• 

Chile Rellenos have been such a big part of my recipe sharing journey. I made my recipe video debut with a chile relleno ‘how-to’ about 10 years ago and have been working on my recipe since then. I used to make them for my grandfather all the time before he passed away, as it was one of his favorite meals. His whole face would light up the second he saw the chiles being charred. Of course, I still make them all year round even though he is no longer of this earth, but feel like they need to be celebrated a little extra during the lent season. That is when he mostly requested them. Chile Rellenos is a dish his mother used to make him as a small boy to observe a meatless meal every Friday during lent.

Find the recipe on The Real California Milk Website:

I am proud to say you can find my Chile Rellenos recipe made with pasilla chiles over on the Real California Milk Website !!! They have an entire section dedicated to the lent season with the most amazing recipes to be inspired by. Don’t forget to look for the Real California Milk seal when selecting your queso for authentic quality sustainably sourced cheese from dairy families.

• 

En Español para mi abuelito!

Los chiles rellenos han sido una gran parte de mi viaje para compartir recetas. Hice mi debut en video de receta con un ‘cómo hacer’ chile relleno hace unos 10 años y he estado trabajando en mi receta desde entonces. Solía hacérselos a mi abuelo todo el tiempo antes de que falleciera, ya que era una de sus comidas favoritas. Toda su cara se iluminaría en el momento en que viera los chiles carbonizados. Por supuesto, todavía los hago durante todo el año a pesar de que él ya no es de esta tierra, pero siento que necesitan celebrarse un poco más durante la temporada de cuaresma.

Me enorgullece decir que pueden encontrar mi receta de Chiles Rellenos hecha con chiles pasilla en el sitio web de Real California Milk!!! Tienen una sección completa dedicada a la temporada de cuaresma con las recetas más sorprendentes para inspirarse. No se olvide de buscar el sello Real California Milk cuando seleccione su queso para obtener queso de calidad auténtica procedente de fuentes sostenibles de familias lecheras.

• 

We can seriously talk tacos all day long, but is the conversation even valid if we are not talking Vampiro Tacos? Yeah, let’s dive into that dialogue about the cheesy goodness known as Vampiros! If you’ve never had one they are a cross between a quesadilla, taco, tostada, and it’s been on heavy rotation for lent. It starts with the cheese being grilled to a crisp, then a tortilla makes it’s way on top of the cheese…. It’s scraped off the griddle and the melty cheese side sits in the tortilla and the grilled cheese side is used as the base of your taco.

People make all types of toppings to compliment the charred cheese taco from carne asada, al pastor, nopales, and chile mushrooms. You can choose any topping you want, as long as you’re using quality Real California Milk Hispanic- style Cheese in your Vampiro you’ve got the real deal in your hands. Plus I love the fact that when I buy cheese with the Real California Milk seal, I’m buying authentic quality ingredients sustainably sourced from dairy families.

• 

Today I’m making Calabacita Vampiro Tacos, because you can’t go wrong with zucchini, onion, tomato and cheese! Make sure you let the tortilla harden a little bit from the cheese grease for a delicious bite. I guarantee you will be making vampiros till the tortillas run out and way beyond lent. Enjoy!

Calabacita Vampiro Tacos Ingredients:

2 tablespoons olive oil

2 large zucchini, diced

½ large onion, sliced

1 large tomato, diced

1 corn on the cob, shaved kernels

A pinch of oregano

½ teaspoon garlic powder

1 teaspoon salt

½ teaspoon black pepper

2 cups Real California Oaxaca cheese, grated

8 small corn tortillas

Guacamole

Salsa

Real California Queso fresco

• 

Directions:

Heat olive oil in a large frying pan over a medium high flame.

Add in zucchini and onion. Mix to coat in olive oil. Cook for 5 minutes.

Add in tomato, corn, oregano, garlic powder, salt, and black pepper. Sauté for an additional 5 minutes. Remove from flame and set to the side.

Heat a comal or griddle over a medium high flame.

Add 1/4 cup of Real California Queso Oaxaca to the griddle and allow it to melt.

Heat a tortilla on the side of the griddle that is not occupied with cheese. Once the cheese is melted place the heated tortilla on top.

Let the cheese continue to cook for a few minutes or until crisp, then flip the tortilla cheese side up.

Allow the tortilla to fry slightly in the grease the cheese leaves behind on the griddle.

Remove the tortilla from the griddle and fill with a few heaping tablespoons of the calabacita mixture.

Top with salsa, guacamole and crumbled Real California queso fresco.

Take a bite out of it like a REAL VAMPIRO!

For more delicious recipe inspiration hop on over to the Real California Milk website. They have an entire section dedicated to the lent season. Enjoy!

Disclaimer: This post is sponsored by Real California Milk. The recipe and thoughts are 100% my own.

