A Christmas Tradition: Panettone

January 5, 2024January 5, 2024 | kristencastillo

Christmas is a season of sweets and my family and I are loving Panettone, an Italian sweet bread from Italian bakery Olivieri 1882. This fruitcake is a light, sweet and soft pastry.

Thanks Olivieri 1882 for sending me this classic Christmas bread to savor over the holidays. It features Australian raisins, candied oranges and bourbon vanilla in every bite.

This bread is made in Italy at a family-run bakery that’s been making panettone for over 140 years. Made with raw ingredients in a four-day production process, these sweet breads are authentically Italian and quite delicious. They’re shipped straight from Italy and delivered in the U.S. within 48 hours. You can also find the breads at Goldbelly and Italy stores.

**The bread arrives in this sturdy and stylish box.**

Their special occasion breads are available throughout the year, including Christmas, Valentine’s Day, and Easter. Their bestselling flavors include Apricot and Salted Caramel and Triple Chocolate.

Trying Brazi Bites, Latin Inspired Cheese bread

November 22, 2023January 5, 2024 | kristencastillo

Need a yummy appetizer or savory snack (especially during the holiday season)? Check out Brazi Bites Brazilian Cheese Bread.

Great in the oven or the air fryer, these bites are quick to cook. They’re cheesy, crispy and bite sized too, making them an ideal appetizer for parties or a tasty snack to enjoy at home.

Brazi Bites sent me some samples to try: Everything and Cheddar & Parmesan. My family and I loved them.

The Brazi Bites, which start with a family recipe, are naturally grain-free and gluten-free. The bites are frozen and ready to heat whenever the craving strikes.

A monster of a good time

September 30, 2022October 13, 2022 | kristencastillo

This Halloween, we made a dessert that’s all treats, no tricks!

My kids and I had fun making Monster Chocolate Pops from tinyB Chocolate. The San Francisco based company gifted me the family friendly kit.

We made the chocolate pops at home in our kitchen using everything that was included in the kits: white and dark chocolate for the outside of the pops, two types of brigadeiro (Brazilian truffle filling) one in dark chocolate and the other pumpkin spice; popsicle sticks; and fun toppings including bright sprinkles, googly eyes and mini marshmallows.

We heated and tempered the chocolate before filling the popsicle mold shell, which is included in the kit. The kids decided to make two vanilla, one chocolate, and one marble pop.

We decorated them with the toppings and placed the pops in the freezer for 30 minutes to set. Then they were ready to eat.

This was a fun and tasty activity for the kids and it wasn’t very messy. A win-win! Order the pops by October 26 so you can make them for Halloween.

“Hey, That’s Mine”

September 6, 2022October 13, 2022 | kristencastillo

Having a family meal and trying out some dressings and sauces that are made for kids.

This new line of sauces and dressings called “That’s Mine” is making its debut. That’s Mine sent me some samples to try including organic cherry balsamic, organic Italian, organic ketchup, organic lemon-lime, organic mixed berry and organic ranch. The bottles are kids sized and the sauces/dressings are gluten free.

Our whole family tried the ketchup which has no refined sugars, as well as the Italian dressing. Both were tasty for the kids and adults. Picky eaters will likely want to try these sauces and dressings.

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Cheers to Life’s Celebrations

February 7, 2021May 20, 2021 | kristencastillo

Whether you’re celebrating the big game or an upcoming event like a wedding, this is a pretty cool way to toast the special occasion.

Thanks Sans Wine Co. for sending me these wines to sample. #gifted

These stylish canned wines are convenient, tasty and available in choices like Rosé Bubbles and Carbonic Carignan.

They’re sans additives, sans chemicals, naturally crafted, old vine and vegan-certified.

The wines are the passion of husband and wife team, Jake Stover & Gina Schober. Cheers to all the big days ahead!

Game Day Snacks!

September 6, 2019September 6, 2019 | kristencastillo

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

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.

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.

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

July 31, 2018July 31, 2018 | 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?

Chocolate + Caramels = Yes, Please!

May 9, 2018May 9, 2018 | kristencastillo

Chocolates are my favorite treat. They’re a great dessert, especially for parties and events, like weddings.

Recently Fran’s Chocolates sent me their famous salted caramels. These Gray and Smoked Salt Caramels are available in dark and milk chocolate, paired with soft buttery caramel and topped with gray and smoked sea salts.

The caramels look pretty and taste delicious!

An added bonus? The presentation – box and bow – can be color coordinated.

A tasty and eye-catching option for wedding favors.

Valentine’s Day Date Tips for Couples & Families

February 9, 2018February 19, 2018 | kristencastillo

Valentine’s Day is coming up! Stumped on what to do? I’ve got some great ideas on how to spend Valentine’s Day with your sweetheart.

Since I’m a writer for San Diego Family Magazine, I had the opportunity today to share some Valentine’s Day date tips for couples and families with Renee Nelson at ABC 10News during a FacebookLive. We talked about specific places to go in San Diego; things to do on a budget and to splurge; ways to keep love sizzling, and more.

Get more Valentine’s Day ideas in the February issue of San Diego Family Magazine, which is available for free at Albertsons, Ralphs, Party City and local libraries, as well as online.

Here are some behind the scenes photos from the shoot.