The Little Penguin

Libido movies (as if you needed any help)

Try popping one of these babies into the DVD player and see if you can make it to the credits fully clothed.

• The Thomas Crown Affair
• Bull Durham
• The Big Easy
• Like Water for Chocolate
• 9 1/2 Weeks
• Dangerous Liaisons
• The Postman Always Rings Twice (1946 or 1981)
• Lolita (1962)

Renting movies makes you feel like you're actually doing something besides watching TV (even though all you're really doing is watching TV) and it proffers a fine opportunity to cuddle and more. There's only one drawback: You start snuggling during the first act, and the next thing you know it's over—it doesn't matter if it's Night of the Living Dead, couples in lust do not see the ends of movies. Period.

DATE #2

Wine for the morning-after Brunch? Why not?

What better way to start the day with that new special someone then a sexy brunch. The Little Penguin White Sangria is just the thing you need to refresh, and it pairs perfectly with scrumptious omelets and a side of mixed greens or fruit.

The Little Penguin White Sangria

Ingredients

• 1 bottle the Little Penguin Pinot Grigio
• 1 cup pineapple juice
• ¼ cup lime juice
• 1 cup lemon-lime soda
• Sliced oranges and limes

Directions

1. Add 2 scoops of ice to a 2-qt. pitcher.
2. Pour in the Little Penguin Pinot Grigio and the two juices. Stir well.
3. Add soda. Stir quickly.
4. Add 6 orange slices and 2 lime slices.
5. Pour into tall tumbler with ice.
6. Garnish with orange and lime.

Customized Omelets

The secret to light, heavenly omelets is the pan; yours should be non-stick, heavy, and have a base of at least 5 inches in diameter. If your pan is at all scratched or nicked the omelet will not cook evenly so use a rubber spatula. The eggs should be very fresh and must be at room temperature. If you mess it up, just scramble the whole thing. No one will be the wiser.

Note: Salt will toughen the omelet as it cooks; don't use it until serving.

Omelet and Fritatta fillings

Omelets and frittatas are a great way to take advantage of a recent grocery shopping spree, or a fridge full of leftovers. Demonstrate a little creativity outside the love slave arena and try filling yours with:

• tomatoes, basil and crumbled feta cheese
• grilled peppers, onions and mushrooms
• crabmeat and gruyere
• country ham and fresh sweet corn
• feta cheese, sautéed spinach and Kalamata olives
• grated cheddar cheese, salsa and sour cream

Leek, Potato and Ham Fritatta

A fritatta is the rustic Italian alternative to an omelet and even the most culinary-challenged among us can't screw it up. My favorite is this stick-to-the-ribs combination of potatoes and ham coupled with fresh, tender leeks. Make sure to cook very slowly over low heat.

DATE #3

Make-Your-Own Pizza Party

You're definitely missing out if the last time you had a make-your-own-pizza party was in third grade. Pizza parties aren't just for kids; they're ideal for home cooks. Invite a few couples over, grab some Little Penguin Merlot and create some pies!

You can do as much or as little prepping as you want, every guest can participate, and no one goes home hungry. Besides, if someone's not happy with his food, he has no one to blame but himself.

To keep things easy, check out the fresh pizza dough at the store, or mix it up and try a cornmeal crust. Or you can make your own with the Basic Pizza Dough recipe below.

To keep preparation to a minimum, start with the basics:

• pizza sauce
• shredded mozzarella
• sliced peppers, onions, mushrooms, onions
• pepperoni, ham, Canadian bacon or sausage
• oregano
• hot chili flakes
• grated parmesan

If you really want to test your friends' culinary creativity and wow them with your own, set out any of the following:

• shredded Gouda or fontina, crumbled gorgonzola and goat cheese, fresh ricotta
• fresh roasted garlic
• roasted plum tomato slices
• homemade pesto
• artichokes
• sliced roasted potatoes
• fresh oregano, basil, thyme
• black and green olives
• white truffle oil

Basic Pizza Sauce

To encourage your guests to participate in the event, ask each person to bring a jar of his or her own favorite tomato sauce. You may end up with a classic tomato basil, a roasted tomato sauce with extra garlic, or one made sweet with a hint of red pepper. My favorite red sauce recipe contains a ton of garlic – so if you serve it, just make sure everyone eats it!

Basic Pizza Dough

• 1 cup warm water
• 1 package active dry yeast
• 2 1/2 to 3 cups all-purpose flour
• 2 tablespoons olive oil
• 1/2 teaspoon salt

Combine the water, yeast, and 1 1/2 cups of the flour in a large bowl. Mix well. Add the oil, salt, and remaining flour. With large wooden spoon or your hands mix the ingredients together until the dough holds its shape. You may need a bit less flour, so add the last half gradually. Place the dough on a lightly floured surface and knead until smooth and elastic, about 5 minutes. If the dough becomes sticky, sprinkle a bit more flour over it. Transfer the dough to a lightly oiled 2-quart bowl. Cover the bowl with plastic wrap or a kitchen towel, and let the dough rest until it has doubled in size, about 1 hour.

When the dough has risen, place it on a lightly floured surface, divide it into two or more parts and roll them into balls. Cover them with a towel and let rest for 15 minutes. The dough is ready to be shaped, topped and cooked.

Mangia Mangia

Have everyone garnish their pizzas, then pop in the oven, bake as directed on the dough, and start pouring the Little Penguin Merlot. That's all there is to it. You look like a genius, your partner thinks more highly of you, you get more booty. Pizza, red wine and booty—does it get any better than that?

Don't screw it up, you have to eat it.

Remember making spin-art as a kid? You'd have the best time squirting every color of paint onto the whirling canvas and when it finally came to a stop; your work of art…looked like crap. The same goes for your pizza.