I’ve been making Fried Bean And Cheese Empanadas for a while now. When I first started sharing my food creations back in 2011 I made a potato corn and cheese version of these empanadas… at the time I was calling them ‘Presley’s Pantry Veggie Gourmet Empanada/Pockets!’ – I know that’s a mouth full. I had decided to share them back then after hosting my extended family over for dinner one night. It was something to document since they had been a huge hit.

It’s New Year’s Eve, and tonight I will be staying home in my pj’s ushering in the New year with this Starry Sourdough Snacking Board. I’m gladly saying goodbye to 2020 and tip toeing into ‘the 2021 unknown’ full of HOPE for a better year.

Halloween is clawing it’s way closer, and the horrific truth is… it’s not safe with a deadly pandemic looming to celebrate the way we’ve been able to in the past. Wouldn’t it be absolutely FANTASTIC FRIGHTNENING if we could all come up with ideas of how to celebrate #Home4Halloween with #SafeScares for our favorite gruesome goblins. Let’s flood the IG feed with great ideas so no one feels like they are missing out. The point is we can still celebrate at home with our families, since group festivities are not recommended for Halloween 2020.

It’s HATCH CHILE Time!!! The one special seasonal event of the year for chile-heads at least. People who love hatch chiles go bonkers and rush out to @Northgate to stock up on their roasted HATCH Chiles from now to mid September. During this time of year, you can enjoy  hatch chile  on a wide assortment of products sold at Northgate: Hatch tortillas, Hatch mac & cheese, Hatch aguas frescas, and even Hatch bolillos! It’s all yummy.

I’m pulling out my Loaded Los Angeles Nachos for the return of Dodger baseball . Gotta admit that the arrival of my favorite sport is well timed and will bring us some sense of normality. I don’t mind that the stadium will be empty of an audience. In fact I’m happy about it and love the cardboard cutout people they have in attendance instead. Baseball will give us something to look forward to each night and have an overall excitement surrounding it. America’s favorite past time will help us pass the time to the other side of the Coronavirus-era.

When I think of a day spent at the amusement park… I instantly think of a crispy glazed funnel cake too. I picture myself on a warm Summer night enjoying a freshly fried plate of this finger licking crunchy treat in between water rides and firework shows. Ahhh memories of summers past. I miss those experiences and am really craving some Summer fun.

At this point, I definitely need a reason to be chipper. I’m predetermining Cinco De Mayo the lighthearted hullabaloo my soul is greatly craving. These french fry and cheese stuffed fried jalapeños are super simple to make, yet extra enjoyable for me and my quarantine partners to rejoice with. Grown In Idaho #SuperCrispy Crinkle Cut Fries, cheese, and jalapeno chile never tasted so good! Serve with guacamole, salsa, a cold one, more Super Crispy Crinkle Cut Fries, and call it a Cinco De Mayo party at home!!!!