell of fresh herbs, the comfort of a homemade meal, and the joy of sharing it together. Now, imagine making it even better with eco-friendly vibes and delicious vegan recipes. Ready to feel like you’re dining in Italy? Check out our mouthwatering vegan dishes!
Aperitivo - Pre-meal Drink & Entrée
Kick off your Italian evening with a chilled glass of Limoncello—this zesty lemon liqueur is the perfect aperitivo to awaken your palate and set the mood. Pair it with a fun antipasti board loaded with cheeses, olives, and veggies. Going vegan? Just swap in plant-based options!
Cin cin!
Our new Paddle Serving Board makes for a great option to serve your antipasti board, to ensure you don't get any microplastics in your food.
Il Secondo - The Main Course: Vegan Woodfire Pizza
Nothing says "Italian date night" like a freshly baked pizza, and our vegan woodfire pizza recipe will have everyone asking for seconds.
Ingredients:
- Pizza dough (store-bought or homemade)
- 1/2 cup tomato sauce
- 1 cup vegan mozzarella
- 1/4 cup sun-dried tomatoes, chopped
- 1/2 cup fresh spinach leaves
- 1/4 cup green olives, sliced
- 1/2 red onion, thinly sliced
- 1 clove garlic, minced
- Fresh basil leaves
- Olive oil
- Salt and pepper to taste
Instructions:
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Prepare the dough: Preheat your wood-fired oven or pizza stone to high heat. Roll out the pizza dough on a lightly floured surface to your desired thickness.
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Add the toppings: Spread a thin layer of tomato sauce over the dough, leaving a small border around the edges. Sprinkle the vegan mozzarella evenly across the pizza. Add the sun-dried tomatoes, spinach, green olives, red onion, and minced garlic.
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Bake: Slide the pizza onto the preheated stone or into the wood-fired oven. Bake for 8-10 minutes, or until the crust is golden and the cheese is melted.
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Finish and serve: Remove the pizza from the oven and drizzle with olive oil. Sprinkle fresh basil leaves on top and season with salt and pepper. Slice and serve hot on our Wood Fibre Pizza Serving Board.
Il Dolci - Dessert: Vegan Lemon Gelato
Ingredients:
- 1 cup full-fat coconut milk
- 1/2 cup almond milk
- 1/2 cup fresh lemon juice
- Zest of 2 lemons
- 1/3 cup agave syrup (or another sweetener)
- 1/4 tsp vanilla extract
- Pinch of sea salt
- Mix the Ingredients: In a bowl, whisk together the coconut milk, almond milk, lemon juice, lemon zest, agave syrup, vanilla extract, and sea salt until everything is well combined.
- Initial Freeze: Pour the mixture into Silicone Freezer Trays, freeze until completely solid, usually about 4-6 hours or overnight.
- Blend: Once the mixture is frozen solid, remove it from the freezer and the Silicone Freezer Trays. Place the frozen cubes or chunks into a high-powered blender.
- Blend Until Smooth: Blend on high until the frozen pieces break down and the mixture becomes smooth and creamy. You might need to stop and scrape down the sides or use a tamper to help the blending process. If the mixture is too thick, add a splash of coconut milk to help it blend.
- Serve or Freeze: Once you achieve a smooth gelato consistency, you can serve it immediately as a soft-serve gelato. For a firmer texture, transfer the blended gelato back into you Silicone Freezer Trays, and freeze for another hour or until it reaches your desired consistency.
Tips:
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Work Quickly: The mixture can melt quickly once blended, so work fast to maintain that creamy texture.
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Blender Choice: A high-powered blender (like a Vitamix or Ninja) works best for this method to ensure smooth blending.
This method gives you creamy, homemade lemon gelato with the convenience of a blender!
An Italian date night is more than just a meal—it's an experience. By using eco-friendly products and vegan recipes, you can create a memorable evening that’s not only delicious but also kind to the planet.
