The Ultimate Thanksgiving Dessert - My Pumpkin Crisp Recipe

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Looking for a new dessert this Thanksgiving that isn’t the same ol’ pumpkin pie? This is it!! My husband isn’t the biggest pie fan, so I was looking for something as a replacement with that same familiar taste to accommodate the whole crowd, especially those that still love and crave a traditional pumpkin pie! This dessert hit all the marks for our early family Thanksgiving, and it will surely be a hit throughout the Holiday season as well!

We hope this pumpkin crisp recipe satisfies every sweet tooth of every family member you have, just as it did to ours! Here is the best pumpkin crisp recipe ever!

Ingredients

  • 1 (15-oz.) canned pumpkin purée

  • 1 cup sugar

  • 3 large eggs

  • 2 teaspoons pumpkin pie spice

  • 1/2 teaspoon kosher salt

  • 2 teaspoons pure vanilla extract

  • I can evaporated milk

Cinnamon topping

  • 2 cups all-purpose flour*

  • 3/4 cups granulated sugar

  • 3/4 cups brown sugar

  • 2 teaspoons cinnamon

  • 1/2 teaspoon salt

  • 12 tablespoons butter, melted

  • 1/2 cup pecans

Instructions

  1. Preheat oven to 425. Grease 9” round pan and set aside.

(Exact pan I used linked -here-)

  1. Whisk together pumpkin, evaporated milk, vanilla, eggs until combined.

  2. Add in sugar, pumpkin pie spice, and salt.

  3. Pour into pre-greased pan and place in oven uncovered for 20 minutes.

  4. While pumpkin mix if cooking mix together all cinnamon topping ingredients and make a nice crumble for the top.

  5. Once 20 min has passed remove from oven and turn oven to 375.

  6. Add crumble onto top of pumpkin mix and place back into oven for 20-30 minutes or until a knife or toothpick comes out clean. Let cool for 5-10 minutes before serving.

  7. Enjoy with ice cream, caramel or chocolate toppings.

If you by chance don't finish you can store in the refrigerator, cover with plastic wrap, and reheat in oven when ready for leftovers!

For all 360 pans I used shop -here- and use code AMANDAWARREN20 for 20% off your entire purchase.

Designing My Thanksgiving Table 2022: Festive Inspirations for a Memorable Feast!

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As the crisp Autumn leaves tumble to the ground and the excitement of the holiday season starts to warm our hearts, I'm excited to share my vision for " My Thanksgiving Table 2022 ". This special time of the year calls for a deep sense of gratitude, a delicious cornucopia of food, and meaningful connections with our most loved ones. As we gear up to set the stage for memorable conversations and laughter, I'm here to inspire you with tablescape ideas and tips to make your Thanksgiving gathering unforgettable. Let's get ready to serve up elegance along with your turkey feast!

Begin by selecting a color palette that is the traditional Thanksgiving colors, and are both inviting and warm. Great choices include golds, oranges, and reds. For a nice statement piece, consider a unique table runner or a decorative tablecloth. After laying out the tableware, such as plates, glasses, and cutlery, in a way that is both aesthetically pleasing and practical, add a centerpiece to the middle of the table. For a more traditional look, opt for a cornucopia or a vase of flowers. For a more modern look, consider an arrangement of pumpkins, gourds, and greenery.

You can also add a few small decorations such as candles or fall-themed place cards to make the table look more festive. Hang a few decorations such as garlands or lights for an extra touch of festivity. Set the mood with a Thanksgiving playlist and some cozy lighting. Don’t forget to pull out the cozy throws and pillows for extra comfort! With these tips and tricks, hopefully, you’ll find inspiration to host the perfect Thanksgiving Table this year!

Fall floral arrangement

Whether you’re hosting a formal dinner or a casual gathering, My Thanksgiving Table has you covered. Incorporate classic Thanksgiving colors such as reds, oranges, and browns into your floral arrangements to create a festive atmosphere. Add texture to your floral arrangements with seasonal leaves, twigs, and berries to make them look even more stunning and festive. Consider using seasonal blooms like chrysanthemums, sunflowers, and dahlias to give your table a truly autumnal feel. For an extra festive touch, add pumpkins, gourds, and other Fall decorations. Fragrant herbs like rosemary, sage, and lavender can also be used for decoration or even as part of the meal. Place a single large flower or a few small ones in the center of the table for a classic look. Alternatively, use small vases or mason jars to display smaller bouquets. For a bolder look, create a focal point by arranging large, tall flowers in the center of the table. Use white or cream as an accent color to make other colors stand out and give your table a finished look.

Creating my arrangement this year was tough. I no longer have my amazing florist nearby who did all my centerpieces before we moved to Texas. I tried my best to make my own and went out to the supermarkets. All I found were old flowers that were falling apart on me. My sweet florist from Cali went the extra mile for me and found and called a local florist nearby in The Woodlands, TX without me knowing and had them piece together a beautiful flower arrangement just the way I would like it based on my inspo pictures. I love the leafy elements of the arrangement against the soft pastel colors of the flowers. It gives it beautiful natural elements!

Place Settings

I used white dishes and serve ware to make the table timeless and classic and added pops of color with seasonal fruits and vegetables such as pumpkins, pine cones, eucalyptus, gourds, and cranberries. Be sure to accentuate the table with a few metallic pieces for a touch of glamour. I wanted to break up the colors plus use my new dishes, so I went with the beautiful Lenox French Perle Scallop place setting. I added in my all-time favorite Amazon finds with my gold silverware. Lastly, I found these adorable napkins on Amazon and tied a velvet ribbon as napkin rings/holders that gave a beautiful texture and visual interest. I love it when I can find multiple uses for things! This gave a soft layer and offset the centerpieces with all the color!

Accents

Accent candles and candlesticks are a great way to add a touch of elegance to your Thanksgiving table. They come in a variety of colors, shapes, and sizes, so it's super easy to find something that will fit your theme and décor. Place the candles on the table to create a cozy atmosphere and add a touch of elegance to the room. Use different colored candles to create a vibrant look, or mix and match to create a unique and personalized touch. They are also great for setting the mood and creating the perfect ambiance for your Thanksgiving dinner. When the candles are lit, the flickering light will create a soft and inviting glow, making your guests feel right at home. Candlesticks are an easy and affordable way to make your Thanksgiving table look beautiful and inviting. I found mine at Sur La Table along with my gingham table runner. Gingham is a timeless pattern that will never go out of style, making it a great choice to use year after year. With the checkered pattern available in a variety of colors, you can choose a runner or tablecloth that best fits your Thanksgiving table. Not only is the gingham pattern beautiful, but the lightweight fabric allows it to drape nicely, giving your table a polished look.

I also added a small charcuterie board as part of the table decor to get people to come to the table before dinner was served and give a beautiful element that tied into the pears & pomegranates. Choose an array of meats, cheeses, nuts, olives, and crackers that will create a delicious and attractive presentation. Layer the board with different textures and colors to make it more interesting, and include a few seasonal items such as cranberries, pumpkin seeds, and spiced nuts. Add a few sweet items such as honey, jams, and candied nuts to give it a festive flair.

Food & Wine

Nothing says Thanksgiving like traditional food and wine. I always love to have elements on the table that make sure my guests know they can sit and enjoy at any time. Having open bottles of wine and simple charcuterie boards allows for this comfortable snacking. This also makes sure your guests don't go hungry or thirsty while you are preparing dinner and tending to other guests. This Thanksgiving we are serving Decoy wines, both with a red and a white, so our guests can choose their favorite. To see all that Decoy has to offer for your Thanksgiving day gatherings and where you can pick up their brand locally head to their website -here-. For the simple charcuterie board, I did cheeses, crackers and grapes. Our local H-E-B has the most delicious varieties of cheese balls, and I grabbed an amazing pecan one! Mixing the cheeseball up with a few other cheeses gave the board variety, yet still keeps it simple. Also, make sure not to do anything too heavy, as you have a big meal coming soon!

With these simple touches, your Thanksgiving table will be transformed into a warm and inviting space for your family and friendships. Your guests will be delighted by the atmosphere of your Thanksgiving table and you will be sure to have a memorable celebration. That is my Thanksgiving table decor for this go around. The last Thanksgiving table I did, linked -here- included more pastels, so this difference was such a fun way to mix things up in our new home. I hope you enjoyed this read and the pictures, and I hope it gave you some inspiration and creativity for your next holiday table decor. For more table decor ideas, recipes and everyday life be sure to stick around and subscribe -here-.

