Craving something refreshing and indulgent to cool off on a hot day? Look no further than my Strawberry and Cream Raspado! This delicious Mexican treat is similar to shaved ice but with tons more flavor, the strawberry twist makes for the perfect flavorful and fruity summer treat. Finely shaved ice is layered with a strawberry sauce and a blend of Real California Condensed milk, heavy cream, and drinkable yogurt that makes for a luscious and creamy raspado. Blend some fresh sun kissed strawberries to the base and top with a drizzle of condensed milk. Whether you’re enjoying it as a…

Fresh and simple ingredients, make this roasted chickpea salad, a dance of flavors that celebrates California’s in season produce. No boring salads around here! As the weather warms up I crave fresh meals, and thankfully there are endless veggie combinations, that make for a delicious salad year round. This Roasted Chickpea and fresh veggie salad, is so flavorful and refreshing! For those days that you want something delicious without too much hassle. The chickpeas are roasted in EVOO, spices and they are nestled in a bed of fresh spring greens. With the addition of cucumbers, snap peas, grilled corn and…

If you’re thinking… fried olives? YES. These fried olive Jalapeno bites are little flavor bombs that are converting even my non-olive loving kids into olive lovers. I’m an olive lover through and through, and confess that I can eat way too many in one sitting-plain, just like that the can is gone. So while plain olives are a quick snack around here, these fried olives are leveling up and bringing the flavor to the party. Olives deserve to be highlighted and really savored in so many ways, even those that are not as common but oh so delicious! You won’t…

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…

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…

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…

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…