Dash of Color and Spice

Thai Shrimp Curry Soup

February 26, 2020

This veggie loaded and Whole30 compliant soup is exploding with flavor and you can’t even tell it’s healthy and good for you! Perfect for a cold, gloomy day or when you’re craving a satisfying bowl of soup. What takes it over the edge? Lemongrass. Trust me, you want this added flavor bomb to warm your soul!

Thai food is always so full of flavor and exotic. Let’s be honest, there is no cuisine my little taste buds don’t like. However, Thai cuisine involves an insane amount of flavor, spices, fun ingredients, and perfect spice. Red curry paste is incredibly versatile and can be used for so many great dishes. It adds the perfect flavor and color to this soup and you can use the rest of the paste for curries, stews, noodle bowls… the possibilities are endless!

Pozole Rojo

February 21, 2020

Pozole is essentially a Mexican soup made with pork and hominy in a delicious broth made with dried peppers. The toppings vary from region to region but absolutely make this dish extra special. A traditional Mexican meal sure to satisfy your taste buds.

Growing up my abuelita, grandma, made Pozole for special occasions and sometimes random Sunday dinners. My mom also made it often at home and I quickly learned it is her favorite dish. It took me a while to put together this recipe because, as you can imagine, abuelita doesn’t measure anything. When I asked for a recipe she would say “unos cuantos chiles, poquito de esto, poquito de lo otro”. Essentially saying “a little bit of this and a little bit of that”. How is a woman supposed to work with that?! That just goes to show that she just used her senses and all the love to make this special dish.

Champurrado

February 19, 2020

Ever had champurrado before? Have you even heard of it? Regardless of the champurrado status in your life, you need to try this. So cozy and comforting, this Mexican chocolate drink is out of this world.

Do you have that one drink that brings back memories? Something that, after the first sip, takes you back to something specific? This champurrado will always take me back to my grandma’s house on a Sunday. On a cold day my abuelita would make this delicious and cozy drink to enjoy after a delicious homemade meal. It also brings me back to my trips to Mexico and buying champurrado from a lady selling it on the street. Sounds sketchy, I know. However, that will always be some of the best champurrado I have ever had.

Chorizo Queso Fundido

January 28, 2020

There is really not much out there better than a gooey, spicy, and flavorful queso fundido. Top with chorizo and jalapenos for the ultimate party in your mouth! Oh, and of course, serve it with some warm and slightly charred flour tortillas for a heavenly experience!

Anyone else really really really love cheese?? I mean, that kind of “I can’t live without you or I may just die” love? Guess what, I do! In fact, the hardest thing for me to give up and live without while doing a Whole30 is cheese. So you bet your butt this queso fundido is what my dreams are made of! There are various Mexican restaurants offering all kinds of versions of this and they’re all phenomenal, really. What I do have to tell you is how incredibly easy and quick it is. Fundido translates to molten, or melted, and it’s exactly just that: melted cheese.

Creamy Potato Cauliflower Soup

January 22, 2020

Cauliflower is the perfect veggie to sneak into lots of dishes. It doesn’t have an overpowering taste but it definitely adds creaminess and absorbs all the flavors in this soup. Trust me, you won’t even know it’s in there. Plus, it will trick anyone into getting their veggies in AND it’s delicious. Win Win.

If the weather is cold and all you want to do is cozy up and have a nice bowl of soup, the last thing you want to do is make a complicated recipe. Plug in this super easy but delicious and creamy soup. The secret to adding a little extra flavor? Cooking the onion in leftover bacon grease. It seriously adds a little something you didn’t know you needed. You wouldn’t even think it’s a Whole30 recipe!

Jamaica (Hibiscus) and Ginger Margaritas

January 20, 2020

These margaritas have a slight tartness from the hibiscus tea and hint of sweetness from the ginger simple syrup. Perfect for a hot summer day or any day of the year when a Margarita is warranted. So pretty much always!

After a long week of work, or just because, there’s nothing like a delicious and satisfying margarita. The tequila with the tartness of the hibiscus tea, (Agua de Jamaica), is the best combo. What makes it perfect? The ginger simple syrup! You definitely don’t want to skip this step. You can use the simple syrup for various other drinks but it absolutely pairs great with the hibiscus.

Chorizo con Papas

January 17, 2020

Growing up my mom would make chorizo con papas, or chorizo with potatoes, and we would have it with eggs for breakfast or as burritos for lunch. It’s really one of those feel-good meals that always brings back memories and makes my heart super happy!

I think everyone that knows about chorizo con papas immediately thinks of breakfast but it can be used for all kinds of goods! My mami always made it with potatoes to have on hand for burritos, tacos, or even just on its own with some delicious salsa and homemade tortillas. It is absolutely perfect to make for meal prep and have on hand for the week.

Cottage (Shepherd’s) Pie

January 8, 2020

Did you know Shepherd’s Pie, as most of us know it, is probably actually Cottage Pie? The difference is that traditional Shepherd’s Pie is made with ground lamb and Cottage Pie is made with ground beef. Now you know :).

Nothing screams comfort food like meat and potatoes, am I right or am I right? That is why this Cottage Pie is always a hit with the hubs, or anyone for that matter. A mixture of ground beef, vegetables, herbs and spices, all topped with creamy and delicious mashed potatoes. Seriously can’t ask for a healthier hearty meal.

Chicken Tinga

January 3, 2020

This chicken tinga is spicy, flavorful, and super easy. Great for meal prep and batch cooking. It is perfect for salads, tacos, tostadas, and more!

Growing up my tia, (aunt), would make chicken tinga tostadas for almost every gathering. Family joked about how much she made it and every time she had us over people would say, “I bet she made tinga again!”. Yes, probably so. However, I was ALWAYS ready for some of her chicken tinga. Spicy shredded chicken full of tons of flavor on top of a crispy tostada with ALL the toppings. If you’re doing Whole30, so sorry for the temptation but it is the perfect food freedom meal. You’re not missing out though. This makes for the perfect chicken tinga salad or lettuce “tacos”. Trust me when I say this chicken is FLAVOR TOWN!

Mexican Picadillo

January 3, 2020

Here’s a Mexican version of a hearty potato and meat dish that is sure to keep you satisfied! Full of flavor and a great dish on it’s own or perfect as a stuffing for Chiles Rellenos. Mexican Picadillo is a must try for a quick and delicious meal.

Picadillo is one of those super simple dishes that is great for a weeknight meal, especially when you want to have a meal ready at the table quickly. I make it slightly quicker by boiling the carrots and potatoes separately so these are ready by the time the ground beef is cooked.