Shop Everything Used On my LTK -here- and below

Baked Burrata Pumpkin Ziti with Pork Sausage Recipe

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This dish is an Autumn favorite and is perfect for a nice cold day. It features pumpkin ziti, oven-baked burrata cheese and Italian pork sausage. The burrata cheese texture is soft, mild and delicate, made from both mozzarella and cream. The pork sausage is a seasoned ground pork that is smoked for a richer flavor and pairs so well with the pumpkin sauce taste on the ziti pasta. This dish takes a delicious traditional pasta plate and pairs it with that Fall pumpkin craze for a fun festive way to celebrate the season. If someone coming over for dinner isn't the biggest pumpkin fan, then don't worry because this blend isn't an overpowering flavor of pumpkin. This makes it a satisfying dish with just a hint of unique flavors that everyone is sure to love. Trust me when I tell you this dish is sure to be an Autumn favorite, but also one you will find yourself craving all year long.

Ingredients :

1 lb ziti

4 tablespoons butter

1 shallot

2 tablespoons flour

1 teaspoon red pepper flakes

1 teaspoon basil

1 teaspoon oregano

1 cup 100% pure pumpkin

1 cup heavy cream

1 lb pork sausage

2 cloves garlic

1/2 cup veg broth

1 1/2 cup parmesan

8 oz. Burrata

Instructions :

Prep: Preheat oven to 375 degree temperature. Bring pot of water to a boil. Mince shallot and garlic cloves. Shred Parmesan. Prep time 5 minutes.

1. Add butter garlic and shallots to pot and let cook until fragrant and shallots become caramelized.

2. Add in pork sausage (you can double the amount of meat in this if you want a more hearty meal as well) and cook breaking up meat as it cooks.

3. Once sausage is cooked in pan add seasoning; red pepper flakes, basil and oregano. Blend together and add flour. Now add in 100% Pumpkin pure and vegetable broth stirring to marry together.

4. While cooking sausage and sauce, if water has come to a boil add in the 1 lb of ziti to cook. Once al dente drain. Usually this takes 9-11 minutes

5. When you are almost ready to add in pasta turn off stove and add in heavy cream and 1 cup of the parmesan cheese. Add pasta and incorporate together.

6. Next to make a baked ziti you will be adding this into the oven. If you do not have an oven-safe pan you will need to pour ingredients into a new oven-safe container. I love the 360 pans because they are 100% stainless steel and can go from stove top to oven!.

7. Once ready to go into oven you will sprinkle the remaining 1/2 cup of parmesan on top and break apart the Burrata as well.

8. Place in oven and bake for 12-17 minutes until top is bubbly.

9. ENJOY!!

For more recipes like these head to my Pinterest tab titled Cooking with Amanda. Here you will find even more 100% pure pumpkin recipes and comfort food to enjoy this Christmas and holiday season.

You can shop all 360 cookware I use -here- discount code AmandaWarren20 will give you 20% off the entire site and will make the perfect Christmas gift this season for your favorite chef!

The Most Delicious Homemade Corn Bread Loaf Recipe

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Fall is upon us, the weather is cooling down, and that makes the timing perfect to serve a warm plate of cornbread. I love making this tasty treat. Cornbread is so easy to make and can be used to pair with such a variety of dishes. In this article I'm going to show you how to make a cornbread loaf everyone will love! This recipe makes will make 2 full sized loafs, so to only make 1 loaf you will just split all ingredients of the recipe in half. Another fun way to use this recipe is to make mini cornbread loaves. To do this you will make change the cooking time accordingly. Such Fun for the holidays!

In this recipe I used my 360 Cookware loaf pans that are linked -here- and as you can see in the photos their pans have beautiful handles that look great on the table when serving. They also have the tab loaf -here- that has more of a table handle and is also beautiful. Both of these pans are the best way to make this bread. All 360 Cookware products are made in the good ol' USA and stainless steel, giving your food the best quality and making you feel good about your purchase!

Cornbread loaf is the ultimate comfort food. It Goes great with chili, soups and really any Fall meals, especially warm meals. I love adding actual corn into my cornbread to give an extra crunch that isn't always expected.

Ingredients:

2 cups yellow cornmeal

2 cups all-purpose flour

1 cup sugar

3 teaspoons baking powder

1 tablespoon sea salt

2 cups milk (or buttermilk substitute)

1 stick butter + additional 1/2 tbsp butter

1/2 cup honey

4 eggs

1 cups corn

Directions:

  1. Preheat oven to 375 degrees and oil your loaf pans. This recipe makes 2 loaves of corn bread if you are looking for less just cut everything in half. I use my 360 Cookware pans and will link them below.

  2. Add all dry ingredients into a bowl and mix together.

  3. In a new bowl add eggs, and lightly beat with a fork. Add in milk, melted butter, honey and mix with eggs.

  4. Add all dry ingredients into wet mixture and blend well. Lastly, add in 1 cup of corn and softly fold into batter.

  5. Pour batter into loaf pans equally and bake for 30-45 min or until loaf is set in the middle. Tip..place a toothpick in the center of the loaf, then pull out to see if it comes out clean. This means your loaf is cooked well.

  6. Next take the last 2 tbsp of butter and lather the top of the cornbread evenly. This gives a delicious caramelized top to the golden brown bread.

  7. Enjoy! I love my cornbread with butter and a little honey on top! YUM!

To Find more recipes from Amanda Warren head -here- or click on Food & Dink on the website!

The Bloggers Guide to Merlot

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If you're a wine lover like me, chances are you've seen the movie "Sideways", which showcases a large part of the beautiful, majestic wine region of the Central California Coast which contains 40 AVA's (American Viticultural Area). We all know the famous Paul Giamatti "not safe for the blog" line about Merlot in the movie, but I need you to forget about that line right now! This movie has actually been heavily mentioned as being a serious catalyst to the cause in the drop of the popularity of Merlot, affecting its sales, and even simultaneously increasing the popularity of other varietals such as Pinot Noir. Sideways couldn't take down Merlot though as it is the second most planted grape variety in the world! Being that it's Merlot month, I want to take you through the back story of this great wine and explain why it's become one of our favorites. Of course, the foodie in me has compelled me to share a few ideas on what you can pair Merlot with at your next dinner party!

Why We Like Merlot

It's quickly become one of our favorite wines in the Warren home, especially as a dinner wine. Merlot pairs so well with many of the things we like to cook. It's often compared to Cabernet but with a softer option and usually lower in tannins. I happen to be slight;y sensitive to tannins and find that I get headaches easier with some red blends that are heavy in them. Sometimes all it takes is one glass, and I can still wake up with a headache. Merlot doesn't have this effect on me however, and even though I also love a good cab, this is one reason why I find myself quicker to grab for Merlot off the shelf. Merlot also has a lower acidity and lighter body which I also feel helped fuel the rise in popularity of Pinot Noir as a replacement for a bit of lost popularity in the past. Depending on the region and climate of where the wine is produced will also have a factor on the taste. Growing in a warmer client will produce juicier, fruit forward notes. Whereas growing in cooler climates can produce a product closer to the taste of a Cab. This is why we love the J. Lohr Estate Los Osos Merlot from Paso Robles, CA. The climate in which its grown is a perfect mix of cooler nights and warmer days. The 2020 vintage is also blended with 14% Malbec which brings juiciness to the palate and 10% Cabernet Franc that adds layers of cocoa and peppery spice. This blend gives a lighter, juicier mouthfeel product with fantastic notes of fresh plum and bright raspberry flavors.

Characteristics of Merlot

Wine drinkers have been known to say that they can taste of the local flavor of the wine grapes. These can be sweet and sometimes dry, sometimes smooth and sometimes bitter at the finish, and often times that they can't taste any difference at all. Have you ever wondered about the different grape varieties themselves and how the wine has these differing tastes and textures? Merlot is a type of grape that has a soft, fruity taste and is grown in many wine-producing regions around the world. The grapes grow in different climates, soils, and with differing techniques will slightly alter the characteristics of it. This makes Merlot one of my favorite wines to enjoy and experience the uniqueness of it at wine tastings.


Merlot Growing Regions

Grown all over the world the four leading producers of Merlot grapes are

1.)Bordeaux, France 2.)Tuscany, Italy 3.) A northern region of Italy called Friuli-Venezia Giulia, and of course close to my heart, and my personal favorite, 4.) California. According to The Wine Institute the majority of California's Merlot vines are planted in Lodi/San Joaquin County, followed by Napa, Sonoma and Monterey counties. While the majority of California Merlot comes from these regions, there are not many other popular wined regions in California that produce world class Merlot, such as Paso Robles. Our favorite, the Los Osos Merlot from J. Lohr Vineyards & Wines, is grown in the moderately cool El Pomar District of Paso Robles, which is acknowledged to be the ideal area for this variety in the Paso Robles AVA.

Food Pairings with Merlot

Merlot, while amazing to sip on its own, is just as wonderful to enjoy with food.

