Mini Chocolate Cream Cheese Pastry Braids

I took some time off from blogging after the Super Bowl, but I'll be coming back with lots of posts. Which reminds me, I need to update y'all on my crazy-busy-fun SB51 experience...We can save that for another post. If you'll remember, I'm in a partnership with Degustabox and receive a full box of yummy treats in the monthly subscription box.

This Month, the item that caught my eye was the Pure Dark Chocolate bar. This bar combines the rich strong taste of dark chocolate cocoa, with the lively fun taste of Anglesey sea salts. This combination brings about a nice balance for your palate. If you're like me, and tend to find dark chocolate a bit strong, the sea salt will balance it out for you.

Superbowl Burrito Pastry

I bought some frozen puff pastry sheets on a recent trip to the store. This kind of dough is really time consuming to make it( trust me I've tried), so I thought I'd try these and see how they turn out. The funny thing is, that I wasn't sure what I wanted to make at first so I spent all night thinking. I somehow came up with the idea of making a buritto. The very next day, I made this burrito pastry.

With Superbowl literally at the end of this week, it's time to think of what you'll eat or serve to your guests. This recipe can easily be adapted to smaller portions. And it isnt that time consuming.  By now you should be quite familiar with my partnership with DegustaBox. Well, I used One & Done seasoning( a special gift from Degustabox to some of their survey correspondents). I used it while seasoning the chicken that I used in this recipe. A special note about this recipe, it will taste even better the next day(just warm it in the oven).

Ingredients

1 Puff Pastry

Rice, cooked
1 Chicken breast, cut into small portions
Garlic, minced

Onions, sliced

Pico de Gayo

Can of beans

Tomato, diced

Avocado slices

Directions

1. Season the chicken with garlic and One & Done seasoning.
2. Add oil to a cooking pot, once ready add the chicken and cook until tender and done. Remove
3. Add onions to pot and cook until slightly tender, then add tomatoes, beans and cook for 5-10 min.
4. Add cooked rice and mix well for 10 min.
5. Preheat oven to 400 degrees. Unfold your defrosted pastry sheet on an oven pan or baking sheet

6. With the long side facing you, slowly and carefully add the rice mixture, chicken, pico de gayo, avocado and feta cheese onto the puff pastry. Making sure to leave enough space on each side for closure
7. Roll up the short side to meet in the middle, and tuck the ends

8. Bush pastry with egg wash and cut a few slits at the top of the pastry
9. Place in oven and cook for 20 min or until the pastry is nice and golden brown

10. Let cool a couple of minutes before cutting and serving

Simple Christmas Vanilla Bundt Cake

Also a year ago, a stranger told me this would be a challenging year for me. Now, I never paid it any mind, but as the year comes to a close, I always like to reflect on it. This year has been quite the challenging year, in all aspects of my life. For those who follow my blog, you'd notice I rarely discuss my personal life, that is because I like to keep it that way. And to keep things relevant to what you all care to read about. As I look at 2016(yes, I'm officially over the year too) I can't help but be grateful for surviving the year. It was challenging, yes, but I made it out strong. The things I have gained this year are much greater than those that I have lost.

2016 HOLIDAY FOODIE GIFT GUIDE

It is that time of the year again. It's December 1st, which means Christmas is right around the corner. Every year, around this time I put together a list featuring (mainly) local business and product gift recommendations for the holiday season. As 2016 comes to a close, you want to take the time to thank and celebrate the people who made your year truly remarkable. Whether it is by sending them a  nice card in the mail or doing something a little more nourishing like sending them food, show them how much you appreciate them.

Here is my list for this year; a majority are local so make sure you show them support. Cheers!

Tikka Masala Meat Pie Thanksgiving Leftovers

Hope you had a lovely meal with your loved ones over thanksgiving. My family and I spent it together at my mother's house where we were surrounded by plates and dishes of food. Needless to say, there were many to-go plates. I'm always thankful during this time of year, and even though Thanksgiving hasn't always been a part of my culture; I always like to take some time of reflection around this time of year.

So many amazing, and crazy events have taken place this year but we've all managed to make it through. As we all celebrate this time of the year, let's take time to reflect on ourselves and where we are currently. If you are able to celebrate a year in good health, with clothes on your back, food on your table, and a roof over your head...You have made it! I realize as I see the headlines everyday, from stories happening around the world and even here in "the land of the free", I realize how lucky I am. All my worries and current struggles feel small, so I humble myself and give thanks!

Halloween Tuna Salad Mummy with Wasa Flatbread

Halloween is literally right around the corner. Some had it all planned out since the beginning of the month, from the decor, costumes, to festivities, food and drinks. If that person is you, kudos to you! But for those of you who are just now trying to figure out a last minute contribution to that Halloween party, I've got the easiest( well kinda) appetizer you'll find.

