Over The Top Mommy

Food

Celebrate International Frozen Yogurt Day on 2/6 With Free Froyo at Yogurtland

Calling all froyo lovers! Come join the global celebration of International Frozen Yogurt Day at Yogurtland on Monday, February 6, 2017! Yogurtland lovers are invited to visit their favorite location and enjoy free frozen yogurt and toppings, in limited time only cup, from 4pm – 7pm at all participating locations in the United States, Australia, Dubai, Singapore, Thailand, and Venezuela. froyoEach guest will also receive a limited edition Hershey’s® collectible spoon for joining Yogurtland in its tasty mission to celebrate peace, love and frozen yogurt.yogurtland-chocolate To help sweeten a delicious day, Yogurtland will feature a new Peanut Butter Cup frozen yogurt flavor made with Reese’s® and Hershey’s® ingredients, and the popular Chocolate Milkshake made with Hershey® flavor, also made with real, creamy California Milk. These two chocolatey flavors will continue to be served at Yogurtland locations throughout the month of February.

Be sure to stop by one of Yogurtland’s 320 locations across the U.S., Australia, Dubai, Singapore, Thailand and Venezuela on International Frozen Yogurt Day for your own cup of FREE Froyo! For more information, visit http://www.yogurt-land.com.

This is not a sponsored post. Some images and logo are property of Yogurtland. All opinions are 100% my own. 

Islands Holiday Gift Card Offer: Perfect for the Last Minute

Calling all last minute gift buyers….if you’re still looking for holiday gift ideas that you can just grab and go, Islands has a great holiday gift card offer going on right now! islands-gift-card-offerFor every $25 you purchase in gift cards, you’ll receive a $5 Bonus card for you to use during the month of January. It’s a win-win situation and everyone loves Islands! My favorite part of giving a gift card, aside from the fact that they don’t require wrapping, is that they don’t have a date on them so no one will ever know that you waited until the last minute to buy it!islands-locations For more info about Islands gift cards, stop by the location nearest you to grab one in person or send an e-gift card by visiting here.sunday-happy-hourAlso going on right now at Islands, through the end of NFL season, is “NFL Happy Hour” happening each week!islands-happy-hour-mai-tai With a full bar of delicious, refreshing libations and a scrumptious menu featuring the most mouth watering appetizers, the bar at Islands is the place to be these days during NFL games. They have special pricing on drinks and appetizers and there are big screens all around to catch the game from every angle! islands-buffalo-wingsIslands “NFL Happy Hour: is available only in the bar area on NFL game days, Mondays and Thursdays from 4pm-Close and all day Sunday. During Islands NFL Happy Hour, look for bartender-call-it drink specials and trivia games at each location with chances to win gift cards and Islands swag! islands-artichoke-dipSo, do you have anyone left to buy for this holiday? Spread the Mahalo spirit and take advantage of Islands great gift card offer this season!

 

Holiday Peppermint Bark Recipe

This shop has been compensated by Collective Bias, Inc. and its advertiser. All opinions are mine alone. #ad #MakeHeartburnHistory #CollectiveBias

The holidays are the best! I love everything about this time of year! The decorations, the shopping for gifts, the festive music, and all of the opportunities to celebrate with family. Our family celebrations always revolve around food. That’s normal, right?holiday-peppermint-bark-for-santaSpending time in the kitchen with my daughter and getting to cook and bake with her this time of year is so special and one of the activities we love doing together most. What I don’t love about this time of year is my “holiday heartburn”! It literally tries to ruin my time! Heartburn is the worst!holiday-bonding-timeI didn’t always suffer from heartburn but now whenever it flares up, I’m extra sensitive to many of my favorite foods and have to miss out. Well,  I am NOT going to let heartburn ruin my holidays this year!Thank goodness I discovered Nexium® 24HR Capsules 42ct at Walgreens near the antacids! It’s just one pill a day and it gives me all-day and all-night protection. nexium-at-walgreensIt’s such a great way to treat frequent heartburn and gives me the confidence and comfort to enjoy all of the festive holiday foods, especially my most favorite: peppermint. I could eat peppermint everything! I think peppermint should be its own food group! I even stock up on peppermint goodies this time of year so I have enough to last me once winter is long gone.holiday-peppermint-bark-mmmOne of the recipes I always make during the holidays is Holiday Peppermint Bark. It’s so simple to make and I get asked for the recipe quite frequently by other family members. The recipe only has a few ingredients and doesn’t take very much time to prepare. all-things-peppermintHoliday Peppermint Bark is also perfect for gift giving. Who doesn’t love to receive homemade goods at the holidays? It’s also something special you can leave out for Santa when he visits your home on Christmas Eve. This year I’m going to leave out some Holiday Peppermint Bark for Santa, along with some Nexium® 24HR. I know he’ll appreciate this too! for-santa

holiday-peppermint-bark-recipeIngredients:

