Alyssa and Carla - Page 2 of 66 - A blog full of recipes, food, DIY and favorites for lovers of all things fun and delicious.

Simple Vietnamese Coffee

April 17, 2019 By Carla Leave a Comment

This post has been sponsored by Eagle Brand®. All thoughts and opinions are my own.

If there’s one thing I’ll DEFINITELY explore when I travel, it’s the local drinks of choice. On our first trip to Vietnam we tried Egg Coffee and Iced Vietnamese Coffee and boba and it was, of course, delicious.

But there’s one coffee that stands out, that’s SO simple and accessible: Vietnamese Coffee. I’m just going to say it- it’s one of life’s easiest, tastiest, magnificent treats. So what’s stopped me from drinking it more often? When Eagle Brand reached out about working together to create a sponsored post with their new squeezable bottle, it was just the motivation I needed to find out.

Oat Milk Chai Latte

March 20, 2019 By Carla

This post has been sponsored by Silk®. All thoughts and opinions are my own.

In an exciting whirlpool of fun blog topics, this post is about work wives, milk alternatives (specifically in partnership with Silk® Oat Yeah™ Oatmilk, which you can pick up right at Safeway), and budgeting. Stay with me here, the treat for finishing is a delicious recipe for how to make an Oat Milk Chai Latte at home for not-a-million dollars!

Churro Marshmallow Squares

February 12, 2019 By Carla

This post has been sponsored by General Mills. All thoughts and opinions are my own.

I have never met a cinnamon dessert I didn’t like and churros are DEFINITELY no exception. I’ve done a lot of things for churros- driven miles and miles, taken special restaurant trips, waited in line at Disneyland for about 45 minutes too long (pro tip: don’t decide you want a churro right before the evening show). But did you know that there’s a CEREAL? A CEREAL of tiny little mini churro deliciousness? In a tasty little mash-up, I partnered with Cinnamon Toast Crunch Churros cereal and Walmart on these crispy marshmallow squares. Make ’em- you won’t regret it.

Mediterranean Pasta Salad with Homemade Meyer Lemon Vinaigrette

March 27, 2018 By Carla

This post has been sponsored by Bertolli Olive Oil. All thoughts and opinions are my own.

Although I love traditional holiday meals, you’ve definitely heard me mention that my family has been expanding our menus the last several years as we manage a large crowd and kid’s appetites. Christmas dinner has morphed into a seasonal tamale tradition (especially funny since we didn’t grow up making tamales and personally crafted a CA hippie chicken broth/olive oil version) and Easter dinner has shifted from ham and pasta salad to enchiladas. (Easter enchiladas are TOTALLY a thing. Just go with it.) Overall, I LOVE the new food tradition of… non-traditional food, but there are absolutely aspects of the meals that I miss. The good news is, I’m equal opportunity and I don’t feel like you need to wait to make ANYTHING. If you want, that’s a good enough reason.

And here’s what I’ve been missing these days: the yummy pasta salad that was my contribution to Easter dinner. Since I already said wanting something was a good enough reason to make it I dusted off my old recipe, polished up a few of the ingredients, and created this Mediterranean Pasta Salad with Homemade Meyer Lemon Vinaigrette. Since this recipe is in partnership with Bertolli, you can count on robust flavors and the fact that this recipe is simple. Perfect for your next holiday gathering OR delicious craving.

Vietnamese Lemongrass Meatballs

January 19, 2018 By Carla

I got back from an incredible trip to Vietnam just over a week ago and somehow my brain is still not functioning correctly. It’s not my fault! Not only is the jet lag situation real, but I’m spending A LOT of time daydreaming about all the pho and banh beo and banh xeo I consumed while I was there- Vietnam is a SERIOUS food lover’s paradise.

So it won’t surprise you that I came directly home and tried to recreate some of those same flavors in my own kitchen. Since I was dreaming up recipes for a collaboration with Foster Farms using their Organic Ground Turkey, it felt like the perfect opportunity to create a healthy meatball full of lean protein and wrapped in an abundance of bright herb flavor and fresh ingredients. Enter: Vietnamese Lemongrass Meatballs.

A Look at Don Q Gran Anejo Rum

January 11, 2018 By Carla

This is a sponsored post written by me on behalf of Don Q rum. All opinions are 100% mine.

Just before the holiday we shared a delicious Spiced Rum drink we created in partnership with Don Q Spiced Rum, and today we’re back with more! This time we’re spending a little time on Don Q’s Gran Añejo- a super premium rum that’s JUST RIGHT for sipping neat or on the rocks.

(And don’t worry- there’s a recipe in here for you cocktail drinkers as always!)

First, let’s go over a refresher of why I love Destilería Serrallés- the Puerto Rico distillery where Don Q rums are made- and the line of Don Q products:

Don Q’s commitment to environmental responsibility is TOP NOTCH. Unlike other distilleries, Don Q has implemented a water reclamation program which allows them to recycle their wastewater instead of DUMPING IT IN THE OCEAN. I didn’t know it, but this is common practice in the spirits world- crazy, right? On top of that, they’re taking it even further by partnering with The Surfrider Foundation to spread environmental awareness.
From a product standpoint, Don Q is the only rum company that uses aged rum in each product- INCLUDING flavored rums. Also in that ingredient list: natural flavorings only, with no additives or artificial sugars/coloring. This makes for some pretty award winning rums, as you might imagine- look at this pretty little award sticker right on the bottle of Gran Añejo!

