Branca Menta & Bourbon Iced Tea

Branca Menta & Bourbon Iced Tea

Summer is officially here and that means COCKTAILS. In San Francisco, summer doesn’t necessarily exist until September, when we have Indian Summer: warmer weather and beautiful sunsets. But that doesn’t mean we can’t enjoy a nice summer drink after work :) 

I wanted to try experiment with some different recipes that incorporated Brancamenta this summer, and here is a really delicious one that will have you reaching for another glass. It’s a nice little spin on iced tea spiked with bourbon, Brancamenta, and finished off with refreshing mint. I made a batch after work last week and I was so surprised at how well balanced it tasted, and how much of a punch it packed. I ended up making quite a few glasses that night :) 

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Crispy Baked Sweet Potato Fries

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Crispy Baked Sweet Potato Fries

Mmm..fries. Sweet Potato Fries at that..sweet, salty, crispy on the outside, tender and steamy on the inside. Baking them in the oven is a healthier option than deep frying them, and with a few simple tricks, they can be just as crispy as well!

Bake some up this weekend for Father’s Day and serve them with a variety of dipping sauces - my favorite is ketchup mixed with a ton of pepper. Some other ideas are chipotle mayo, sweet chili sauce, garlic mayo, honey mustard..the options are endless.

This great snack is versatile in itself, as well. Depending on the way you season the sweet potatoes, they can take on completely different flavor profiles! I wanted to try two different options. I stuck with simple Himalayan Pink Sea Salt and freshly ground pepper, and a fun batch of sweet potatoes dusted with a yummy Cinnamon Sugar mix. Experiment! These are great healthy snacks for your family :) 

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Perfect Roasted Chicken

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Perfect Roasted Chicken

I’ve been thinking about recipes for Father’s Day… and everything that comes to mind when you think about celebrating Dad is meat. Grilled meat, marinaded meat, burgers, ribs…chicken. Roasted chicken is mouthwatering. Crispy, salty skin, moist and tender meat that literally falls off the bone. 

I think that people generally associate roasted chicken with long cook times, dry meat, and overall tediousness. Or, you’ve tried roasting chicken and end up with soggy skin. My two-step process for perfect roasted chicken is fail-proof and guarantees crisp skin and delicious chicken. I’ve shared this recipe on the blog before, but I figured that I would feature it again since it was one of my very first recipes. 

So give it a try, treat dad or your family to a comforting meal that can be served with any side dish, can top a salad, be added to pasta, or be packed for lunch the next day. It’s easier than you think :) 

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Cilantro-Lime Jalapeño Chicken Salad

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Cilantro-Lime Jalapeño Chicken Salad

Chicken Salad is a classic that can be flipped in many ways - it’s so versatile! My twist on the traditional chicken salad is surprisingly refreshing - with a zesty bite from fresh lime juice and cilantro, and a kick from a dash of cumin. 

I usually take a shortcut and shred up some Costco rotisserie chicken. It’s quick, easy, and half the work is already done for you! However, this time around, I decided to start from scratch and cook the chicken myself, starting the layering of flavors from the beginning. This recipe will show you how to poach chicken, dress it up, and serve it for your friends and family. I even included two different serving methods. Halve and season a fresh, ripe avocado and spoon mounds of the creamy chicken salad on top, or split open a few King’s Hawaiian Rolls for easy individual servings. Of course, you can serve these on any variety of great breads - I suggest a nice French or Italian bread :)

Sounds hard, but is actually pretty simple and quick. You’ll love these great flavors! Let’s cook :)

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Strawberry Chia Seed Jam

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Strawberry Chia Seed Jam

By now I’m sure you’ve heard of the amazing health benefits of chia seeds. Chia seeds come from the desert plant Salvia hispanica. In the past few years they have gained popularity because they are an excellent source of omega-3 fatty acid. They also provide about 10 grams of fiber per oz. They contain protein, antioxidants, and minerals such as potassium, magnesium, calcium, and iron. Chia seeds are also gluten free! 

This jam is simple.. organic strawberries, a little agave or organic honey, and chia seeds. Normally, when cooking jam, pectin is necessary to enable the jam to gel. In this case, since the chia seeds bulk up and gel naturally, they easily thicken your jam without any additives. It’s really delicious. Not too sweet, and such a fun texture that is great for spreading on any multitude of things. Enough talking, let’s cook

Hot Caprese Dip

Hot Caprese Dip

Summer is approaching, and that means tons of entertaining - whether it be throwing a bbq, attending a party, or having last minute, drop-in guests over. This is a delicious three (YES, THREE) ingredient dip that is quick, easy, and oozing with flavor.
Serve it with a variety of dipping vessels. I like Stacy’s Pita Chips, especially the Simply Naked Pita Chips. They are baked to perfection, Non-GMO, and are also Kosher. I also suggest Diamond Almond Nut Thins. They’re light and crispy, and Gluten Free! They pair perfectly with the creaminess of the mozzarella, roasted tomatoes, and slight peppery flavor of the basil.

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Gluten Free Stuffed Zucchini Boats

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Gluten Free Stuffed Zucchini Boats

Warm weather is approaching and we’ve all got the beach on our minds. Whether it be ditching work to lay out, festival season, slimming down for the summer, or cooking lighter meals, we are all looking for ways to celebrate the arrival of warmer weather. These Stuffed Zucchini Boats are simple, packed with flavor, and an easy way to get some veggies into your families’ tummies. They can be Gluten Free and are Paleo if you leave out the cheese! :) They are also beautiful for entertaining and are easy on the wallet. 

Raspberry Cream Cheese Cinnamon Crescents

Raspberry Cream Cheese Cinnamon Crescents

Surprise Mom with these delicious pastries that are completely customizable and easy for little ones to make! No need to mess around with puff pastry - crescent roll dough make these treats super accessible. I thought that the slight tang of raspberry jam would pair nicely with sweetened cream cheese, but you can use anything you wish! Apple pie filling, ripe peaches, strawberry preserves, chocolate, or even go the savory route and pair regular cream cheese with salsa and jalapeños. 

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Strawberry Margarita Jello Shots

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Strawberry Margarita Jello Shots

It’s Cinco De Mayo, and what better to celebrate with than Strawberry Margarita Jello Shots? One thing I hate about jello shots is loosening the jello up with your finger, and then trying to get it all out of the tiny little cup. Call me lazy, but I wanted to get around this. Solution? Make the jello shots in fresh strawberries :) 

Cilantro-Lime Vinaigrette

Cilantro-Lime Vinaigrette

Cinco De Mayo is just around the corner, and that got me thinking about a ton of fun recipes for this weekend! Colorful, fresh ingredients make for delicious and vibrant looking meals. 

Trader Joe’s has a great Cilantro Lime dressing that is super tasty…but take one look at the nutrition facts and it’ll make you put it back on the shelf. How to get around this problem? Make it at home! 

My original intention for this vinaigrette was for crispy fish tacos (that’s up next!)…but it turned out so tasty that I've been dipping everything in it. Yum. Here we go! Super easy :)