eating

Game Day Snacks!

| kristencastillo

Yay! It’s the weekend. Who’s ready for some fun?

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September is here and I know my husband is excited for the kickoff of the football season. Whether you’re tailgating or watching the game at home, you definitely want to have good snacks.

Shout out to Dickey’s Barbecue Pit who invited me to sample their new game day eats.

My husband and I tried their new pit-smoked wings and fall off the bone ribs. They were yummy! I liked that you could try a variety of sauces, including my faves, classic barbecue and sweet barbecue. They also have Carolina barbecue, buffalo, hot buffalo, Texas hot, a rib rub and a new lemon pepper rub.

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Plus, these wings, which are pit-smoked 12 hours at 225 degrees, are healthier than traditional breaded wings. Dickey’s hosted us for the wings and ribs*. We bought drinks and yummy sides, like waffle fries and macaroni and cheese.

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All of the food was really tasty – can’t believe this was our first time trying Dickey’s Barbeque. We’ll definitely get it again for a meal and our next gameday!

*I was not paid for this post.

Food Swaps: Cooking Substitutions

| kristencastillo

Even the best cooks sometimes run out of ingredients or simply want to replace an item in a recipe. Luckily there are many tasty alternative ingredients.

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Did you know avocado makes a great substitution for mayo and butter? My Creators Syndicate article breaks down these substitutions and more food swaps, like cooking with prunes, beans and Greek yogurt.

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Most of these substitutions are healthy. Plus they’re practical – some of these items may already be in your pantry or refrigerator which saves you a trip to the grocery store.

What’s your favorite food substitution?

 

Cheers to Thanksgiving!

| kristencastillo

Setting the table for Thanksgiving is always so much fun. On the table this holiday: these two sparkling wines from Alsatian winery, Dopff & Irion.

They’re made from different grapes, like Pinot Blanc and Pinot Auxerrois, in a traditional champagne method. These well-balanced sparkling wines have fine and lasting bubbles.

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The Brut Blanc de Blancs NV, is ideal for dinner and even dessert. It’s light and bubbly with green apple or lemon aromas. The Brut Rosé NV, suited for cocktails, has a red berry fruit taste.

Thanks to Dopff & Irion for sending me these wines to try! I’m looking forward to sharing them with my guests this holiday. Happy Thanksgiving!

Mix.Mingle.Schmooze

| kristencastillo

I recently attended the “Mix.Mingle.Schmooze” magazine release party for San Diego Style Weddings – the wedding magazine for which I’m the editor.

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The latest issue of San Diego Style Weddings.

The party, held at Mission Brewery, featured great food, beer and wine, and of course wedding inspiration.

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Another awesome party hosted by San Diego Style Weddings’ publisher Dena Nolen-Malasek.

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Posing with SDSW’s publisher, Dena-Nolen Malasek. Photo credit: Paul Barnett Photography.

Some of the highlights included:

  • The amazing paper flower backdrop created by Esmeralda Luxury Paper Flowers. What a colorful backdrop for photos!
  • I’m a sucker for photo booths and Captured Photos Booths didn’t disappoint!

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  • Yummy milk and cookies from the Cravory. I especially liked the chocolate truffle and lemon bar cookies.
  • Comfy and stylish seating from Lounge Appeal
  • The “Idaho Nachos” (create your own potato ship nachos) from caterer Feast on This were great – a perfect late night snack at any wedding or event.
  • Cool caricature drawings from Caricatures by Dave.
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Caricatures by Dave
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With my husband – does the caricature match us?   Photo credit: Eisenhower Photography

  • Tasty mini donuts and deep fried Oreos from Sensational Treats.
  • Pretty floral arrangements from local florists like Studio Flourish and Haydee’s Creative Flowers.

 

Fun fact: Mission Brewery is located inside a former Wonder Bread factory in downtown San Diego. The building has lots of open space, exposed brick and great city views.

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Check out the latest issue of San Diego Style Weddings online and in local stores.

 

Photos are my own, unless noted.

2016 Food Trend Report

| kristencastillo

Love sriracha, artisan pickles and ancient grains? You’re in luck! These are some of the top 20 food trends for 2016.

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From healthy kids’ meals to local produce to ethnic condiments, menu trends for 2016 are intriguing. The National Restaurant Association (NRA) recently released its annual list of what’s hot at restaurants.

“Chefs and restaurateurs are in tune with over-arching consumer trends when it comes to menu planning but add their own twist of culinary creativity to drive those trends in new directions,” said Hudson Riehle, senior vice president of research for the NRA. “No one has a better view into the window of the future of food trends than the culinary professionals who lead our industry.”

The NRA surveyed almost 1,600 chefs, all members of the American Culinary Federation (ACF). The chefs reported their picks for the top foods, beverages and culinary themes trends for the New Year.

My Healthy Dining article explains what’s hot and what’s not this year in cuisine.

Celebrating San Diego Restaurant Week

| kristencastillo

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Restaurant Week is always exciting. It’s a great chance to try new restaurants, sample new foods and get outside the usual food routines we all have. While there’s nothing wrong with visiting a favorite dinner spot or a having a certain place to grab dessert, it’s interesting to check out new restaurants and nibble a few new dishes.

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I recently attended San Diego Restaurant Week’s launch party, previewing the week-long event celebrating local food and drink in San Diego.

The party, held at Go Green Agriculture in Encinitas, featured 20 restaurants and 19 beverage providers, including:

Restaurants:

Blind Burro

Blue Point Coastal Cuisine

Cafe Coyote

Casa de Bandini

Cowboy Star

Croce’s Park West

D Bar San Diego

Double Standard

Park Hyatt Aviara

Parq Restaurant

Peohe’s Coronado

Sbicca Del Mar

S & M Sausage & Meat

Solare Ristorante

Stake Chophouse & Bar

Terra American Bistro

The Patio Restaurant Group

Tom Ham’s Lighthouse

Tidal

Waypoint Public

Beverages:

2 Plank Vineyards

619 Vodka

Bernardo Winery

BK Cellars

Bolt Brewing Co.

Briar Rose Winery

Fallbrook Winery

Helm’s Brewing Co.

Hillcrest Brewing Co.

Kill Devil Spirits Co.

Koi Zen Cellars

Old Harbor Distilling

Palumbo Family Vineyards

Stehleon Vineyards

The California Spirits Co.

The California Fruit Wine Co.

URBN Brewing Co.

Vinavanti Urban Winery

Witch Creek Winery

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My husband joined me to sample lots of tasty foods and drinks. Some of our faves? The sausage from Sausage & Meat; the pork dish garnished with watermelon from Parq Restaurant; and the s’mores dessert from Park Hyatt Aviara.

Despite the hot weather, the launch was great! From chilled gazpacho to sips of wine, it was easy to cool down and savor the flavors.

San Diego Restaurant Week runs through September 27. Reservations are recommended.

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Lunch is served with a two-course prix-fixe menu for $10, $15 or $20 per person. Dinner is a three-course, prix-fixe menu for $20, $30, $40 or $50 per person.

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Bon appétit to a variety of local restaurants and delicious dishes!

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