Our featured wine, the J. Lohr Estate Los Osos Merlot is a very versatile wine for food pairings as well. This wine goes absolutely great with a variety of foods ranging from a grilled sausage and vegetable shish kebob all the way to a decadent creamy spinach and tomato tortellini dish. I personally love pairing the Los Osos Merlot with lamb chops topped with a fig cherry glaze and a side of roasted vegetables and garlic mashed potatoes.

No matter the occasion, be it elegant dinner parties, or just a weekend backyard BBQ the 2020 J.Lohr Estates Los Osos Merlot is going to please every guest that sits at your table. This perfect blend of 76% Merlot, 14% Malbec, and 10% Cab Franc gives the wine the bright, fruitful flavor that brings a juiciness to the pallet that you are sure to love. Do yourself a favor and uncork a bottle, then sit back and enjoy the smiles of all your satisfied friends.

For more about the J. Lohr Estate Los Osos Merlot or to visit the beautiful vineyards in Paso Robles, California click -here-.

This is a sponsored post by J. Lohr Vineyards & Wines. All opinions and research is my own.

Chocolate Peanut Butter Brownies

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I love both chocolate and peanut butter so much, so naturally when mixed together and its doubly delicious. They both just melt in your mouth, and my sweet tooth just can't get enough. That's why I made these brownies for my friends and family. You won't be able to stop with just one, and I promise you wont be disappointed!

You can serve these up fresh out of the oven, or let come to room temperature and add-on a delicious peanut butter buttercream frosting topping making for a delicious cake brownie!

What Pan is Best for Baking Brownies?

I am using the newest 360 cookware brownie pan and its the absolute best pan for baking brownies to ensure even baking. I always use their stainless steel pans for the best non-toxic baking. All of their pots and pans are also made homegrown here in America which I love, and from my dealings with them they are the nicest company!! This recipe works perfect for this pan size only, but if you are wanting to make it in one of their other pans like the jelly roll -here- or bake and roast pan -here- you will need to double everything in the recipe. I would start the baking time the same and just check in adding 5 min increments until cooked to your liking.

Ingredients :

1/4 cup melted butter

2 oz melted chocolate

2 tablespoons unsweetened cocoa powder

1/2 cup granulated sugar

1/4 brown sugar

2 eggs

2 teaspoons pure vanilla extract

1/4 cup all-purpose flour

1/4 cup melted peanut butter

Instructions & Directions :

1. Add hot melted butter to chocolate and mix until chocolate melts. If it doesn't melt quick enough I put my mixing bowl -here- on top of my 2 quart sauce pot -here- on my stove. Stirring the entire time to prevent from burning.

2. After melted, mix into bowl eggs & vanilla ingredients.

Next add in unsweetened cocoa powder, granulated sugar, brown sugar, and flour ingredients until well blended.

3. Take your brownie pan of choice and pour 1 tbsp olive oil or melted butter and using a paper towel coat the entire pan evenly. Pour in brownie batter

4. In a new bowl melt peanut butter and add tablespoons of peanut butter into brownie mix. Taking a sharp knife swirl around peanut butter. Be sure not to over swirl or the peanut butter brown will start to blend with brownie batter. You want them to have a fun design and the peanut butter to be equally spread throughout, while still being separate from brownie batter.

5. Bake for 25 minutes at 350.

6. Remove from oven and let cool before cutting and ENJOY!

Substitute:

A few substitutions you can make are:

  • Regular brown sugar to dark brown sugar - this will give a more rich taste for this substitute.

  • Adding 1/4 cup chocolate chips into brownie batter - this will give you a richer and gooier brownie! This combination is amazing if you love a rich chocolate dessert!

  • Trading our butter for olive oil - I am always a fan of butter however if you cannot have butter switching to olive oil is the best switch to make in the directions.

I really hope you guys enjoy my Chocolate Peanut Butter Brownies recipe! This is one of my favorite baked goods to enjoy at home or to take to a party! If you are precutting to take to an event I suggest placing on parchment paper in an airtight container for the best presentation and taste!

For more recipes head -here- and come back soon for a delicious lemon cheesecake recipe!

Have a blessed day, Amanda

Pork Banh Mi Bowl : Deliciously Satisfying

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Are you looking for an easy and delicious meal that will have everyone in your house coming back for more? Try the Pork Banh Mi Bowl! This flavorful dish is sure to satisfy your cravings with its combination of Vietnamese-inspired flavors and fresh ingredients. Not only is it packed with flavor, but it is also incredibly easy to make, making it the perfect go-to for busy weeknights. Whether you're hosting a dinner party or just looking for a quick and tasty meal, the Pork Banh Mi Bowl is sure to hit the spot!

I first started making this after getting it in a Home Chef box and thinking it was delicious. Then I thought…this was something different than we normally eat, but so yummy that I decided to make it with my own little twist! I took their recipe and tweaked it just a little by adding a little more garlic, and radishes, along with a few other different ingredients I normally have on hand! It came out super tasty and now is always a favorite in our home. I hope you enjoy it just as much as we do!! So here is my version of a pork banh mi bowl recipe.

A way to make this meal all your own.. You can always change this to a beef banh mi bowl with a change of meat or take our the meat and use even more vegetables to make a vegetarian banh mi bowl. If you are looking for a more low carbohydrates meal substitute the jasmine rice for lettuce wraps.


Ingredients:

2 lbs ground pork

4 garlic cloves diced

1/4 cup coconut aminos

1 tablespoons cornstarch

1/3 cup vegetable stock

1 tablespoons rice vinegar

2 tablespoons brown sugar

1 cup jasmine rice

Pickled Veggies:

1/2 cup cucumber

1/2 cup carrots

1/2 cup radish

1 cup warm water

1 cup rice vinegar

1/2 cup sugar

1 cup jasmine rice

Sauce: (my version of a sriracha mayo, you can always substitute if you want)

1/4 cup mayo

2 tablespoons chili garlic sauce

Instructions:

  1. Lets pickle the veggies first! Cut cucumbers, carrots and radish (add jalapenos in also if you want a little more spice) into slices and stir together with warm water, vinegar and sugar. Let sit in refrigerator while building your bowl.

  2. Making the pork. Start cooking pork in a stainless steel pan. As always I use 360 cookware and will link everything used below as well as my discount code!

  3. Heat 1 cup water in pan until boiling. Add 1 cup of jasmine rice and stir. Once comes to a boil reduce heat to low and cover with lid. Cooking until water has evaporated. Around 15 min,

  4. While pork is cooking on medium make sauce to pour onto pork. Combine all ingredients; minced garlic cloves, coconut aminos, corn starch, vegetable stock, rice vinegar and brown sugar in a bowl until well combined.

  5. Once pork is all cooked pour over sauce and stir. Let coat the pork until its combined and not runny. Set aside

  6. Lastly make spicy sauce by combining mayo and chili garlic!

  7. Now, Make your bowl! Layer rice, pork, veggies and sauce! ENJOY!

Items used for recipe from 360 Cookware linked below. When using code AmandaWarren20 you will receive 20% off entire order! Or by clicking -here-.

For more recipes make sure you are following along by signing up for emails and be the first to know when a recipe is posted. Sign up -here-.

Banh Mi Bowls are bursting with bold flavors and a variety of textures. The jasmine rice base is the perfect foundation for the bright, crunchy vegetables, savory marinated pork, and creamy Sriracha mayo dressing. To boost the flavor, top with pickled jalapeños and a sprinkle of sesame seeds. Delicious and healthy, Banh Mi Bowls are a great way to enjoy a satisfying meal. The combination of flavors and textures will delight your taste buds. Plus, it is a quick and easy meal to put together. Simply cook the ground pork and assemble all the ingredients in a bowl. Enjoy a delicious and satisfying meal in no time!

Other Dinners You May Enjoy:

Baked Burrata Pumpkin Ziti with Pork Sausage Recipe

Delicious and Easy Chorizo One Pan Dinner

Easy and Delicious Mushroom & Pea Risotto Recipe

Garlic Mushroom & Shrimp Pasta

Paso Robles City Guide

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With over 20,000 visitors yearly its no wonder Paso Robles wine and food scene is becoming so popular. Me and the hubs love to visit often and enjoy the amazing wine, views and award-winning restaurants! We lived less than 2 hours away and would try to stop at a new winery when we pass through on our way to the beach house! Recently moving to Texas the Paso Robles wine country is one of the biggest things I am missing about California travel. Growing more than 40 varieties of wine you can always find the most delicious wine to take home too! Below I’ll share our favorite wineries, restaurants, where to stay and other things to do around the area.