Español:

Podemos hablar seriamente de tacos todo el día, pero ¿es válida la conversación si no estamos hablando de Vampiro Tacos? Sí, ¡vamos a sumergirnos en ese diálogo sobre la bondad cursi conocida como Vampiros! Si nunca has tenido uno, son un cruce entre una quesadilla, taco, tostada, y ha estado en rotación pesada para la cuaresma. Comienza con el queso a la parrilla hasta obtener un crujiente, luego una tortilla lo hace sobre el queso…. Se raspa de la plancha y el lado del queso derretido se encuentra en la tortilla y el lado del queso a la parrilla se usa como base de su taco.

La gente hace todo tipo de coberturas para complementar el taco de queso carbonizado de carne asada, al pastor, nopales y hongos de chile. Puede elegir cualquier aderezo que desee, siempre y cuando esté utilizando queso de calidad al estilo hispano Real California Milk en su Vampiro, tiene el verdadero negocio en sus manos. Además, me encanta el hecho de que cuando compro queso con el sello Real California Milk, estoy comprando ingredientes auténticos de calidad que provienen de manera sostenible de familias lecheras.

Hoy estoy haciendo Tacos De Calabacita Vampiro, ¡porque no te puedes equivocar con calabacín, cebolla, tomate y queso! Asegúrese de dejar que la tortilla se endurezca un poco de la grasa del queso para un delicioso bocado. Te garantizo que estarás haciendo vampiros hasta que las tortillas se agoten y mucho más allá de la cuaresma. ¡Disfrutar!

Calabacita Vampiro Tacos Ingredientes:

2 cucharadas de aceite de oliva
2 calabacines grandes, cortados en cubitos
1/2 cebolla grande, en rodajas
1 tomate grande, cortado en cubitos
1 maíz en la mazorca, granos afeitados
Una pizca de orégano
1/2 cucharadita de ajo en polvo
1 cucharadita de sal
1/2 cucharadita de pimienta negra
2 tazas de queso Real California Oaxaca, rallado
8 tortillas pequeñas de maíz
Guacamole
Salsa
Real California Queso fresco

Indicaciones:

Calentar el aceite de oliva en una sartén grande a fuego medio alto.

Agregue el calabacín y la cebolla. Mezclar para cubrir en aceite de oliva. Cocine durante 5 minutos.

Agregue tomate, maíz, orégano, ajo en polvo, sal y pimienta negra. Saltea durante 5 minutos adicionales. Luego retire de la llama y coloque a un lado.

Calentar un comal o plancha sobre una llama media alta.

Agregue 1/4 de taza de Real California Queso Oaxaca a la plancha y deje que se derrita.

Calentar una tortilla en el lado de la plancha que no esté ocupada con queso. Una vez derretido el queso coloca la tortilla caliente encima.

Deje que el queso continúe cocinándose durante unos minutos o hasta que esté crujiente, luego voltee el queso de tortilla hacia arriba.

Deje que la tortilla se fríe ligeramente en la grasa que el queso deja en la plancha.

Retire la tortilla de la plancha y llénela con unas cucharadas colmadas de la mezcla de calabacita.

Cubra con salsa, guacamole y queso fresco Real California desmenuzado.

¡Dale un mordisco como un VAMPIRO REAL!

Lent is definitely one of my favorite food seasons, for many reasons. 

1. Most meals are meatless and that is a vegetarian dream. 

2. Almost everything has cheese or crema in it, even the desserts. I look for the Real California Milk seal when selecting my hispanic-style cheeses and cremas for aunthentic quality ingredients sustainably sourced from milk families for my recipes. 

3. I’m drawn to the social aspect of connecting with my community and sharing recipes and meals together in a non formal setting. It’s the ultimate time to bond, reflect, and show kindness. 

The Real California Milk website has a whole section dedicated to lent season recipes, including my enmoladas de queso recipe. Scroll through for inspiration and find your favorite recipe to make for loved ones. 

La #Cuaresma es definitivamente una de mis estaciones de comida favoritas, por muchas razones.

1. La mayoría de las comidas son sin carne y ese es un sueño vegetariano.

2. Casi todo tiene queso o crema, incluso los postres. Busco el sello Real California Milk cuando selecciono mis quesos y cremas de estilo hispano para obtener ingredientes de calidad auténtica obtenidos de manera sustentable de familias de leche para mis recetas.

3. Me atrae el aspecto social de conectarme con mi comunidad y compartir recetas y comidas juntos en un entorno no formal. Es el mejor momento para vincularse, reflexionar y mostrar amabilidad.

El sitio web de Real California Milk tiene una sección completa dedicada a las recetas de la temporada de cuaresma, incluida mi receta de enmoladas. Desplácese en busca de inspiración y encuentre su receta favorita para preparar para sus seres queridos.

• 

Can you see those lacey fried crisp deliciousness? Those are air fryer Chicharrónes de Queso Oaxaca. Basically my favorite low carb treat. I’m not on Keto but these crispy delights sure fit the bill. If you’re wondering how to make them, I start by looking for the Real California Milk seal on a package of Oaxaca cheese. Now that I’m assured the best quality sustainably sourced milk from family farms I can move on to my Chicharrones!

Look for The Real California Milk Seal!!!

