• Garden

    Garden Seed Starting Guide (Zone 9B)

    February 10, 2025 - By 

    As I eagerly await spring and the endless possibilities of a new season, it fills me excitement to think about the year ahead. I hope you use this information packed guide as a resource as we kick off the 2025 gardening season, to start all those fun vegetable varieties for your own garden. In this seed starting guide I will go over my no fuss methods of starting my seeds indoors and outdoors. When and how to start seeds. Why you should know your first and last frost date & growing zone. I will share with you what I like…

  • Food

    Spiced Prune and Persimmon Bread

    December 28, 2024 - By 

    There is really nothing like the cooler weather to nudge me to turn on the oven and bake something sweet and delicious. The sweet aroma of this spiced prune and persimmon bread, filling up the house, on a gloomy day is such a treat! This easy to bake bread is comforting, perfectly moist and so rich in flavor. It’s full of warm spices that accentuate caramel notes from the sweet prunes and elevate the cinnamon honey flavor of fresh Fuyu persimmons. It’s persimmon season in California and it just so happens to be one of my favorite fruits, so I’m…

  • Growing calendula
    Garden

    How to grow calendula and it’s benefits!

    November 15, 2024 - By 

    It’s easy to grow calendula in the garden for it’s medicinal benefits! I would even dare say calendula is quite possibly the easiest flower to grow from seed! It’s the beginning of April and that means it’s calendula season here in California. Blooms are lining walkways, empty fields and perfectly curated gardens are putting on a show. Calendulas will grow anywhere they have a little.. and I mean a LITTLE of what they need. Looking at their delicate petals you wouldn’t think they would be such hardy plants! Keep reading to learn how amazing this plant is and how to…

  • Food

    Olive and Pepper Queso Fundido

    October 11, 2024 - By 

    Need a quick appetizer that is full of flavor? This Olive and Pepper Queso Fundido is just what you need to please a crowd. Best of all its a one pan deal that is super easy to make. So whether you’re whipping this up on game night or during the week this is a delicious and easy option! What exactly is Queso fundido? It translates to “melted cheese”, this baked cheese appetizer is composed of melted Oaxacan cheese that offers the perfect cheese pull! But that’s not all, this appetizer has crisp chorizo bits throughout and layers of fresh veg…

  • fava beans
    Garden

    Growing fava beans in the garden

    September 9, 2024 - By 

    Growing fava beans in the garden means abundant food but did you know that fava plants can enhance the health of your soil? Fava beans are often used as a cover crop by farmers and gardeners to boost the nitrogen and condition the soil in agriculture! This versatile legume is more than a delicious addition to the kitchen menu. Keep reading to learn how to reap the benefits of the fava bean in the garden and in the kitchen. Fava beans also known as broad beans that have been dated back to 11,000 years ago! With early cultivation in Israel…

  • Food

    The Best Salsa Macha!

    July 11, 2024 - By 

    Let’s be honest I have a salsa for every occasion but this salsa macha doubles as a daily condiment that is always within reach in my kitchen. In fact I’ve shared MANY jars of this sauce with friends and family. It’s that good! This is an oil based sauce that imparts incredible smokey, nutty and savory flavor. With a blend of dried chilies ranging from mild to spicy. This salsa offers more than a kick of heat; it’s a flavor explosion. Keep reading to find out my secret ingredient (*hint it takes 9 months to grow!) Essential in this salsa…

  • Food

    Squash blossom quesadillas

    July 1, 2024 - By 

    Did you know squash blossoms are completely edible? Yes, these beautiful bright yellow squash flowers (flor de calabaza) are considered a delicacy! They are tender delicate and have a very mild taste with a hint of sweetness. Let’s step into a very traditional way of enjoying squash blossoms. Its a simple dish that that is packed with flavor in every bite and lets face it if you’re like me quesadillas are ALWAYS a good idea. To fit the occasion these quesadillas are made with purple corn masa-although ready made tortillas will work just fine if short on time. These squash…

  • Food

    Blueberry Coconut Flan

    May 14, 2024 - By 

    This blueberry coconut flan is the dessert combo you didn’t know you needed! Traditional Mexican flan is getting a delicious berry spin! This blueberry and coconut flan is delightfully smooth and rich. With just the right balance of creamy coconut flavor and sweet bursting goodness from bright California Grown blueberries. This is one show stopping dessert nestled under a golden caramel layer. Sweet, fresh & creamy this dessert has it all and is sure to be a crowd pleaser. Pssst… it’s also simple to make! Flan was actually one of the first desserts I learned how to make from scratch,…

  • Homemade rosemary salt
    Food

    Homemade rosemary salt

    May 2, 2024 - By 

    Homemade rosemary salt is what ignited my love for this herb AND focaccia bread- let me explain! Rosemary has been on the backburner of my garden so to speak. She was there but not being appreciated for her full potential. Until one evening I randomly decided I wanted to learn how to make focaccia bread. The recipe called for yup you guessed it rosemary! Out of the oven came the most delicious focaccia bread I have ever tried. It was perfection the combination of olive oil, crunchy but fluffy bread, garlic, salt and rosemary.. it was a flavor explosion! That…

  • Easy homemade chamoy
    Food

    Homemade chamoy

    December 18, 2023 - By 

    This all natural Mexican chamoy brings a flavor explosion to your taste buds. You wouldn’t believe its made from a base of all things good for you, like deliciously plump California prunes and other dried fruits. This chamoy hits all the right notes sweet, tart, salty and a little heat. It’s a fabulous pairing drizzled over fresh cut fruit or even to rim cocktails, micheladas and the ever so famous mangonada. If you’ve never experienced this popular Mexican sauce you are in for a real treat plus it’s easy to make right at home! What exactly is chamoy sauce? Chamoy…