  • 24 oz. White Chocolate Baking Chips (usually 2 bags)
  • 24 oz. Dark Chocolate Baking Chips (usually 2 bags)
  • 1/2 teaspoon Peppermint Extract
  • 12 large or 24 small candy canes, crushed
  • Vegetable oil

Preparation:

  1. Remove wrappers from candy canes, place in a sealable sandwich bag, and crush up to your liking. (Some people prefer to use a food processor but I like my pieces larger.) Set aside.
  2. Line a baking sheet or pan with parchment or wax paper.
  3. Place Dark Chocolate Baking Chips in a microwave safe bowl to melt them in.  Heat for 1 minute, remove, and stir. Put back in for 30 seconds, remove and stir again. At this point, you should add in a little bit of vegetable oil, which will help it stir easier. If it’s still not completely smooth, try microwaving it for about 10 more seconds. *Do not overheat the chocolate.
  4. Pour melted dark chocolate into pan and level it out.
  5. Stick into the refrigerator for 20-25 minutes to firm up. Remove from refrigerator and set aside.
  6. Repeat same steps for microwaving but with the white chocolate baking chips now. Once it’s melted and you can stir it easily, add the peppermint extract.
  7. Pour melted white chocolate into pan, on top of dark chocolate layer, and level with a spatula.
  8. Immediately sprinkle the crushed candy canes on top to your liking.
  9. Place back into the fridge.
  10. Remove and allow to get to room temperature before cracking the bark to serve or package up for gifts.holiday-peppermint-bark-cut

*May take 1 to 4 days for full effect. Use as directed

Thanksgiving Cornucopia Salad Recipe

This is a sponsored post written by me for Evite. All opinions are 100%  my own. #PasstheGiving

To celebrate Thanksgiving this year, I teamed up with Evite® and 7 other influencers to compile a special #Passthegiving Holiday Planning guide to help inspire fun, new twists on old traditions. Check out our Table of Traditions here to refresh your holiday celebrations. You can also download the holiday planning guide which has lots of creative ideas you can use for your own celebration! How amazing did our “Friendsgiving” table turn out? (Keep reading to find out which contribution in the photo was MINE!)evite-tableI’m always excited for the arrival of Fall because it means the holidays are on their way. Once Halloween is over, we can fast forward to Thanksgiving. It’s one of my favorite times of the year to gather with family and friends, enjoy great food, and enjoy each other’s company.memories-of-my-childhood-thanksgivingsWhen I think back about the Thanksgivings of my childhood, I remember my grandmother preparing the entire meal and our families all coming together to spend a day together. I don’t know how she pulled it all off all at once and served it hot! (My grandmother had this thing about her food being hot.) I’ve attempted to cook an entire Thanksgiving meal a couple of times and found it rather challenging.whats-your-favorite-way-to-celebrate-the-dayMy most favorite way to gather together and celebrate is by asking each family member or friend in attendance, to bring something table to share. Traditionally, our mothers taught us never to show up empty handed to someone else’s home, but that meant you should bring a plant, some flowers, or even a bottle of wine. I request each guest to prepare a dish to share that’s special to them. I like to use an Evite to keep track of who is coming and what they’re bringing. Have you seen their adorable collection of Thanksgiving invitations? It’s such a quick, easy way to send out invites with no postage required.  For the past few years, it’s been a real success and I love the variety of recipes that end up on our table.evite-friendsgiving

