Good Eats

I've been wanting to try these yummy recipes for awhile, thanks to the suggestions of other bloggers, and I just needed a really good excuse.

A few weeks ago Tom was in crunch time to study for his final CPA test (of four).

Tom and I met just after he'd taken his first test and was in the middle of studying for his second. When I found out he was an almost-CPA (Certified Public Accountant) I thought there was no way we would end up dating because accountants work long hours, late nights, and have to study constantly for the CPA. They don't have any extra time for friends, family or themselves, let alone to go on dates or get to know anyone new. Turns out my best friend (and investment banker wife) was right when she spouted her words of wisdom much along the lines of "He's Just Not That Into You" with "If a guy wants to spend time with you, he'll make time. It doesn't matter how busy he is, he'll find a way." And wouldn't you know that he found a way to make me his study buddy. He kept inviting me over, and I kept showing up. I quickly became accustomed to lending moral support and comic relief to the grueling nights after work that he would sit at his computer and listen to the droning guy from the 80s re-brief him on everything he'd already learned in college and grad school, followed by a series of practice tests and finally the big testing day. Hours would pass with us sitting in the same room and not uttering a word but purely enjoying each other's presence. That's when I hoped things between us wouldn't stop at a flirtatious fling. Because it's not everyday you find a man you can sit in silence with and be totally happy. And finally, when his brain could take no more, we would watch Arrested Development together and cuddle into the wee hours of mornings that should not be wee.

Test Two. Passed! Test Three. Conquered! Test Four on the horizon... and this study buddy away for work. So, in my absence, I decided to leave some treats and surprises behind to keep him focused and up beat. I hid notes around his room, left a card for him to read each night, and then, to keep my spot on the study couch secure, I threw in dinner and dessert to hold him over for the first couple nights.

Here's what I made, and highly recommend:

Cupcake Lasagna

These are single servings of deliciousness! Easy, fun, and family friendly. Tom claims it's the best lasagna he's ever had. That made me feel fuzzy inside. Instead of making it with spinach, I made ground beef. But its nice to have a vegetarian option. I also didn't garnish the top with a cherry tomato, but rather made the top layer of "noodles" into I Heart U shapes. I had extra time (Tom was out of town), I like being creative with food, and I'm cheesy like that. Plus, I do heart him.

Chocolate-Covered Frozen Banana Bites
(also a hit with my roomies)

For best results, hide each edible in your boyfriend's / lover's fridge or freezer and leave for the Hamptons for a week. He'll really appreciate it. Just note that he also may postpone his final test for another month and you will likely have to do all these things again, but in person. Which I don't mind one single bit.