I recently received my monthly Degustabox, if you haven't heard it is a monthly surprise food product delivery box that recently launch in the U.S this summer. The boxes come with some interesting products which you'd never think to try on your visit to your favorite grocery store, so it basically introduces me to great products I normally pay no mind to while shopping. A lot of products that are Non GMO verified, Kosher, Gluten-Free, etc. (You can use my promo code: NEIAC to get 50% off your Degustabox.) 

Well anyway, one of the items in the box were these Wasa Sesame & Sea Salt Thins, which are basically like crackers but a little tougher. They're oven baked, and once crunched into instantly give you a sesame seed taste with a bit of sea salt. The brand offers 7 grams of whole-grains and 80 calories per serving making them an easy, healthy snack option. We'll I thought the sesame seed taste was a little much for my liking, so having the tuna actually brought a balance to these crackers.

But, since we're not talking about loosing weight here for Halloween; on top of my tuna mummy, I sprinkled shredded Parmesan cheese to give this mummy "bandage" look. Then I completed the look by adding 2 drops of hot sauce in for the eyes. Once you're done, you can serve with the Wasa Thins! Happy Halloween.

Sam Mills Chicken & Green Bean Pesto Pasta

It's always exciting receiving an e-mail notification that my Degustabox has been delivered. I always pick it up and tear the box apart ready and excited to see what's in there. I had been tracking this box for what felt like forever, mainly because of the holiday that pushed the time of delivery. So this month featured a lot of European brands like Michel et Augustin cookies(such delicious cookies), Sam Mills Pasta(gluten free) and The English Provender.

The box is usually nicely packaged, with anything breakable wrapped in bubble wrap to prevent it from breaking on the way to you. So far what I have noticed is that they introduce you to a lot of natural, Non-GMO product verified, as well as gluten free products.

After seeing the Sam Mills gluten free corn and quinoa pasta, I immediately thought of something I wanted to make. I purchased some fresh basil and Parmesan cheese from the store and came home to make chicken pesto pasta. I'm always encouraging y'all to get your box, so we can cook together. So, Make sure you use my promo code: NEIAC to get 50% off your Degustabox. Want to make this delicious recipe below, click here to order now.

Ingredients:
Sam Mills Corn & Quinoa Pasta (note: I mixed in regular pasta)
Chicken Breast, cut in small portions & season with lemon salt/pepper 
Nando USA Peri Peri Sauce (optional)
1 tomato, chopped and drained
Green beans

Pesto:
1/2 cups fresh basil
1 garlic glove
Peanuts (most other recipes use pine or walnuts)
1/3 cup Olive oil
Parmesan cheese
Salt & Pepper

Directions:
1. Add all pesto ingredients into a food processor, saving oil and salt & pepper for later. Once it is nicely chopped, add salt, pepper and oil. 
2. Set pesto in the fridge
3. Add seasoned chicken into lightly greased dutch oven and cook until chicken is tender
4. Add green beans and tomatoes, and let cook
4. If you'd like, add half & half or mix together flour with milk until smooth 
5. Pour in and mix with chicken
6. Cook pasta, drain and add to dutch oven
7. Add pesto, Parmesan cheese, and mix well
8. Serve!

White Lily & Sir Kensington Spicy Shrimp Tacos with Chipotle Mayo

I got my Degustabox for the month you guys!!! I was so excited when I got a notification that my package had arrived that I ran to the leasing office ready to see what this month had in store. This month came with different products as always, ranging from snacks to flours and condiments. I'll be honest with you, I'm always excited to see what they decided to add to each box everytime. It always feels like Christmas or like its my birthday when I get my box in the mail. It's always full of products that you never think of buying yourself, because you've likely never tried them before(Ignore the Honey Bunches of Oats & Maria cookies).

When I opened the box(with my leasing office friends. lol), 2 items stood out immediately.The first one was the Non-GMO verified White Lily White Grape and Wheat Flour and Sir Kensington's Chipotle Mayonaise. Right then, I knew exactly what I wanted to try making this month. Another item that I'm loving is Loacker Rose of the Dolomite's crunchy hazelnut chocolates - they remind me of one of my favorite Belgian chocolates. I also loved ALO Allure's refreshing Aloe and mango drink.

BRIANNAS Spinach Power Salad + Degustabox Review

After spending almost the whole month of June eating and drinking out, I felt like I needed some days eating something fresh and light. During the month of June I received a shipment of President Butters and Cheeses, not long after, I received my very first package from Degustabox. Degustabox is a monthly surprise subscription box company from Europe that has recently expanded to the good ole U S of A. They send a box filled with 10-15 surprise food products for $19.99 per month. Boxes are delivered straight to you and there is no long-term commitment, so you can holla at Degustabox anytime you want.