Happy National Tequila Day

Today is National Tequila Day so grab a lime and salt shaker! Honor this day at your favorite bar or restaurant, or be adventurous and try a summer tequila recipe.

On the West Coast one of my favorite margaritas in South Orange County is called the Javier’s Margarita and it is made at Javier’s Cantina in Newport Beach, CA. All of their margaritas are made with fresh ingredients and hand-shaken. This restaurant also claims to have the largest selection of premium tequilas in the O.C.

On the East Coast I highly recommend Gabriela’s Mexican Restaurant and Tequila Bar, which is located on the Upper West Side in NYC. If you enjoy sweet and blended margaritas this place is for you!

Lastly if you are not in the mood for venturing out tonight, celebrate at home with this quick and easy Martha Stewart summer recipe:

Tequila-Soaked Fruit

•                1/4 watermelon (2 pounds)

•                1 mango, peeled

•                3 oranges

•                1/2 cup tequila reposada

•                1 tablespoon lime zest

Cut watermelon and mango into 1-inch cubes. Slice off rind and pith from oranges; cut in half lengthwise, place flat sides down, and cut into semicircles. Place all fruit in a large dish and sprinkle with tequila. Set aside for up to an hour. Grate lime zest over fruit. Skewer and 

Happy National HOT DOG day...lets celebrate it VEGAN Style...

It’s a NATIONAL HOT DOG peopleee…As I made a life style change to vegetarianism, the most I miss was HOT DOGS…I missed it so much that my boyfriend cooked me some and it really came out very well…And since that day I do not miss it.

I researched a little and found that there are lots of vegan options for HOT DOGS. Vegan hot dogs not only effectively mirror the taste of grilled, juicy hot dog straight from the ballpark, but they're also healthy and nutritious alternatives. They can be dressed up just as a hot dog can, and are perfect for barbecue events with vegetarian or vegan guests. You can find recipe here- http://www.wikihow.com/Make-Vegan-Hot-Dogs

You can find various ready to grill hot dogs such as Tofu Pups, Yves The Good Dog, Smart dogs, Tofurky Franks. Just grill them and have fun and enjoy the goodness of HOT DOG.

You can also find some amazing Vegan\ Vegetarian HOT DOGS in LA at  http://www.thefrankenstand.com/  (location varies).

I guess today we all will have some amazing Vegan HOT DOGS…  

Good Choice Sushi

Throughout the summer many of us spend time searching for cold, refreshing dishes that will satisfy our lunch and dinner cravings. Good Choice Sushi is a wonderful little restaurant located in a small plaza in Laguna Niguel, CA.  This place has a fun and unique atmosphere that can brighten anyone’s day. The sushi chefs and staff are always friendly and helpful. In addition, if you decide to sit at the around the sushi bar you will have an opportunity to chose from a variety of different plates, which float around in a miniature moat that surrounds the bar. If you are hesitant to get your sushi from the moat, then you are more than welcome to order directly from the chefs who will kindly make you anything you request. Good Choice has been around for many years and is one that has maintained good quality sushi and affordable prices. My personal favorite here is their salmon sushi and California Crunchy Roll since I’m allergic to shrimp.

Tip: If you go on Mondays and Tuesdays you can opt for the all you can eat menu that costs approximately $22 a person. If you don't eat enough to qualify you for the all you can eat price, they will give you the lower price. 

Some Tasty treat for this SUMMEERRRR…..

As sun is scorching and summer break is here, let’s try some amazing homemade DO IT YOURSELF Frozen treats for you and your family and friends. Here are some try on recipes you will love and they take few minutes and taste amazing.

Frozen Banana Pops 

Ingredients
 3 Whole, peeled bananas
1 6 oz. package semi-sweet chocolate chips
(optional: 1/2 cup peanut butter)

Directions
1. Melt chocolate chips, stir in peanut butter if desired.
2. cut bananas in half, insert Popsicle stick in each
3. Roll bananas in chocolate mixture, coat with sprinkles or chopped
nuts if desired.
4. Stand bananas upright in glasses and leave in refrigerator until
coating is set.
5. Cover and freeze until pops are firmly frozen.