Don Q Gran Añejo itself is SO special- AND in demand. No lie, I had to go to three separate places to find it because each store was sold out! (I think the secret is spreading.) Not a surprise considering this rum is smooth and delicious, featuring a subtle aroma with hints of vanilla and dark caramel.

The rum is first aged in American white oak barrels for 9-12 years, and then moved to Spanish sherry casks for up to FIFTY YEARS. That’s a long time for a superior taste of 80 proof yumminess. WORTH IT.

If you’re enjoying with a meal, this rum pairs well with grilled meats like prime rib or lamb. It’s still a versatile spirit however- so feel free to substitute it for whiskey in an Old Fashioned cocktail! Don Q provided the perfect recipe for you to follow:

OLD FASHIONED
2 oz Don Q Gran Añejo rum
1 splash Club soda
1 Sugar cube or 1/2 tsp Sugar
3 dashes Angostura bitters
1 Orange peel for garnish
1 Maraschino cherry for garnish

Place the sugar cube or 1/2 tsp sugar in an old fashioned glass. Add 3 dashes of Angostura bitters and splash of club soda. Muddle the mixture, then add ice. Pour Don Q Gran Añejo and stir until well chilled. Garnish with orange peel and maraschino cherry.

(I’ll be mixing these up this week on our Instagram stories, so don’t forget to follow us!)

PS- If you’re in your local store and can’t find the pretty bottle with the diamond shaped stopper, it might be because it comes in this nice black box on the shelf.

Now, tell me: how are YOU going to enjoy this rum? Are you a sipper? Shaking up an Old Fashioned with me to celebrate the New Year?

Spicy and Stormy: A Rum Cocktail

December 24, 2017 By Carla

This is a sponsored post written by me on behalf of Don Q rum. All opinions are 100% mine.

I’m one of those people who finds a cocktail and sticks with it for a while. There was the seven months spanning a Maine winter where I basically only drank wishful-thinking Mai Tais, the two or three months of Caipirinhas I really got into after finding a mix by chance, you get the idea. Not necessarily a bad thing, but this is how I ended up falling in love with Moscow Mules about two years after the rest of the world stopped going crazy for them. So ginger-y! So refreshing!

When Don Q reached out about creating a cocktail with their Spiced rum, I really wanted to incorporate some of that ginger-y goodness from all those copper-cupped drinks I’ve been consuming lately. And the decision was definitely easy- how about a Dark and Stormy, sub Don Q Spiced Rum? DONE.

Who’s excited about an easy peasy cocktail that will thrill everyone at your parties this season? (Raises hand.) This is TOTALLY one of those.

You’ll just need lots of ice, some good quality ginger beer, and a bottle of Don Q’s Oak Barrel Spiced Rum. Now, listen closely, there are some REALLY good reasons to make sure that you’re buying Don Q. Here are a few:

It’s made in Puerto Rico, which is known for excellent rum- they’ve been producing it since 1865 on the island! (Not to mention I’m sure we can all agree that after this year’s devastating hurricane season, shopping for rum from Puerto Rico seems like a simple and easy way to support from afar, no?)
Don Q isn’t just passionate about quality- they also invest in producing their products as responsibly as possible. Don Q is one of the few distilleries in the world that doesn’t dump waste water right into the ocean. (OTHER DISTILLERIES DUMP THEIR WASTE WATER INTO THE OCEAN?) They’ve even partnered with the Surfrider Foundation- a non-profit organization dedicated to the protection of the world’s ocean and beaches. I LOVE companies that put effort into both their own practices and outreach and education- fist bump, Don Q.
The Spiced Rum is EXCELLENT. It’s warm, rich, and deliciously spiced- just how you want it.

SPICY AND STORMY- A RUM COCKTAIL

Yields 1

Save Recipe

INGREDIENTS

1.5 ounces Don Q Spiced Rum
4 ounces good quality ginger beer
ice
lime to garnish, if desired

INSTRUCTIONS

Pour rum over ice into your drinking glass.
Top with ginger beer and stir gently.
Garnish with a lime slice, if you like!

With a blended family of drinkers and non-drinkers, I love simple pour and serve cocktails like this one. I’ll probably bring some honey or brown sugar cubes with too- just in case anyone wants me to stir in a bit of extra sweetness at my family’s holiday dinner.

Tell me what you’re drinking this season! And, assuming there’s anything left over (doubtful), what else would you recommend I make with this delicious spiced rum?

Grapefruit Ginger-Lime Punch

November 12, 2017 By Carla

I’m not sure I remember when I heard about my first Friendsgiving, but I have always been a HUGE fan. In the same way that Thanksgiving focuses on gratitude and togetherness, Friendsgiving provides the added element of gathering your closest friends for a literal celebration of your FRIENDSHIP. How great is that?

I’m realizing that this concept just gets more and more steam- both in the world around me and in my own every day life. Just in the last few weeks I’ve been part of: a new monthly whiskey tasting tradition at work, a hiking/biking/brunching extravaganza with almost forty other ladies at a sweet friend’s new farm, and my own Friendsgiving plans for next weekend: a sparkling wine party where everyone brings their favorite bottle. (We’re making all the fixings too.)

Izze wanted to inspire us gather our loved ones together by sending over some of their sparkling juice and I thought it’d be perfect for a big jug of punch! Punch is such a party necessity- it’s perfect for expecting moms/kids/those who are skipping the alcohol, provides a break between cocktails, and is, well, delicious. This punch is sweet and tart thanks to bright citrus flavors that ALSO make it extra colorful; scroll down for the recipe!