One of my best girlfriend’s is a hardcore football fanatic… some people even call her “Football Monique.” Needless to say she’s hosting a party for the big game this year at her place since her team has earned it’s way into the championship. I won’t be (more…)

I’m all about entertaining for the holidays , and this past week really got me thinking about my upbringing and how it all seems to meld together as an adult. You see…. my dad’s side of the family is from the south, and makes a seriously delicious sweet potato pie. I went to an all Jewish elementary school in Brentwood as a young girl, and learned about jewish traditions and foods. Being born a Latin girl afforded me the privilege of growing up eating spicy foods like soy-chorizo and chipotle among many other flavors…. (more…)

Disclosure: This is part of a sponsored collaboration with the California Milk Processor Board and Latina Mom Bloggers. However, all opinions expressed are my own.

My dad comes from a long line of excellent cooks. Even he has the touch that makes food so dreamy. As a young girl I would watch the food preparation unfold in his house especially during the holidays. Lots of hands chopping, stirring, whipping, and mashing. My busy eyes would dart from on side of the room to the other. My Grandmother (my dad’s mom, who was born and raised in Tijuana) (more…)

Ay! My Mom…. I can’t take her anywhere. It was 15 years ago, I was navigating my way through the food scene here in Los Angeles. Trying out all the newest hot spots with the most promising chefs hidden behind closed cooking quarters. Now I couldn’t go out to eat by myself, so a lot of times I would drag my best companion along with me, my Mom. Even though she would kick and scream the (more…)

My Thanksgiving is gonna be a little wonky this year. My viejo is off in Europe on tour and won’t be home for a few more weeks, and my Aunt who I usually spend the holidays with is going to a friend’s house. My Momma is vegetarian and says the holiday isn’t something she really wants to celebrate. Lucky for me, my son and I are surrounded by amazing friends who have all extended invites to join them and their families for a Thanksgiving feast. I decided to spend Thanksgiving with a dear friend who lives close by. The only thing is… I am for the first time in a position where I am not cooking the main part of the meal. It is both liberating and nerve wrecking. I love that I can actually get ready this year and not be a slave to the kitchen, but it makes me nervous to try and figure out what I can bring as a simple appetizer.

While at Walmart the other day I decided to just walk the market area to see if I could find some inspiration… I knew I wanted to use goat cheese, but wasn’t sure about much of anything else. My friend’s only instruction was to bring a little something we could munch on before dinner is served. After about 10 minutes of strolling I came across some stuffing mushrooms and figured it wouldn’t be the holidays without stuffed mushrooms. Here’s to you and yours…. Happy Thanksgiving!

Ingredients for stuffed mushrooms:

• stuffing mushrooms
• goat cheese (room temperature)
• cream cheese (room temperature)
• basil (fresh, chopped)
• smoked paprika

Directions:

1. Wash and dry mushrooms. With a small pairing knife cut around the stem of the mushroom, then with a spoon scoop the center out. Set to the side. 
2. In a bowl mix goat cheese and cream cheese together.
3. Mix basil into cheese mixture.
4. Preheat oven to 375 degrees Fahrenheit.
5. Line a baking sheet with aluminum foil. Set to the side.
6. Spoon a heaping tablespoon into the center of each mushroom. 
7. Place on the baking sheet.
8. Sprinkle the tops with paprika.
9. Bake for 20 minutes.
10. Place mushrooms under broiler for 4 to 5 minutes to brown the top.
11. Allow to cool for 10 minutes.
12. Enjoy!

It was Thanksgiving at my house yesterday. I made all the fixings for a Thanksgiving feast, and invited a few friends over to dive in. I decided to post this recipe out of everything that was made because (1) it’s not on my blog yet, and (2) my friends want to make it for there families this Thanksgiving. Sourdough Chorizo Cherry Stuffing…. It doesn’t get better than that.