Wineries & Wine Tasting

These are our favorite places to go wine tasting with quick reasons why. We have been going to Paso Robles tasting for over 10 years and our goal was to try them all.. we ended up moving out of California this year so this goal may take a little longer then we had hoped for but out of the MANY we have tried these are ones we continue to order wine from and still love to visit! (This are not in order by favorites, these are all our favorites and each experience is different so read through and see what you are looking for in a winery.)

Austin Hope: Top 5 for all around experiences. Delicious charcuterie boards, beautiful architecture, amazing wine, and allow dogs! We sat outside in a cozy little area, we loved that each tasting spot felt secluded to you own group yet special. Staff was very friendly and knowledgeable as well. More info: https://hopefamilywines.com/

Justin Winery: Some of our favorite wines, gorgeous location, food is AMAZING and they also have a tasting room downtown Paso if you don't want to make the drive to their winery. I highly recommend it though because the experience is beautiful with outdoor seating. Be sure to order some Justification for us with a juicy burger!! Dogs are also welcome outside. More info: https://www.justinwine.com/

Thatcher Winery: We walked into this family-owned winery one afternoon and loved the adorable space, delicious wines and views of wild turkeys running around the vines. For a more in depth tasting and one on one experience you can book a stable tasting as well! More info: https://www.thatcherwine.com/

Parrish Family Vineyard: An absolutely stunning location!! Home concept tasting room helps everyone feel at home while they enjoy their wine. Also serving Sunday brunch, pairing foods and a gorgeous outside seating area that the whole family can enjoy! More info: https://www.parrishfamilyvineyard.com/

Daou: One of the most stunning views in all of Paso! Delicious charcuterie boards make for a great afternoon stop to enjoy the views and really enjoy the rolling hills of Paso Robles. More info: https://daouvineyards.com/

Chronic Cellars: Fun & Chill vibe! They have some delicious wine and a glass comes with your tasting! We actually grabbed this wine last night at our local Whole Foods here in Texas. A great price point for a quick grab or as they say a "weekday wine". More info: https://www.chroniccellars.com/

AmByth Estate: Such a fun winery with animals that are maintaining the land, giving the Biodynamic farming for the most natural way to produce wine. It was truly fascinating to do a tour around the estate-grown farm and see the animals & vineyard and to hear all about how they grow and produce on their farm. More info: https://www.ambythestate.com/

Tablas Creek Vineyard: Known for bringing Rhone wine to California this winery is a perfect place to come for all! Fans of both red & whites will both be happy here! They have tastings options with all white, all red or a mix. This gets a top rating for wine from us! More info: https://tablascreek.com/

Booker: This will definitely win for ambiance.. and its not just because of the adorable winery pup that is always at the tasting room! To truly see why this wins ambiance you have to head to my Instagram highlights under "Paso Wine" and see the attention to detail in this one. The wine was as delicious as the architecture as well! More info: https://www.bookerwines.com/

Bodega de Edgar: Rhone & Spanish style wines right in California! Staff was very friendly, wine was amazing and you have choice of outside or inside tastings. Great relaxed style of wine tasting. More info: https://www.bodegadeedgar.com/

Calcareous Vineyard: If you are looking for a spot with great wine, incredible views and amazing food? This is it! A great place for even those non wine drinkers in your group to really take in Paso while having an incredible lunch. More info: https://www.calcareous.com/

Castoro Cellars: Great location for a stop while wine tasting. Organic & Estate grown wines. They also allow you to bring in your own food. Makes for a great place if you want to bring in a box lunch from Vivant Cheese (I talk more about this below) More info: https://castorocellars.com/

Linne Calodo Cellars: A beautiful boutique style winery that has some truly amazing wine. They aren't a wine you will find on a shelf or on the menu at your local restaurant so be sure to buy online or on your tasting trip. Also make sure you make a reservation at this one as the times they are open can change. Well worth the appointment ahead of time! More info: https://linnecalodo.com/

Where to Enjoy a Meal

Thomas Hill Organics: One of the most deliciously prepared meals with unexpected ingredients you may never think to order. With farm-to-table local ingredients as well as an ever changing menu its one of our top favorites for sure! Make sure to make a reservation its always packed. If you happen to go during colder months request a table by the fire it makes for a wonderful experince!

Vivant Fine Cheese: We found this place a few years ago after getting a wine and cheese pairing at Daou. They told us the store in town where we could get one of the cheeses we loved and we have been coming back ever since! Everything we have gotten from here has been so amazing! I highly recommend getting a picnic box and taking it to one of your wineries if they don't serve food.

Les Petites Canailles: Incredible is the first word that comes to mind! Deliciously amazing food and if you haven't had enough wine yet the selection here is huge! Highly recommend making a reservation here as they are always packed and like a lot of places in Paso its small and intimate inside. Don't skip on the dessert either. My husband usually never wants to get dessert and I always do. We ordered one here and he was in love!

Finca: Looking for somewhere quick or to go? Finca is a perfect little spot right down from the Mercantile that is an adorable Market Walk. Food at Finca is fresh Baja/Mexican style food that is a great go to! We took my in-laws here and the next time they drove through Paso they stopped by again! (I think they liked it!!)

Fish Gaucho: Delicious sit down modern Mexican. Full bar and delicious Guacamole are sure to make this a great stop on your trip!

Lastly.. Negranti Creamery for a quick ice cream dessert on your way back to your hotel!

Where to Stay In Paso Robles

After all that food and wine you might want to know where to rest that sleepy and maybe a bit buzzy head!

Paso Robles Hotels:

Allegretto: A gorgeous hotel with so many wonderful amenities. A wine tasting room, delicious restaurant, cabanas by the pool, large fitness center, complementary bikes and the most comfortable beds!

Hotel Cheval: We haven't stayed at this hotel however it is absolutely adorable and last time we were in town we walked inside to get a feel for it. In a great downtown location perfect to walk to dinner. Is a boutique style so be sure to book this one early as availability is limited.

Stables Inn: We also haven't styed at this location but we did drive by on our last visit as well. I also have it saved on an Instagram tab to stay at on our next time we visit. A 19-room boutique style hotel is in another great location and has a super cute Western chic vibe.

Local Vacation Rentals are also a great way to stay around Paso with many beautiful homes in walking distance to downtown. As well as some wineries having small availability/bed and breakfast style stays. Many of these are only available for wine members so check online at your favorites to see if they have this available as well!

Other things to do that don't involve wine:

Craft Beer & Cider Tasting: With many great local breweries you will find a place for those non wine drinkers in the group. Some of our favorites are in Tin City including; firestone walker, barrel house, and other great little places to stop at.

Distillery Trail: As you journey along the Paso Robles and SLO Distillery Trails, you’ll taste one of a kind spirits and meet the individuals behind the bottle as they work passionately and artfully to create exquisite brandy, whiskey, gin, vodka, liquors and grappa. For more info on distilleries click -here-.

Take a Day Trip: Other great things to do around Paso Robles are the beautiful Central Coast. We of course are partial to Morro Bay, you can see my guide -here-. However many other beautiful coastal towns are just 30ish minutes away and worth the drive to get to your destination.

Antique Shopping Downtown: Downtown is filled with adorable antique shops in between the restaurant. You can make an entire afternoon around this square.

Mid State Fair: If you plan your trip to Paso Robles in line with the Mid State Fair you will be sure to find some of the best concerts in the United States. Full of amazing singers, great eats, lots of rides, and animals!

Paso Robles Mercantile: The cutest indoor shopping center full of little boutique store, cheese shops, wine tasting, ice cream and so much more. Every time we go to this stop with someone new they love it! You will too!

Field of Light at Sensorio: This is a beautiful night light show in a Paso Robles field. Showing incredible views of Paso and the rolling hills in a whole new way. I suggest going before sun sets so you can get the whole effect. Also make sure you have a jacket it gets cool at night.

What to Pack/wear:

Paso Robles is a great town full of all types of styles. I of course am a little partial to wearing dresses, so a nice light weight dress with a sweater or coat is perfect. Even in summer Paso Robles can tend to get cool at nights so I highly recommend taking some type of jacket just incase. In January and February I do tend to wear jeans and layers... however you could tend to get warm days. So my biggest recommendation on what to pack and wear is layers! Here are a few of my favorite looks from wine tasting. You can also shop my LTK -here- and search Paso Robles or Wine Tasting to see some of my past outfits and shop them as well.

There you have our city guide to Paso Robles, CA! Hope you enjoy the beautiful countryside and have a sippin’ good time! Let me know below if you have a favorite place I didn't mention below. I am always looking for new places to try!