My grandmother used to make a salad to include as part of our Thanksgiving meal. Although her salad was a childhood favorite of mine, it was basically iceberg lettuce with carrots, tomatoes, and croutons and was topped with Thousand Island dressing. I don’t know many people who would choose to eat that nowadays. Does Thousand Island dressing even exist anymore?a-new-twist-on-an-old-traditionI do love to include a salad in our own Thanksgiving meal but my “go-to” salad is the “Cornucopia Salad“. It’s kind of a like a new twist on an old tradition. My salad combines baby lettuce, green apples, dried cranberries, mandarin oranges, feta cheese crumbles, and candied almonds and the combination of the flavors is so delicious. I toss it in a light olive oil-based dressing.bountiful-harvest-salad-add-insCornucopia Salad is something I prepare several times a year because it just pairs really well with pretty much everything. It’s nice to have something that’s so simple to throw together. yet always seems to be a favorite among all of your guests. I’ve even prepared it for the days after Thanksgiving and thrown leftover turkey into it.cornucopia-salad-finished

cornucopia-saladIngredients for salad 

  • 6 cups lettuce of your choice, washed. Tip: Used bagged lettuce to save time. 
  • 1 large Granny Smith apple, chopped
  • 1 11 ounce can mandarin oranges, drained (I use 2 cans.)
  • 1/4 cup dried cranberries
  • 1/2 cup raw almonds, sliced
  • 1/2 cup Feta cheese crumbles (blue cheese also works with this recipe)
  • 1 tablespoon parsley, finely chopped
  • 3 tablespoons sugar
  • the juice from 1 lemoningredients for the candied almonds #EasyAsPotPie #ad

Ingredients for dressing

  • 2 tablespoons sugar
  • 2 tbsp white wine vinegar
  • 1 tablespoon chopped parsley
  • 1/2 teaspoon salt
  • 1/2 teaspoon pepper
  • 1/4 cup olive oil

instructionsCandied Almond Preparation
Preparing the almonds is something that can be done ahead of time, like the day before. It is a little bit time consuming but well worth it because the candied almonds add such an amazing flavor to your salad. You’ll find it very “necessary” to sample a bunch of the candied almonds after they’ve cooled down.ingredients for the candied almonds #EasyAsPotPie #ad

  • In a large saucepan, combine the sugar and almonds and put over medium heat.
  • Continue to stir the mixture every couple of minutes until the sugar starts to melt.
  • Once this happens, continue stirring evenly to sugar coat all of the almonds evenly and then transfer from the pan to some foil, allowing the almonds to cool down and solidify a little bit.

Dressing Preparation
The dressing can also be made ahead of time, but no more than the night before.

  • Whisk together salt, pepper, sugar, and olive oil in a small bowl.
  • Finely chop up parsley and add to the mixture.
  • Set dressing aside and shake well before tossing onto Cornucopia Salad.bountiful-harvest-salad-dressing

Salad Preparation

  • Add lettuce to salad bowl.
  • Cut and core apple and either cut into large apple slices or dice it up. Next, add to salad bowl. If you don’t plan on serving right away, squeeze lemon juice onto apple to prevent browning.
  • Drain mandarin oranges and add to salad.
  • Add dried cranberries, feta cheese crumbles, and candied almonds to the bowl and mix everything together.
  • Set salad aside until you’re ready to toss with dressing and serve.

cornucopia-side-viewDo you have any special dishes that you like to prepare each year for Thanksgiving? This salad is one of the recipes I prepare that my friends and family are constantly asking for more of. Wishing you a wonderful Thanksgiving!

 

Trolls-Inspired Flavors Have Arrived at Yogurtland + Gift Card Giveaway

Calling all Yogurtland fans! Have you heard about the Yogurtland’s irresistible new Trolls- inspired flavors?  The flavors will have you singing, dancing, and smiling while you’re them! Each of the creamy flavors was inspired by the colorful characters of the new DreamWorks Animation film Trolls, which arrives in theaters November 4th. Your tastebuds will dance to each of the 10 colorful flavors are available October 20th – December 21st and you won’t want to miss out on any of these fun flavors!princess-poppy-yogurtland

  • Poppy’s White Chocolate Raspberry
  • Cooper’s Caramel Apple
  • King Peppy’s Chocolate Covered Pretzel
  • Branch’s Peanut Butter Caramel
  • Guy Diamond’s White Chocolate Peppermint
  • Creek’s Butterscotch Pudding Gelato
  • Smidge’s Cinnamon Donut Holes
  • Biggie’s Frosted Cookie
  • Satin and Chenille’s Blueberry Mangosteen Tart
  • DJ Suki’s Cranberry Raspberry Tart

