I’m so excited to share my Falafel Sliders recipe with you. Back in March I was in London visiting my man (he was on tour at the time). To make a long story short he had ordered us some food backstage, so after the show as I joined him, I also joined my first falafel burger. (more…)

Here’s a fun story. 7 years ago I entered an original recipe salad contest Fresh and Easy Markets were hosting. The ask was for people to submit their best Summer salad ideas and the winning salad would be packaged and sold in all Fresh and Easy Markets. I casually decided to enter my chipotle macaroni salad. Why not? I had just started blogging and was anxious to get involved in the big wide web, and seriously didn’t give it much more thought than that. A few weeks later I received an email saying out of 5 thousand entries my chipotle macaroni salad was crowned the WINNER! Say what? I thought I was going MAD and had misread the email. I couldn’t believe it, never in a hundred years did I think I would win.

It took about a year before I saw it on the shelves. I felt so humbled, and proud, and excited…it was definitely a surreal feeling seeing my creation displayed and sold in a supermarket. As part of the salad launch Fresh and Easy invited me in-store to take photos with my new packaged salad. A Facebook memory popped up today with these images that my friend Stephen (LatinoFoodie) took of me as I was being photographed by the photographer the market had hired.

It was an amazing experience for sure, and one that made a little space for me among the blogging world. I look at these photos and think… I’ve learned so much since then, I’m still grateful for this slice of recognition, I like that I was wearing the evil eye around my neck on a red string (keeping the haters at bay), and it looks like my hair was in an awkward stage of mid-length bangs that needed to be pinned down. With all the growth that has come with time one thing remains the same, my chipotle macaroni salad is still a winner, if I do say so myself, and should be celebrated all Summer long. I hope you’ll love it, as much as I do. Enjoy!

Ingredients for Chipotle Macaroni Salad:

• 1 – pound elbow macaroni (cooked according to box al-dente)
• 4 – tablespoons yellow mustard
• 1  – teaspoon salt
• 1/2 – teaspoon black pepper
• 1 – teaspoon dried dill
• 1/3 – cup green onion (minced) (about 10 stalks)
• 1 – red onion (diced small)
• 1 – cup frozen peas (thawed)
• 8 – oz. corn (about one cup)
• 4 – hard boiled eggs (peeled and chopped small)
• 1/2 – cup chopped black olives
• 1 – jar zesty dill pickles (chopped small)
• 1 lb – sharp cheddar cheese (cubed small)
• 6 – heaping tablespoons pimento (diced)
• 1 1/2 – cups mayonnaise
• 1/2 – tablespoon ground chipotle chile pepper ( feel free to add more if you like it extra spicy or less if you just want a tad of heat)

Directions:

1. In a big bowl add drained/cooled macaroni and mustard.  Mix well.
2. Sprinkle in salt, black pepper, and dill.  Mix well.
3.  Add both the red and green onion. Mix to combine.
4. Next add the peas and corn. I mix with each addition to ensure all ingredients are evenly distributed.
5. Add chopped hard boiled egg, black olives, and pickles. Mix to combine.
6. Add cheddar cheese cubes and pimento. Mix well.
7. Now add mayonnaise into the salad and mix well. Lastly sprinkle in the chipotle chile pepper. Mix well and serve!
8. I prefer the taste of the salad the next day after all the flavors have had a chance to mingle in the fridge.
9. Enjoy!

I love these little communities of influencers that join together to make a splash with their hashtags of choice. This week, as some of you know is #PaletaWeek , and I am going to join an awesome group of paleta loving peeps to highlight our favorite cool-me-down snack. I guess it makes sense being the first day of Summer and all. (more…)

This post is sponsored by ALDI Supermarkets. However all opinions and recipes are 100% my own. 

Last week I got an email from ALDI supermarket that asked if I would be interested in a challenge. As I read further it stated that I would have to create a menu to entertain a large group of family and/or friends for a soccer brunch. Immediately I thought “I welcome this challenge, and why not do it Sunday the 17th of June in time for us to cheer on our beloved MEXICO!!!!” They were basically asking me to have a soccer viewing party at my house on a $40 dollar budget. I love hosting parties and if I could make it happen with 40 bucks, even more to celebrate. Since we were obviously rooting for Mexico a Mexican brunch would be ideal. I decided to make a tray of breakfast enchiladas with huevos on top, an arroz con leche bar, and serve orange juice too. (more…)

This post is sponsored by Cost Plus World Market and #WeAllGrow Latina Network. All opinions and recipe are 100% my own. 

My cousin Justine and her roommate are insane soccer lovers.  Their favorite team is Mexico, actually during the current soccer matches they have several teams they will be rooting for as it is a process of elimination.  My cousin is interested in celebrating her favorite sport this year by having a soccer viewing party.  There’s only one problem, she’s never had people over to entertain before.  She’s a bit nervous about it but I told her I’d help her with her big soccer entertaining debut. Cost Plus World Market is this Summer of Soccer shopper’s one-stop shop and they would cover all her entertainment needs with foods from around the globe, dish-ware, and gorgeous decor. This gathering was sure to impress her friends and her roommate. (more…)

This shop has been compensated by Collective Bias, Inc. and Constellation Brands. All opinions are mine alone. The following content is intended for readers who are 21 or older. #CelebratorySips #ModeloSummer #CollectiveBias

It’s funny how quickly time flies. Last summer, I was in Italy absorbing the culture and of course eating lots of amazing food, grabbing anything I thought would be a delicious discovery. I remember sitting on the coast of the Tyrrhenian Sea at a little outdoor cafe and ordering a bag filled with beer battered veggies and fries served with a cold beer. I had never seen anything quite like it back here in the United States and was ready to adopt this new treat. (more…)

This post is sponsored by TADIN Teas. All opinions and recipe are 100% my own.

June is National Iced Tea Month and today – June 10th is National Iced Tea Day! This calls for a TADIN fruity iced tea punch bowl to partake in the iced tea madness… don’t you think? (more…)