Have A Blessed Day, Amanda

Birthday Cutout Sugar Cookies

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These may be called “birthday sugar cookies” but I approve them to be eaten on any day all year long! Enjoy them for any celebration, special milestones, or also just because you want a tasty dessert. I love making these for fun and adding a small amount of white chocolate to add décor and to add a little extra sweetness. The cookie itself without the chocolate isn’t overly sweet (but more buttery and delicious), so this makes for the ultimate pairing! Adding in the colorful sprinkles makes for a fun burst of color and you can even add different color themes to go with parties, holidays like Christmas, Valentine Day, and more! Hope you enjoy!

Ingredients:

1 cup melted butter

2 cups white sugar

2 eggs

2 tsp vanilla ext

4 cups all-purpose flour

1/2 tsp salt

1 tsp baking soda

1 tsp baking powder

3/4 cup buttermilk

1/2 cup sprinkles

white chocolate for decorating (can use buttercream if you rather)

Instructions:

  1. Beat butter and sugar together.

  2. 2. Add eggs and vanilla extract, and mix well.

  3. In another bowl, sift flour, salt, baking soda and baking powder together, and add little by little to butter mixture, alternating with buttermilk.

  4. Now that your dough is made you will wrap in plastic wrap and refrigerate for at least 6 hours. I like to let mine stay overnight and up to 24 hours. This makes the cutouts come out better on edges.

  5. After dough has chilled and you are ready to roll out. Heat oven to 375 degrees.

  6. Be sure to flour surface area, rolling pin and dough to make sure no sticking happens. I am using 360 cookie cutters here! So many amazing designs and shapes!! Shop entire collections -here- (use code AMANDAWARREN20 for 20% off entire site)

  7. Bake for 8-10 minutes on stainless steel pan. After baking place onto cooling rack and decorate once cooled. After decorated ENJOY!!

Morro Bay Travel Tips

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I have to admit I have emotionally put this blog post off for the last few months because it makes me feel a little bitter sweet about all the memories we had in Morro Bay. Now that we live in Texas we probably wont be visiting this beautiful little beach town much if at all. The memories are fond and our beach house was such a blessing and a beautiful time in our lives that I’m so thankful we had for a few years.

If you are new around here my husband and I had a beach house in Morro Bay, CA for over 2 years. At one point we thought we would move there from our little home town that was 2 hours away. Life changed and so did our plans. We decided to flip the script and moved to Texas instead in May of this year. Even though we sold our home in Morro Bay, we are keeping the memories we built there for a lifetime!

I have received so many questions about things to do, places to eat (especially that are dog friendly) and towns to visit nearby. So I want to offer you this as a “locals” perspective. I grew up visiting Morro Bay many times a year along with the surrounding areas. Then when we had our house I would spend at least 1 week a month if not more at this charming beach town.

Many people ask why we chose this town over the other surrounding nearby beaches. I grew up coming here, my grandparents had a home and we would visit often. Scotty’s grandparents had a place in Pismo Beach, which is just a little south on the coast line but is always bustling and busy. This brings us to the biggest reason we chose Morro Bay, for the small town quiet, peaceful vibe of it most days. The Embarcadero area does get busy during weekends, but go on a week day or on the off season and its just a charming little town full of locals and vacation homeowners. Its a little cooler here and has more moody weather that the surrounding towns, like sometimes a stiff wind when walking the beach. This means the beaches are never usually packed. We aren’t very big lay on the beach all day people anyway, so this made for the perfect place for us to just simply walk with our dog everyday. Lastly, we wanted this area because it was somewhere we could see ourselves living.

Favorite Things To Do:

  1. Walk on the dog beach - Our favorite thing to do and a daily MUST! We would go every single day with our pup and she absolutely loved it. An off leash beach that she can run along in the water and sand and enjoy life to the fullest. Bonus we got to get our exercise in as well.

  2. Strolling along the Embarcadero - the downtown are where all the shopping, eats and fun things to do are! Also the best spot to see sea otters and sea lions.

  3. Kayak - Along the Embarcadero you will see lots of watersports and rental things to do. We went kayaking a few times and loved being in the water and around all the seals. Its a beautiful little area to see from another view on kayak’s. They also have great whale watching, paddleboarding, and many other attractions.

  4. Get on a boat - Another water activity we loved! We rented a pontoon boat from -bay cruisers- when my cousins visited one weekend and it was so much fun! You can take your own drinks and food and ride around the Embarcadero area. It moves slow and is perfect for kids.

  5. Take a Hike - There are countless hiking trails around Morro Bay that allow for great adventures. Some of our favorites with the most magnificent views are: Montana De Oro State Park - Bluff Trail, Marina Peninsula Trail, Cloisters Wetland, and Harmony Headlands State Park.

  6. Golf - Morro Bay has one of the most beautiful golf courses that overlooks the water and makes for one our favorite activities on a weekend in Morro Bay.

  7. Take a Day Trip - Some of our favorite places to go near by are Paso Robles (see my blog post here for more on Paso), Cambria, Cayucos, Avila Beach, Arroyo Grande, and Pismo Beach

Favorite Eats :

  1. Flavor Factory - Delicious burgers, sandwiches, fries and specializes in the most amazing desserts. I might rate this one the best cheesecakes we have ever had! They are all made fresh and so good. Must try!

  2. Sea Shanty - Amore’s favorite BY FAR! If you are looking for somewhere to go with your pup. Head up the road to Cayucos and enjoy a patio seating where Dog’s are treated just as good as people (if not better)! They have blankets for your pup to lay on, dog bowls for water, treats, and an entire dog menu. Amore loves the Hamburger and rice! The food they serve for us humans is just as delicious! If you order dessert, the Swamp Pie is my favorite. One night driving into town I ordered this 2 minutes before they closed so I could pickup before we got to our house. I jumped out of the truck as Scott pulled up and grabbed it as they were cleaning the kitchen. Its that good!!

  3. The Hidden Kitchen - The adorable location isn’t the only thing keeping me coming back to this spot! Healthy, fresh produce, organic and 100% gluten free makes this a great spot for breakfast, brunch and lunch!

  4. High Tide - Looking for a sandwich or acai bowl? This is your spot! Absolutely delicious, quick service and in a great location on Morro Bay Blvd. Its also outside seating if you want somewhere your pup can come with you! Perfect to eat and shop the vintage stores down the strip.

  5. Dorn’s - One of my Mom’s favorite restaurants! On our last week in Morro Bay my Mom had a list of places she wanted to visit, and this was at the top of the list! I grew up going here for brunch every time we came to Morro Bay and still love their breakfast. If you are heading here for dinner get ready for the freshest warm bread! This is by far the best place you can eat around the Embarcadero. It over looks the water and Morro Rock.

  6. Umi Sushi & Sake - If you are looking for sushi, this is your spot! Another one on the Embarcadero and very delicious!! Highly recommend. Spicy Edamame & Angry Lobster Roll were our favorites!

  7. Taco Temple - The best Mexican food in Morro Bay.. and we tried them all! They have the freshest seafood. Last time we went they said they had caught our cod fish for tacos just 2 hours before. You cant get any fresher then that friends! They also have outside seating for those with furry friends.

  8. La Parisienne - Delicious Cookies & Baked goods! The Almond Chocolate Chip was a family favorite!

I cant give an honest review on hotels & places to stay because we never stayed at any. There are tons of campgrounds and great hotels through the town! If you aren't far make it a Morro Bay day trip! We have stayed at hotels in San Luis Obispo and our favorites are Madonna Inn ( also a favorite place to eat!!) and the Kinney SLO.

Hope this article helps on your next trip to Morro Bay and the Central Coast at least in terms of the important stuff…what to do and where to eat haha. Its a favorite place of ours and will always hold a special place in our hearts! Head to my Instagram to see all my stories from the times in Morro Bay. I have more Videos & Photos from everything we have done there.

If you have more questions on anything please leave them in the comments below. Until next time..

Xo, Amanda

Charleston Photoshoot

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It’s been just about a year since we went to Charleston, South Carolina and I’m still obsessing over the photos we had done! Which reminds me… I never shared them for inspiration! Maybe one day I’ll get better and get my blog posts up right away once we get them! Until then.. here are the photos we took with links to what we are wearing, or similar looks if they are sold out that I loved as well.

This Charleston couples photoshoot was a super last minute booking, in fact the whole trip was! So, I was so excited that Rebecca was able to get us in the day we landed (before we ate our way around every restaurant in Charleston. LOL!) The best part of having photos done while on vacation is the photographer will bring you to parts of the city you may not have otherwise seen. In my opinion, you have one of the best souvenirs that you will have for a lifetime, to look back on, and in this case it worked for our Christmas cards too!

How did I find Rebecca to shoot our photos? Hashtags! Just lookup wherever you are going and photographers. So in this case I looked up #CharlestonPhotographer and there she was! Look through all the hashtags and see who has your style and fit is and basically just slide in their DM’s to contact them! In this case Rebecca was perfect. Her photos were light, airy, and really highlighted all of the downtown Charleston charm and beautiful homes. She was exactly what I was looking for to create these lifestyle images in this photo session.