To complement the flavors, Yogurtland is introducing Milk Chocolate Mini Twist Pretzels as a new topping. These twists perfectly combine sweet and savory in each crunchy bite! Mmm!princess-poppy-2Also, for a limited-time only, Yogurtland has two new collectible spoons inspired by the Trolls main characters Poppy and Branch so guests can bring home the fun from Trolls and the tasty flavor from Yogurtland. These collectible spoons are only available while supplies last so hurry in to get yours!trolls-spoonsSo, are you headed to Yogurtland right now? I would be! You can also enter my giveaway for a $20 Yogurtland giftcard. Just go to the Rafflecopter below! Good luck everyone!
a Rafflecopter giveaway

Connect with Yogurtland on Facebook, Twitter, and Instagram.trolls-posterAbout Trolls Movie
From the creators of Shrek comes DreamWorks Animation’s Trolls, a smart, funny and irreverent comedy about the search for happiness, and just how far some will go to get it. This hilarious film transports audiences to a colorful, wondrous world populated by the overly optimistic Trolls, who have a constant dance in their step and a song on their lips, and the comically pessimistic Bergens, who are only happy when they have trolls in their stomachs.

This is not a sponsored post. I was invited as a guest of Yogurtland to try out these amazing new flavors and share about my experience. All opinions are 100% my own. 

Islands Restaurant Now Open at The Shops at Mission Viejo + Giftcard Giveaway

Our family loves to dine at Islands Restaurant and when we heard a new location was now open at The Shops at Mission Viejo, we were excited because it’s literally a hop, skip, and a jump away from where we live! islands-at-the-shops-at-mission-viejo-now-openThe newly opened location is beautiful and is the 11th location in Orange County! In addition to indoor seating and a full 600 square foot bar area, the location also features an outdoor, open air, wrap-around patio for outdoor dining. Amongst the surf-inspired décor, you have a grand view of the 14 huge wall-mounted TVs, from wherever you are seated and will feel like you’re on the beaches of Hawaii as surf videos play on some of the screens. Sports fans won’t miss a play during their favorite games as they dine, with some of the other screens showing “the game” when it’s on.islands-mai-tai-1Islands offers an extensive menu with a full bar so I decided to have a fun drink to start off with. I ordered The Islands Mai Tai. Made with a marriage of two exotic rums, tropical fruit & essence of the islands, this is literally “Paradise in a Glass”! Have you checked out Islands NFL Happy Hour yet? Right now, football fans can enjoy extended happy hour from 4 p.m. to close in the bar area, and all day happy hour on Sundays. All items on the happy hour menu are under $10, including think loaded nachos, sliders, wings, featured IPAs and mai tais. Islands Restaurants will be playing NFL Redzone and NFL Sunday Ticket.

Our favorite appetizer to start with at Islands is the Spinach and Artichoke Dip. Served with fresh chips, this dip is made with chopped spinach & artichoke hearts mixed with sautéed onion & garlic in a creamy alfredo sauce and is delivered to your table piping hot and is enough for your entire family.islands-restaurant-spinach-and-artichoke-dipKids dining at Islands have quite a few choices on the “Gremmie” menu. I appreciate that they can choose from applesauce, carrots and ranch, carrots, or fries. Kids like to be able to make choices on what they’re going to eat.islands-kids-menuI tend to be a creature of habit when I visit and usually end up ordering the Chicken Club Wrap which has grilled & chilled sliced chicken breast, Applewood smoked bacon, avocado, cheddar, jack, lettuce, tomato, ranch dressing & bbq sauce and is served in a flour tortilla. It’s so delicious that it’s difficult for me to want to order anything else. Mmm, BBQ sauce! I didn’t realize they had sweet potato fries on the menu so I had to try them and they were yummy!islands-restaurants-bbq-kitchen-wrapBacon lovers dining at Islands will be happy to know Islands includes a BLT on the menu called “The Wedge“. It’s made with Applewood Bacon, cheddar, jack, lettuce, tomato & mayo, served on an Islands white or whole wheat bun. It’s also served with Fresh Cut Island Fries. Yum!islands-restaurant-the-wedge-bltAlthough we were pretty full at this point, there’s no denying dessert at Islands. It’s hard to choose between Kona Pie and the Fudge Brownie, so we splurged and ordered one of each. islands-restaurants-kona-pieIslands’ Kona Pie is made with Mocha Almond Fudge, ice cream & cookie crust topped with chocolate fudge, whipped cream, roasted nuts, and a cherry. Their Fudge Brownie is made with a rich fudge brownie served warm and topped with vanilla ice cream. islands-restaurant-fudge-brownieThey’re both perfect for sharing. Have you had either? Oh goodness, they’re both delicious and I had to stop myself from finishing them all by mysefl!Giveaway-time

You can also enter to win a $25 Islands Restaurants giftcard. Enter below on the Rafflecopter. Good luck everyone!
a Rafflecopter giveaway

Connect with Islands Restaurant on Facebook, Twitter, and Instagram.