These Crispy Chicharrónes de Queso Oaxaca can be eaten like chips and dipped into your favorite salsa. I also like to add some extra crunch to my torta by layering in a few chicharrónes de Queso for that added bite! The chicharrón is a great substitute for the crouton and can be added to a bowl of soup or a nice big green salad. All this magic happens in an air fryer. It’s truly SUPER cool. Of course it is… we are talking about fried cheese. who doesn’t like crispy fried cheese? I knew the answer would be nobody so find the recipe below!

Ingredients for Chicharrónes de Queso Oaxaca:

• 2 cup Oaxaca Cheese, grated
• favorite salsa

Directions:

Grate Oaxaca cheese until you have a couple of cups.

Line the air fryer basket rack with a 2×3 inch piece of parchment paper. I tuck a little piece of parchement paper into the side between the rack and the basket to secure the paper from lifting or curling.

Drop two tablespoons of Oaxaca cheese onto the parchment paper.

Set the Air fryer to 400 degrees for 6 minutes.

Chicharrónes will come out crisp and delicious.

Remove from air fryer carefully with a small spatula, and blot off excess oil.

Allow to cool for 5 minutes before eating.

Visit Real California Milk website for recipe inspiration!

This post is sponsored by Knorr, Best Foods and Unilever, but the opinions and text are all mine.

It’s that time of year again, when bundling up is an everyday thing. It happens to be my favorite time when the temps get chilly and sweaters, scarves and jackets make their way into a regular rotation. It also means Sopa lives rent free in my kitchen all winter long since my family can’t bear the cold without it. I’m not complaining.

My son is a big fan of the @knorr Sopa Mexicana Minestrone. I  stock up on it whenever I’m in the bouillon/soup aisle at Northgate Market so it’s ready to make the instant his cravings arise. What I especially like is that it’s made with real vegetable pieces and no artificial ingredients. It works out perfect because it’s a Hearty and authentic meal rooted in Mexican heritage and a quick meal solution that could be on the table in under 30 minutes. Latina Mom WIN!

While my Knorr Sopa Mexicana is cooking on the stove I like to make a side of fried cheese sticks. It’s such a delicious way to add melty cheese and crunch to my soup. I can use them as dunkers or switch off between the two, a spoon of soup and a bite of cheese stick. Their flavors play off one another exceptionally well.  I can’t really go on with this post without divulging one key factor. I’m willing to share my secret ingredient with you to making the most amazing cheese sticks…. Best Foods Real Mayonnaise….there I said it. It’s America’s #1 Mayonnaise made with real, simple ingredients: eggs, oil and vinegar. That’s all great but the truth is it enhances the flavor of my cheese sticks and makes for the crispiest coating, and who doesn’t want that!? I usually make a big batch and have them in the freezer ready to go at a moment’s notice.

(more…)

What is your early morning treat of choice to leave for Santa? Are you team cookies or team scones? A few years ago my son and I made Christmas Tree Cranberry Pecan Scones during the holiday season. We fell in love with these scones, made with Real California Milk dairy – butter, buttermilk, heavy cream… yes, they are fluffy and absolutely perfect to serve for breakfast.

As we sat there eating our delicious Christmas Tree Cranberry Pecan Scones, my son asks if we could leave a batch out for Santa instead of our traditional cookie. I explain to him this is more of a breakfast treat, and he says to me “Perfect, Santa comes in the early morning hours to drop off my gifts he can have an early breakfast!”

From that point on we started leaving Santa a small plate of scones and a glass of milk. I make a batch on Christmas eve to leave a plate for the man in red and the rest for my family to enjoy Christmas morning. I feel like a good samaritan knowing I’m doing my part by using #RealCaliforniaMilk products – they are made with sustainably sourced milk from California dairy families, and when I see that seal I feel confident I’m giving Santa pure quality.

Happy Breakfast together + Holiday Season = Building Memories! #MorningsMeanMore

(more…)

In a few days I’ll be celebrating Friendsgiving brunch with a group of my closest friends, then a handful of days later hosting a Thanksgiving breakfast. In other words I’ll be cooking up a storm in the coming days for Friendsgiving, Thanksgiving breakfast and dinner. I am always looking for ways to spread the love and make dishes last longer. Which bring me to The Crispiest Potato Cakes, my breakfast favorite using mashed potatoes.

The Crispiest Potato Cakes have a creamy mashed potato center. I make a big batch of mashed potatoes that can be used several times. Seasoning them to perfection with Real California Dairy – butter, buttermilk and cheddar cheese. I use #RealCaliforniaMilk products because they are made with sustainably sourced milk from California dairy families, and I know when I see that seal I am getting pure quality. These creamy mashed potatoes get a crispy hash brown crust on both sides and are fried to a crisp.

I can’t tell you how happy these potato cakes make my family and friends. They are perfect to serve at breakfast time if you want to bring the smiles on early in the day. They pair best with a fried egg, a little salad, and sour cream. Happy Breakfast together + Holiday Season = Building Memories! #MorningsMeanMore

(more…)