Now that I had found our photographer I had to pick outfits. We had booked this trip just 2 weeks before we went, so I didn’t have all the time in the world. I first found an adorable blue floral dress on ShopLovestitch.com that I knew would standout against all the gorgeous colors of Charleston and found Scotty a blue linen shirt that matched perfectly. Of course for another look I needed something pink because its just on brand for me haha.. I had a hard time finding anything that would come on time if ordered online, so I looked in my closet. I found a pink long dress that I had gotten from Revolve and hadn’t actually worn yet. It was perfect! Next, I needed to find something for Scotty. I wanted him to have a little more formal for this but also layers. So I grabbed a pink button down with a print at our local Banana Republic and a blue jacket in his closet. The 2 outfits we wore complimented each other so well. The whole shoot went so nice and it was once again great to use for our yearly Christmas card, but also for any photo collages we may want to frame in our home.

Last tip I have for you… On this shoot Scotty wore the same pants and shoes in both outfits. His two looks were completely different and you wouldn’t really focus on that but it made it so much easier for changing outfits! Let’s be real, husbands and kids don’t love taking these photos, they just do it for us. So its important to make things easier for them when you can being they don't enjoy it. So something like using the same bottom half of outfits really helps! Also mentioning its a gift or in this case my "souvenir" from our trip!

Here are more from our Charleston Photoshoot:

Shop Pink Dress Inspo

Shop Blue Dress Inspo

To book your own appointment with our Charleston Photographer Rebecca click -here-. She is also an amazing wedding and engagement photographer if you are looking!!

Pitcher of Pina Colada’s

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Summer may be nearing an end but this pitcher of pina coladas is still tasty all year long! The perfect drink to serve with your next lunch or to have when relaxing and enjoying the pool! I’m a big fan of having fresh pineapple and coconut milk in the mix making it a little healthier version of for your fun cocktail! Cheers to a great drink to enjoy with friends and family!

Ingredients:

2 cups rum

1 cup pineapple juice

1 can coconut milk

1/4 cup lime juice

1/4 cup honey

4 cups frozen pineapple

3 cups ice

Directions:

  1. Add all ingredients into blender and blend!

  2. Pour into pitcher and serve!

  3. Enjoy!!

Fruit & Goat Cheese Bruschetta

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In the middle of a hot Summer and the hottest days of all call for the most delicious treats to make it through! I’m a huge fan of bruschetta, so making this twist on it as a fruity version just seemed so delicious and fit for Summer. You can totally change this up in the fruit department to whatever fruit sounds yummy to you along with whatever is best in season! I did strawberries, cherries and raspberries this time, and it was oh so delicious!

Now.. how do you BBQ these little slices of baguette’s? I just found out the way to not burn my 360 cookware griddle on the grill is to put a coat of dish soap on the bottom and MY GOODNESS its genius! The Pan Cleaned so easy! Cannot wait to work on even more recipes for the grill with my favorite 360 pans!

Ingredients:

8 oz cut strawberries

6 oz cut cherries

6 oz raspberries

8 oz whipped cream cheese

8 oz goat cheese

1 lime

1 baguette

honey

salt & pepper

Directions:

  1. Wash & cut all fruits and mix into bowl.

  2. Zest 1 lime making 1 tsp of lime zest and add into small bowl with 1 tbsp of sugar. Pour over fruit mix & juice of 1 lime and mix together.

  3. Mix whipped cream cheese & goat cheese. sprinkle over with sea salt & pepper to taste. Drizzle with honey and set aside until bread is ready.

  4. Slice baguette and spray with olive oil spray.

  5. Take your 360 griddle and apply dish soap on bottom to prevent from burning pan.

  6. Now on your BBQ take the griddle and place bread on top until lightly toasted (or to liking). Flip and do the same to other side.

  7. You can serve with everything separate and allow everyone to make their own. Or prep ahead of time. Baguette, cheese mixture, fruit. You can also top with more honey & more lime zest if desired.

Delicious and Easy Oven Baked Drumsticks Recipe

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Oven Baked Drumsticks are a delicious and easy meal to make for a weeknight dinner. Whether you're looking for a quick and easy meal or a tasty and satisfying dish, these oven-baked drumsticks are sure to hit the spot. They're juicy and flavorful, without being too heavy, and they can be cooked in a fraction of the time it takes to prepare a more complicated meal. Plus, you can customize them to your tastes with the addition of spices and sauces. Read on to learn how to make these tasty and simple oven-baked chicken drumsticks recipe!

This is such a simple and delicious recipe that I make very often. It’s great for Summer dinners accompanied with side dishes like; fresh fruit, cauliflower, veggies and broccoli rice or in the Winter with cornbread and baked beans. It’s a fan favorite and the perfect dish for a crowd as well as something you can whip up quickly when you aren’t sure what to make.

Ingredients

6 Drumsticks

1/2 teaspoon salt

1/2 teaspoon black pepper

2 teaspoon garlic powder

1 teaspoon onion powder

1/2 teaspoon smoked paprika

olive oil spray

1/4 cup coconut amino

2 tablespoons. honey

Instructions

  1. Preheat oven to 425 degrees

  2. Spray olive oil on drumsticks and coat.

  3. Put all additional ingredients in a bowl with drumsticks and mix to coat over all drumsticks.

  4. Place bowl in the fridge and marinate for at least 1-2 but can go longer too! Halfway through marinating toss to coat drumsticks again.

  5. Once ready bake for 45 min on 360 cookware jelly roll pan or any pan you have to lay chicken drumsticks on a single layer. (I will link below) I like to place foil or parchment paper under for easy cleanup. Halfway through cooking flip the drumsticks over.

  6. Remove from oven, serve with your favorite side dishes and enjoy!

  7. For storage place in an airtight container for up to 5 days.

You can shop all the pans I used to make this dish at 360cookware and use code AMANDA20 for a total of 20% off your entire order!!

2 qt pot for rice tap -here-

Bake & Roast Pan for Chicken tap -here-

Other Chicken Dinner Recipes you will Love:

Salsa Verde Chicken Enchiladas

Slow Cooker Orange Chicken

Whole 30 Chicken Piccata

Creating the Perfect Father's Day Picnic with Table Decor Ideas

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Father's Day is a special day to celebrate those special men in our lives who do so much for us. Whether you are planning an outdoor picnic or an indoor gathering, adding a special touch to the table decor can make the day even more special. A backyard Father's Day picnic with table decor can transform that space into a colorful and festive setting. From homemade centerpieces to creative tableware, there are many ways to show Dad how much he is appreciated. Read on to find out how to create a unique Father's Day picnic and table decor, and make your dad feel extra special this year.

I was so excited for this Father’s Day tablescape that I couldn’t wait and decided to prepare it extra early. Little did I know this would be my last tablescape in our California home before our big sudden move to Texas!! It was such a fun and memorable day I got to spend with my mom and step-dad decorating and shooting photos :) Now.. onto the table theme!

Father's Day is always a challenging table for me to decorate because I always have that soft, girly need in me to add pink to every table. I still did here, but made it more manly with the picnic theme. My color scheme for this table setting was very light and incorporated a garden vibe. I wanted it to be manly enough but still be something the moms would enjoy and appreciate as well, being one of our last celebrations together. I added lots of blues, whites and styled garden flower centerpieces from my sweet friend Julie at Emerald’s Grace. She’s always crushed every idea I have ever thrown her way! Loved the layered prints from the tablecloth and plates with the added galvanized chargers and touches. I picked the galvanized chargers because I saw the taco holders and it really pulled it together for the table. I already had the drink bucket from Pottery Barn from our wedding registry and love how it gives an outdoor rustic design and blended well with the Father's Day tablecloth and printed dishes. I also used my favorite silverware from Liberty Table Top and 360 Cookware to keep the silver that went well with the galvanized feel.

When it comes to decorating the table for a Father's Day picnic, one of the most timeless and elegant options is to use fresh flowers. I can always count on Emerald Grace to put together the most stunning centerpiece for every table I put together. Whether you are looking for roses, daisies, lilies, or any other type of flower, you can find them here. Whether you want to add a touch of color to your picnic table, or you just want to show your Dad how much he means to you with a special bouquet, you will find what you need at Emerald Grace. Plus, you can also find helpful advice from their team of terrific florists who can help you create the perfect look for your picnic table, holiday or hosting events. For more on flowers click here >> Emerald Grace

Once we finished setting up the perfect Father's Day picnic with our table decor ideas, it was time to take care of the food. We decided to go for some Mexican food to really make this picnic special with my step-dad's favorite food spread! We called up our favorite local restaurant, Tacos San Marcos, and ordered a huge buffet with tacos, quesadillas, burritos, and all the fixings. Everyone was delighted with the delicious food and we all enjoyed it immensely! For those looking to recreate the same experience in the area of our hometown of Tulare, CA Tacos San Marcos is a great place to pick up a quick dinner or cater your next event. For more information on Tacos San Marcos, just click the link provided! For more on tacos click here >> Taco San Marcos

Other Special Themes for a Father's Day Table

Father's Day is a special time to show Dad just how much he means to you. One of the best ways to make Dad feel loved and appreciated is to set an amazing table to honor him on his special day. With a few simple decorations, you can create a festive and meaningful table that will make Dad feel the love.