 

This is not a sponsored post. We were invited to dine at Islands Restaurants in order to facilitate this post. All opinions are 100% my own.

 

 

New Dunkin’ Donuts Baskin Robbins Opening in Foothill Ranch October 4!

Have you heard the exciting news yet? Dunkin’ Donuts, America’s all-day, everyday stop for coffee and baked goods, and Baskin-Robbins, the world’s largest chain of ice cream specialty shops, are bringing Orange County’s first Dunkin’ Donuts and Baskin-Robbins multi-brand drive-thru restaurant to Foothill Ranch on October 4. foothillranchdunkinThe new location will open at 5 a.m. at 26722 Portola Parkway. It’ll offer a full array of both Dunkin’ Donuts’ freshly brewed coffee and delicious baked goods and Baskin-Robbins’ premium ice cream and frozen treats. It’s like a foodie’s dream come true! dunkin-donuts-coffee-cupThe Foothill Ranch Dunkin’ Donuts restaurant is also the brand’s 100th DD Green™ Achievement location which means it was designed with energy efficient and sustainable elements. A milestone originally planned for the end of 2016, Dunkin’ Donuts is ahead of schedule with integrating this program into its new restaurants nationwide. The Foothill Ranch establishment will feature specialty lighting to reduce energy use, high-efficiency mechanical units, water reduction features and more. dunkin-donuts-drive-thruThe first person in both the drive-thru and walk-in line on October 4 will earn a $250 gift card, and the first 200 people in both the lobby and drive-thru will receive a free Dunkin’ Donuts tumbler or a Baskin-Robbins campfire mug. Throughout the day, customers can collect a branded keychain by signing up for DD Perks®, Dunkin’ Donuts’ guest rewards program.dunkin-donuts-donut

Additionally, attendees will have opportunities to take photos with Dunkin’ Donuts brand mascot, Cuppy, in a photo booth on October 8. Furthermore, the local women’s roller derby team will be passing out delicious beverages as well as Baskin-Robbins ice cream cakes for guests in line on October 4 and 8. To continue the celebration throughout opening week, Dunkin’ fans will receive a free medium hot or iced coffee offer with the purchase of a dozen donuts at this new location from October 4 to 11.

The Foothill Ranch location will be operated by Precision Hospitality & Development. Precision Hospitality & Development became a franchisee in 2014 and has since opened Orange County’s first Dunkin’ Donuts restaurant located in Laguna Hills, as well as a location in Irvine. The group has plans to develop several additional Dunkin’ Donuts locations in both South Orange County and North Los Angeles in the coming years.

Dunkin’ Donuts will mark the occasion with a ceremonial ribbon cutting at 10 a.m., which will be attended by Lake Forest dignitaries. In an effort to contribute to the surrounding area and enjoy the day with community members, the franchisees will also donate $1,000 to the Boys and Girls Club of Lake Forest during a check presentation on grand opening day. The donation will further the organization’s efforts to support children’s activities in Lake Forest.

Will you be joining in on the grand opening festivities on Tuesday, October 4th? Hope to see you there bright and early! (opens at  5 a.m.)

For more information about Dunkin’ Donuts, visit http://www.DunkinDonuts.com. Connect with Dunkin’ Donuts on Facebook and Twitter. For more information about Baskin-Robbins, visit http://www.BaskinRobbins.com. Connect with Baskin-Robbins on Facebook and Twitter

This is not a sponsored post. We were invited to attend the grand opening as media guests. All opinions are 100% my own. Some images are property of Dunkin Donuts and Baskin-Robbins. 