Ingredients for Sourdough Chorizo Cherry Stuffing:

• 8 – cups sourdough bread cubes (2 medium loaves cut into 1 inch cubes)
• 18 – oz. Mexican soy chorizo (plastic casing removed)
• 5 – oz. can of black olives sliced
• 1 – onion (chopped into small cubes)
• 7 – stalks of green onion (chopped)
• 1 1/2 – cup grated carrots
• 1 – cup julienned sun dried tomatoes (boiled to plump/moisten)
• 1 1/4 – cup dried cherries
• 1/4  –  cup fresh basil (chopped)
• 16 – tablespoons butter or Vegan butter
• 1 1/2  – tablespoons fresh minced garlic
• 2 – cups vegetable broth
• 1 – cup shredded parmesan or jack cheese cheese
• 1 – cup salted shelled pistachios

Directions:

1.  Cut sourdough loaves into 1 inch cubes, place in a bowl, and allow to sit over night.
2. Preheat oven to 373 degrees Fahrenheit
3. Place sourdough cubes on a cookie sheet and bake for 20 minutes. Mixing cubes at the 10 minute mark will prevent them from burning on one side.
4. In a large frying pan over a medium flame add in chorizo and cook for 5 minutes until soy chorizo is crumbly and cooked through. I break the chorizo up with a spatula and mix it the whole cooking time to make sure it is cooked properly. Set to the side.
5. In a small pan filled with water bring to a boil and add sundried tomatoes. Boil for 6 to 8 minutes to plump and moisten. Remove from water and drain completely. Set to the side.
6. In a giant bowl add in sourdough cubes, chorizo, black olives, onions, chopped green onions, shredded carrot, sundried tomatoes, dried cherries, fresh basil, pistachios and cheese. Mix with your hands until completely incorporated. Set to the side.
7. In a frying pan over a medium flame melt butter, once butter melts add in garlic and let cook for 4 minutes.
8. Add in the vegetable broth to the butter garlic mixture and cook for an additional 5 minutes.
9. Pour butter/garlic broth over stuffing mixture. Mix well to combine, careful because it is hot.
10. Place entire mixture into an oven proof baking dish.
11. Bake for 30 minutes.

I’ve got it!  The perfect dish to serve at your Halloween party, Mexican Poutine Smashers are everything you ever wanted in a finger food and more.  I am proud to present this special Halloween webisode using Idaho Fingerling Potatoes as my base and topping them with barbacoa and Oaxaca cheese.  Watch the webisode for further instruction, and lots of tricks and treats!  Stick around until the ugly witch flies away…..

Ingredients for Mexican Poutine Smashers:

• Idaho Fingerling Potatoes
• olive oil
• sea salt
• barbacoa
• shredded Oaxaca cheese

Ingredients for barbacoa:

• 1 – can chipotle peppers in adobo sauce
• 1 – onion
• 5 – cloves galic
• 6 – limes (juiced)
• 1/3 – cup apple cider vinegar
• 2 – cups beef broth
• 5 – pounds chuck beef roast
• 4 – bay leaves

Directions:

1. Add chipotle peppers, adobo sauce, onion, garlic cloves, lime juice, apple cider vinegar, and 1 – cup beef broth to blender. Blend until smooth. Set to the side.
2. Pour additional 1 cup beef broth to slow cooker, place the chuck beef roast to the broth, and add in the bay leaves. Pour the chipotle pepper blend over the meat.
3. Cover the slow cooker with the lid and cook on low for 10 hours.
4. When meat is done, shred with two forks for the perfect batch of barbacoa.

THANK YOU to Idaho Potato Commission for your support.  A HUGE, grateful thank you to the most wonderful crew EVER! This one was a lot of fun to make!

• Mando Lopez: Director
• Tony Molina: Director of Photography
• James Ford: Editor
• Leeann Chavez: SPFX Make-Up
• Janine Presley: Sound
• Kristen Warren: Wardrobe and Positivity Ambassador
• Suki Ewers: AC
• Jeshua Viveiros: Set Assistant and “Mummy”

Disclosure: This video was sponsored by the Idaho Potato Commission.