Here are a few other ideas you could use this Father's Day. Start by creating a nostalgic theme by displaying vintage family photos throughout the years. Adorn the table with a beautiful bouquet of Dad’s favorite flowers. Use fun and unique place settings to show Dad your appreciation. Create a centerpiece featuring Dad’s favorite hobbies or interests, and choose a bold color palette to give the table a festive feel.

Add a few personalized touches to make the table even more special. Incorporate a few of Dad’s favorite treats to make the table even more festive. Include a few vintage items to bring a retro vibe to the table. Use a few handmade decorations to show Dad you care. And don’t forget to incorporate a few meaningful mementos to honor Dad’s special day.

With a few simple decorations, you can create a festive and meaningful Father’s Day table that will make Dad feel extra special and appreciated. Show Dad how much he means to you with an amazing Father's Day picnic & table decor that celebrates all his favorite things.

Other Tablescapes For Inspiration:

Creating a Beautiful & Memorable Mother’s Day Table & Celebration with Evite

Creating the Perfect Summer Tablescape

Creating the Perfect Summer Tablescape

My Spring Tablescape

Mom's 60th Birthday Party

Bringing the Joy of Easter to Your Table: Creative Ideas for Easter Spring Table Decor

Taste the Deliciousness of Pistachio Cake: A Treat for Any Occasion

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Every June for quite a few years now I have been making this Pistachio Birthday Cake for My husband Scotty. My idea for this cake all started with his love for pistachio ice cream. It is his go-to ice cream when out at an ice cream shop. So, being that he seemingly never could think of a favorite cake for himself, I thought one year I’d go ahead and make a Pistachio Cake along with pistachio ice cream, and it's been our tradition ever since! Let me know in the comments below if I should share the ice cream recipe too! I hope you enjoy this just as much as the birthday boy himself!

Pistachio cake is a delicious dessert that is perfect for special occasions like birthdays or holidays. It is made from scratch with just a few simple ingredients, making it easy to make without too many complicated steps. The result is a moist and flavorful cake with a crunchy nutty topping that everyone will love! Plus, it’s a great way to use up leftover pistachios. The base is a simple cake batter with pistachios mixed in. For the topping, you have a combination of butter, mascarpone, powdered sugar, and sprinkled nuts on top to create a crunchy texture.

The final product is a moist and flavorful cake with a crunchy nutty topping. It’s perfect for special occasions and makes a great gift for family and friends. Everyone will love the sweet and nutty flavor of this cake. So if you’re looking for a delicious dessert that is easy to make and sure to please, you must make this pistachio cake. With just a few simple ingredients and no complicated steps, you can make a sweet treat that everyone will love!

How to Enhance the Pistachio Flavor Into Cake

Pistachio cake is a delicious dessert that is perfect for any special occasion. The nutty flavor of pistachios pairs perfectly with moist cake and creamy frosting. I incorporate some lightly-crushed pistachios into the cake batter as well as further enhance the flavor of the cake by adding a few teaspoons of almond extract. To get the most intense pistachio flavor, you can use real pistachio paste or extract in your cake batter. For a toasty twist on the flavor, toast the nuts before adding them to the cake batter as well.

Key Ingredients

This cake is made with all-purpose flour, eggs, butter, sugar, baking powder, salt, vanilla extract, milk, pistachios, and cream cheese. The all-purpose flour provides the cake with a light, airy texture and structure. The eggs act as a binding agent and help keep the cake moist. Butter adds flavor and richness to the cake while the sugar helps to sweeten it and create a tender crumb. Baking powder helps the cake to rise and gives it a nice texture, while salt enhances the flavor of the cake. The addition of vanilla extract adds a nice flavor to the cake, while the milk helps to keep it moist. With these ingredients, you're sure to have a delicious Pistachio Cake that will be a hit with everyone!

Decorating Inspiration

Pistachio Cake is a delicious dessert that is perfect for any occasion. Adding crushed nuts and fresh berries to the top of the cake is an easy way to add a colorful layer of flavor. For an extra special touch, consider drizzling a rich chocolate sauce over the top of the cake. This simple step adds a decadent finish that will have your guests coming back for seconds.

Pistachio Cake is a truly unique dessert that combines the nutty flavor of pistachios with the sweet and fluffy texture of a traditional cake. This delicious cake is made with crushed pistachios in the batter, giving it an extra crunchy and nutty texture. The crushed pistachios are also used as a topping, giving the cake a beautiful decorative element and an extra layer of flavor. Pistachio Cake has a delicate, creamy flavor that pairs well with a variety of other flavors, such as chocolate, strawberries, and caramel.

The unique flavor of pistachio makes it a great choice for special occasions, such as birthdays or anniversaries. Whether you’re looking for a unique and delicious cake for a special occasion or just want to try something new, Pistachio Cake is sure to be a hit. Its unique flavor and texture make it a great choice for any event or party. So if you’re looking to impress your guests, Pistachio Cake is the perfect dessert to make.

Does Pistachio Cake Need to Be Refrigerated?

Pistachio Cake is the perfect dessert for those days when you want to enjoy something sweet but don't want to worry about it spoiling. This delicate cake has a light and moist texture that can easily be kept at room temperature, so you don't have to worry about refrigerating it. However, the frosting does need to be refrigerated. If you want to use this recipe to make a pistachio bundt cake without frosting you can leave it out at room temperature. If you are making it as a cake with this delicious frosting then you will need to keep it in the fridge after serving due to the mascarpone in the frosting. It can stay at room temp for a few hours, just not overnight. The ease of keeping Pistachio Cake at room temperature makes it a great choice for picnics and outdoor events. You can easily transport the cake and enjoy it without worrying about it spoiling. So the next time you are looking for a delicious dessert to take to a gathering, Pistachio Cake should definitely be on the menu.

An Easy Pistachio Cake Recipe

Recipe feeds 20-24

Ingredients

2 cups shelled pistachios

2 3/4 cups cake flour

2 teaspoons baking powder

1 teaspoon sea salt

1 cup salted butter

3/4 cup granulated sugar

1 large egg

2 teaspoons pure vanilla extract

1 teaspoon almond extract

1 cup whole milk

1/2 cup sour cream

3 large eggs white

Icing

1 cup salted butter

1 teaspoon vanilla extract

1 teaspoon almond extract

5 cups powdered sugar

8 oz mascarpone

Chopped Pistachios for decorating top

Instructions

  1. Prep by oiling 3 circle pans (8 or 9 inch - my favorite are the 360 cookware with handles I will link below) and preheat oven to 350 degrees.

  2. Finely grind 1-1/2 cups pistachios in a food processor. Chop the remaining 1/2 cup for decorating cake

  3. Beat butter until creamy. Add in sugar, vanilla & almond extract, and eggs until combined

  4. Next, whisk together finely ground pistachios, flour, baking powder and sea salt.

  5. Alternate adding in dry ingredients & Milk/sour cream until all blended.

  6. In another dry bowl you will beat 3 egg whites until stiff peaks show. Fold this into the batter mixture

  7. Once combined pour into baking dish. I use 3 pans that are oiled and put into oven. 20-30 min or until a toothpick put into center comes out clean. For a taller cake like in my photos you can double this recipe making 6 layers (which will also feed more!)

  8. Blend together all frosting ingredients until incorporated. (butter should be room temp if not heat in microwave for 30 sec at a time). If doubling the cake recipe for a taller cake be sure to double the recipe for frosting.

  9. Once cake is done baking let cool in pan for 15 mins and transfer to wire rack for another 15.

  10. Ice layers of cake and do a thin layer around for a “crumb layer” that will catch all the crumbs and make a base for the final layer. Place in fridge for 30 mins and then do another final layer. Smooth, textured, whatever you desire! Add the remaining pistachios to decorate!