Bountiful Harvest Salad With Cranberries and Apples + Free Fall Printable

This shop has been compensated by Collective Bias, Inc. and its advertiser. All opinions are mine alone. #BetterWithCraisins #CollectiveBias bountiful-harvest-salad-with-cranberries-and-apples

I don’t know about you but I get really excited about the arrival of Fall every year. I think a lot of people would say it’s fun to finally to break out the sweaters and boots, but when you live in Southern California, that isn’t usually the case. (It’s usually still sandals weather around here.) pumpkinsWhat I do get most excited about are the beautiful, seasonal colors all around, pumpkins appear in the stores, and the feeling that we’re on fast-forward towards the holiday season! My most favorite part about this time of year though, are the foods, I could spend all day cooking and eating my favorite fall recipes! It’s Fall, Ya’ll! (Grab this free Fall printable, here.)its-fall-yall One of my most popular recipes to make is my “Bountiful Harvest Salad” made with cranberries and apples. It’s a really light and delicious salad that combines baby lettuce, Ocean Spray® Craisins® Dried Cranberries, green apple, mandarin oranges, feta cheese crumbles, and candied almonds. Tossed in a light olive oil-based dressing, this salad goes really well with just about any meal or even just on its own. It’s also pretty simple to throw together! This salad is probably the most requested thing I get asked to bring to friends’ parties and family get togethers. find-craisins-here

I used to buy the Craisins® Dried Cranberries for my recipes from Sam’s Club but they seem to have disappeared from their shelves. Luckily, I picked up a couple of bags at Target. In addition to adding these little yummies to a salad or baking with them, they are perfect to snack on, right out of the bag. craisins-out-of-the-bagI think it’s the “zing” that make them unique. 1/4 cup of Craisins® Dried Cranberries provides 1/2 cup of fruit. bountiful-harvest-salad-made

Here’s how you can whip up your own “Bountiful Harvest Salad”!
bountiful-harvest-salad-greensIngredients for salad

  • 6 cups lettuce of your choice, washed. (I sometimes use bagged lettuce to save time.)
  • 1 large Granny Smith apple, chopped
  • 1 11 ounce can mandarin oranges, drained
  • 1/4 cup Craisins® Dried Cranberries
  • 1/2 cup raw almonds, sliced (for toasting)
  • 1/2 cup Feta cheese crumbles (blue cheese also works with this recipe)
  • 1 tablespoon parsley, finely chopped
  • 3 tablespoons sugar
  • The juice from 1 lemon

bountiful-harvest-salad-add-ins

Ingredients for dressing

  • 2 tablespoons sugar
  • 2 tbsp white wine vinegar
  • 1 tablespoon chopped parsley
  • 1/2 teaspoon salt
  • 1/2 teaspoon pepper
  • 1/4 cup olive oil

Instructions

Preparing your candied almonds is something you can do ahead of time. Allow for some time to do this though. In a large saucepan, combine the sugar and almonds and put over medium heat. Continue to stir the mixture every couple of minutes until the sugar starts to melt. Once this happens, continue stirring evenly to sugar coat all of the almonds evenly and then transfer from the pan to some foil, allowing the almonds to cool down and solidify a little bit.

harvest-salad-almond-preparationThe dressing preparation is another step that can be done ahead of time and set aside. I usually double the recipe for the dressing in case I need to whip up another batch of the salad. (I told you it’s very popular at parties!) Whisk together salt, pepper, sugar, and olive oil in a small bowl. Finely chop up parsley and add to the mixture. Shake well before tossing onto the salad. bountiful-harvest-salad-dressingSalad Preparation

  • Add washed and dried lettuce to salad bowl.
  • Cut and core apple and either cut into large apple slices or dice it up. Next, add to salad bowl. If you don’t plan on serving right away, squeeze lemon juice onto apple to prevent browning.
  • Drain mandarin oranges and add to salad.
  • Add Craisins® Dried Cranberries feta cheese crumbles, and candied almonds to the bowl and mix everything together.
  • Set salad aside until you’re ready to toss with dressing and serve.

I hope you love my Bountiful Harvest Salad as much as I do! Leave me a comment if you made it too. Also, don’t forget to grab your “It’s Fall, Ya’l” free printable above! To find more great ideas and recipes to use in and a store near you, go here.