(Note: you can use the same recipe for other fruits such as Kiwi, Apple, Grapes, Strawberries)

Frozen Fruit Popsicles

Ingredients:

Fresh Cut Mixed Fruits or Frozen Mixed Fruits (grapes, Strawberry, Peach, Kiwi, other fruits)

Mixed fruit juice

Directions:

      1)      Cut all the fruits in small pieces.

      2)      Take some popsicle molds, add fruit pieces and fill in the remaining space with any fruit juices.

      3)      Refrigerate it till it solidifies and enjoy with your family an amazing 5 mins recipe.

Hot Cookie Ice-cream Sandwiches

Ingredients:

Cookie Dough for Cookies

Any Ice-cream of your choice

Chocolate or Caramel Sauce (not needed)

Directions:

      1)      Bake some cookies in oven.

      2)      Meanwhile take some ice-cream in a bowl and mix it so it becomes soft.

      3)      Add crushed nuts or candies and sauces (if needed)

      4)      Take out the hot cookies; let them cool for a while.

      5)      Take one cookie put some ice-cream mix on it and top it with another cookie.

And here’s your amazing hot cookie Ice-cream sandwich.

 What are you preparing this SUMMERRR!!!!!

Home for the Summer

After attending school in Purchase, NY I always look forward to returning home for the summer to Orange County, CA. Because New York is not really known for its Mexican food I always enjoy grabbing a bite to eat at the local restaurant in my home town.

My favorite Mexican restaurant has always been the one and only El Molino De Oro in San Juan Capistrano, CA. It always provides a great selection of authentic food and also has an large bakery that offers a variety of pan dulce and traditional desserts. A few of my favorite dishes here consists of the wet burrito, torta, taco salad and nachos. As delicious as all of these may be make sure you bring a big appetite or a friend, these portions are not small. In addition to having a great meals  here, I would also recommend trying one of their authentic drinks such as the jamaica, horchata or agua fresca. In case you have never heard of these drinks, jamaica is a hibiscus tea, horchata is made from ground almonds and can contain sesame seeds and barley and agua fresca is watermelon juice.

So the next time you are in the small town of San Juan Capistrano, CA stop by El Molino De Oro to pick up nachos and possibly an agua fresca!

Orange County Fair

The San Diego County fair was  success! On to the next town: ORANGE COUNTY.

The Orange County Fair runs from July 12 - August 11.

The theme of the 2013 OC fair is 'Come & Get it'. Come on down to the OC fair this month and get a taste of Summer, OC style. Enjoy live entertainment, fun rides and games, and of course delicious fair food.


Like any other fair, the OC Fair has it's selection of delicious fair food from savory turkey legs to fried anything (basically)! And on Friday's during the fair, there will be a Taste of Fair event starting at $2. For a menu of the Taste of Fair Food, click here.

Love Music? The 2013 Summer Concert Series at the Pacific Amphitheatre will feature a wide range of artists such as Colbie Caillat, The Go-Gos, Austin Mahone, Alan Jackson, Styx, The Wanted and many more! 

General Tips:
Open Wednesday - Sunday (Closed Monday and Tuesday)

Ticket Prices - General (13–59) $11, Seniors (60+) $8, Youth (6–12) $6. Children 5 and under free.

Every Friday Noon - 4 'Come and Get' The Taste of Fair Food $2
Early Risers Discount - Saturday and Sunday 10 - 11 AM $3 admission

Additional Information can be found in the fair's website.

Eating Healthy and Tasty food outside…

If you always wonder where you can eat outside with no efforts at home and still eat healthy and tasty variety of foods. So here is the list of restaurants providing a variety of healthy foods:

Season 52…

Seasons 52 is a fresh grill and wine bar that invites guests to discover the sensational flavors of a seasonally-inspired menu with less than 200 calories (few dishes more than 200 calories) and award-winning international wine list in a casually-sophisticated ambiance. Season 52 renew their menu for 52 seasons. You can check some amazing dishes on Dishclips Season 52.

Veggie Grill.. 

It’s a very affordable place for Vegan lovers. Variety of tasty delicious burgers, sandwiches, salads with more emphasis on reaching for daily nutrients. It is also been voted as No. 1 new restaurant in Orange county. Worth Trying...

These are my favs…Whats yours?????