  11. Enjoy!

Pistachio cake is the perfect way to end a special occasion and show your guests your baking talents. Its unique flavor and texture make it an ideal choice for birthdays, weddings, and other special occasions. Pistachio cake is also incredibly easy to make and can be customized with different toppings to suit any particular occasion. The nutty flavor of pistachios makes it a great way to end an evening with friends and family. Whether you’re looking for an elegant dessert to serve on a special day or just want to add a little extra something to your next gathering, pistachio cake is sure to be a hit. Its unique flavor and texture make it a great way to show your guests that you care. The nutty flavor of pistachios is sure to add a little bit of extra flair to your next gathering. Best of all, it’s easy to make and can be customized with different toppings to make it unique and special.

Other Recipes For Your Sweet Tooth:

My Favorite White Cake Recipe

Indulge in Deliciousness: Cherry Chip Cake with Chunks of Dark Chocolate Recipe

The Most Delicious Pumpkin Coffee Cake

Tantalizingly Delicious Recipe For Lemon Cheesecake With An Amazing Glaze

Blackberry Cinnamon Rolls with Mascarpone Frosting

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There is nothing I love more on a Sunday morning then hot cinnamon rolls with some fresh brewed coffee! I am always trying to create new recipes with varieties of flavors to make it unique! For this recipe I used my tried and true cinnamon roll recipe but added a small twist of blackberry ( which is delicious even by itself) filling and a marscapone frosting that is OUT OF THIS WORLD!

A couple of tips when using this recipe:

1. You can make them overnight or same day. You will bake less same day because they won’t be cold. Check on them around 25 mins and every 5 mins after.

2. These may be softer then other cinnamon rolls you make when curing and rolling dough. Don’t be worried, this is normal!

3. Don’t worry if you eat more than one.. they are addicting 😉

Ingredients:

Dough

  • 3 cups lukewarm water

  • 2 tbsp instant yeast

  • 2 tbsp sugar

  • 1 cup sugar

  • 1/2 cup butter

  • 1 egg

  • 1 tsp salt

  • 8 cups flour (may need more)

Filling

  • 1 cup melted butter

  • 1 cup blackberries

  • 1/2 cup sugar

  • 1 tsp vanilla

Icing

  • 8 oz marscapone

  • 1/2 cup butter

  • 4 cups powdered sugar

  • 4 tbsp milk

  • 2 tsp vanilla

Directions:

  1. Mix luke warm water, yeast and 2 tbsp of sugar. Let sit for around 10 minutes to make sure yeast is good. You will notice the yeast growing in size.

  2. Once you see yeast grow add in sugar, butter (softened for 15-20 sec in microwave) egg, salt.

  3. Slowly add in flour, once you have added in all 6 cups make sure the dough is slightly sticky and looking like dough. Once you see this, mix for another few minutes. It will start to pull away from the bowl, and If you don’t see this add in more flour until you do.

  4. Sift flour over a clean counter top. Make sure to flour the area outside of where dough is. You will be rolling it out here and you don’t want it to stick later.

  5. Once you have tipped the bowl over and poured out the dough lightly flour the top and cover with a clean kitchen towel.

  6. Let rise for 3 hours.

  7. Once you are about ready to roll dough, melt butter in bowl. Add butter and rest of filling ingredients to blender and milk until it looks like a smoothie.

  8. When dough is ready roll out to about 1/4 inch thick rectangular form.

  9. Pour over the filling mix and evenly spread over the dough.

  10. Next roll dough up for cinnamon rolls! My dough recipe is a little softer than some you may have tried in the past, so if you feel its so soft don’t worry, its going to be delicious!

  11. Cut about 2 inch apart and place on pan. They will grow in size so pay attention to spacing.

  12. Wrap top with saran wrap and put in fridge overnight. Next morning take out and let sit at room temp for 1 hour.

  13. Bake at 350. Put cinnamon rolls in as the oven is heating to help pan and rolls adjust to the heat from the fridge (1 hour room temperature they will still be cool to touch)

  14. Bake an additional 45 min. Check at 25 min if tops are a golden brown layer foil for rest of cooking!

  15. Once cooked to your liking pour frosting on rolls and enjoy!

Frosting:

  1. Mix mascarpone and butter until smooth. (if not at room temp warm for 30 seconds in microwave before)

  2. Add powdered sugar, milk, and vanilla until smooth.

Refreshing Lemon Twist Cocktail

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If you’re looking for a refreshing cocktail and the perfect drink to sip on all those hot Summer days.. look no further! This is my take on the lemon cocktails I was enjoying all over Broadway St. on our Nashville trip! It’s super easy to make for a group by starting with mixing the first 3 ingredients and then topping with your favorite sparkling wine or champagne! This will forever me by goto! Can’t wait to see what you all think! Cheer’s Friends!

2 oz lemon juice

2 oz limoncello

2 oz ginger beer

champagne

  1. Grab your favorite glasses and fill with ice

  2. Pour in fresh squeezed lemon juice, limoncello, ginger beer and stir with spoon.

  3. Pour over champagne to fill glass.

  4. Top with lemon slices and Enjoy!

My Spring Tablescape

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Looking for some fun Spring themed inspiration for your table decor? I totally have you covered! This table is adorable for any event you may have coming up to host like Easter, Mothers Day, bridal showers, Bdays, or a simple Brunch. You name it.. this table will fit perfectly! To tell you all the truth, this may be my favorite table scape I have ever done! I love the gingham tablecloth, touches of green, and don’t even get me started on the gorgeous flowers!!

Julie from Emerald Grace is my go to flower girl in California and did these for me, and I couldn’t love them more! I send her my inspo and she always executes it perfectly! I wanted them to be a play on garden flowers coming out of the cutest flower pots I had ordered from White Flower Farm. For more of Julie’s work or to book her for your next event click -here-.

Let’s talk tablecloth.. My idea was to have a square gingham tablecloth in a diamond shape on my long white table. However, I couldn’t find it in pink square but good old Target had an amazing deal on a long one. To get the cloth perfect, I actually ordered a sewing machine and asked my Mom to come over to help me learn how use it, and we made it into the square I wanted! I will link table cloth in all sizes below because the deal is so good!

Plates are from Zara Home and are just darling and are at a price point that is amazing! Plates linked -here-.

Napkins are ones I made myself from a past Thanksgiving table and have probably been the most used napkin of all time. For more info on those head over to this blog post -here-.

Flatware I used for this table is dainty, will stand the test of time and is made right here in the USA. I will link those right -here- for you. If you do purchase anything off of 360 I have a 20% off discount for the entire site including flatware! Use code AMANDA20

Everything else I used is linked below. I hope this table brings you inspiration for your next event. Thank you for stopping by.

Xo, Amanda

Shaved Brussel Sprout Salad with Apples, Goat Cheese & Candied Pecans

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The weather is warming up and with it those big, heavy, filling cold weather dishes may be slowly transitioning into !ighter and healthier colorful plates. This delicious salad is one of my favorites to enjoy anytime of year but especially in the Spring and Summer. I love to pair it with salmon or have it as a nice side dish for those Summer cookouts that are sure to come! This recipe will provide you with everything you need to make the dressing from scratch and to add in the candied pecans that are so addicting on any meal!

Ingredients:

10 -12 cups shaved Brussel sprouts

1/2 cup fresh strawberries

1/4 balsamic vinegar

1/4 raw honey

1/2 cup olive oil

1/4 tsp salt

1/4 tsp pepper

1 large apple ( I like the pink lady)

4 oz crumbled goat cheese

2 cups pecans

1/4 cup maple syrup

2 tbsp brown sugar

Directions:

  1. Make Candied Pecans so they can cool while you prepare rest of salad.

    1. line baking sheet, I use my Jelly Roll Pan from 360 cookware -here-, with parchment paper and set aside.

    2. In a pan, I use my 360 cookware 1 quart sauce pan -here-, melt together maple syrup and brown sugar until mixed and bubbling.

    3. Add in pecans and coat. Pour onto prepared baking sheet and separate nuts so they don’t stick together. Let cool.

  2. Make delicious strawberry balsamic salad dressing!

    1. Add strawberries, balsamic vinegar, raw honey, cup olive oil, tsp salt, tsp pepper into blender and blend until smooth.

    2. Place in bowl or dressing dish and set aside for later.

  3. Shave brussel sprouts. (You can always buy pre shaved however they are always a little thicker and I prefer the shavings small to taste more like a salad and less like brussel’s) To shave them I use my Mandoline slicer on 1/8th. If I am not wanting to slice it, I just buy extra bags of pre sliced and pull out all the thick chunks and use for a side of brussels later in the week.

  4. Assemble the salad. I like to put in half of the apples, half the goat cheese and half of the candied pecans add dressing and toss. Once I plate the salad I add a little of each item on the top so you can see the full color and toppings!

  5. Enjoy!

All the 360 cookware products I used in making this salad and the beautiful flatware are linked below. For a 20% discount use code AMANDA20. Works off the entire site!