Kids in the Kitchen: Hatch Chile Macaroni and Cheese Recipe

This post sponsored by Gigasavvy. All opinions are 100% my own

It’s Hatch Chile Season and you’ll want to get your hands on some of these amazing, flavorful chiles from New Mexico at a Northgate Market near you.  They’re available now through 8/28 at your nearest Northgate Market.northgate-market-truck-chile-seasonDuring the month of August, Northgate Markets are hosting in-store Hatch Chile Roasting events on the weekends. For a list of the locations hosting the events, along with dates and times, visit herehatch-chile-inn-store-1We stopped by the newest Northgate Market location in Anaheim, which is my new favorite grocery store to shop at, and grabbed some Hatch Chiles to take home and cook with. hatch-chile-in-store-2Lately, my daughter has been asking me if she could do more cooking in the kitchen. I’m happy that she has an interest in learning to cook, so of course, I want her to. She suggested we incorporate the Hatch Chiles into one of her favorite foods, Macaroni and Cheese.  hatch-chile-recipe-doneI think most adults love “Mac & Cheese”, too. I know I never turn down a simple comfort food! I love the flavor of Hatch Chiles, so I knew it would be a great combination.hatch-chiles-in-store-2

I first guided her through the process of roasting the Hatch Chiles. It’s not difficult, it just takes some time.hatch-chile-recipe-roastingI love using our cast-iron skillet so we used it to roast the chiles. I like the way they seem to “dance” while they sizzle. You need to allow both sides to roast really well. It’s Ok for the chiles to appear blackened on the outside. Depending on what you’re making, you either remove that part anyway, or incorporate the blackened part into your recipe, to give it a smoky taste. Mmm! hatch-chile-recipe-sweatingAfter the chiles are roasted to your liking, you immediately stick them back into the produce bag (if they came in one) or else into a plastic bag and seal it, allowing them to “sweat”. After about 10 minutes, you’ll be able to easily remove the outer skin of your Hatch Chiles. It will literally just peel off . You’ll slice open down the center and remove the seeds with a spoon. (or by hand) hatch-chile-recipe-peelinghatch-chile-recipe-remove-seedsFor this recipe, my daughter diced up the Hatch Chiles and set them aside while we prepared the rest of the iingredients. hatch-chile-recipe-kids-help

hatch-chile-mac-and-cheese-recipehatch-chile-recipe-dicedIngredients:

  • 3-4 Hatch Chiles, roasted and diced
  • 2 cups milk
  • 2 cups large elbow macaroni (or your preference of noodles)
  • 1 1/2 cups Monterey Jack cheese, shredded
  • 1 1/2 cups Mexican Blend or Cheddar cheese, shredded
  • 2 tablespoons flour
  • 1/2 tsp salt
  • 1/2 tsp pepper
  • 1/2 tsp onion flakes or 1/4 cup white onion, finely diced
  • 1/4 cup breadcrumbs (crushed croutons may also be used)

Directions for preparation: 

  1. Roast Hatch Chiles, dice, and set aside. (see above for roasting instructions.)
  2. Preheat oven to 350 degrees. Use non-stick cooking spray to coat your baking dish. (We used a Cast Iron Pan for this recipe.)
  3. Boil the macaroni in a pot of lightly salted water according to the instructions on the package. Drain and place back into pot. hatch-chile-recipe-macaroni
  4. On the stovetop, pour milk into a saucepan and whisk in flour, salt and pepper, and onion flakes or diced onion over a medium heat. After mixture comes to a boil, allow to simmer for about 2 minutes.  You’ll notice the mixture start to thicken. hatch-chile-recipe-mix-in-chiles
  5. In a large bowl, toss the cheeses together, add milk mixture into the bowl and whisk together until all are mixed well. hatch-chile-recipe-cheese
  6. Pour cheese sauce over pasta in the and mix well. Add diced chiles to the mixture.
  7. Transfer to the broiler-safe cooking dish and top with a generous layer of bread crumbs. hatch-chile-recipe-ready-to-bake
  8. Bake at 350 degrees for 20 minutes. Set the oven to “broil” for 3 minutes, watching it closely, until the top is slightly browned. Immediately remove from oven and allow to cool prior to serving. hatch-chiles-recipe-done-2

This recipe was so simple for my daughter to prepare, with my supervision of course. You can find all of the Hatch Chile recipe ingredients at your nearest Northgate location. Here are just a few locations:

  • 230 N Harbor Blvd, Santa Ana, CA 92703
  • 2120 Pacific Ave, Long Beach, CA 90806
  • 1410 S 43rd St., San Diego, CA 92113

Click here for a list of all the Northgate Market locations. Do you have any favorite recipes using Hatch Chiles? I’d love to hear about them.

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