The Ole! Report featuring Dalia Ceja

Someone has a sweet tooth over here and it happens to be me…

Interestingly enough, I grew up in a household where sugar was seldom consumed and NEVER around. My mom is and always has been a health nut. The sweetest thing she ever brought around the kitchen was Honey Nut Cheerios and for birthdays she would make a homemade carrot cake and a flan. Yup, I was one of those kids at school who was trying to trade my apple slices for a couple of Oreos or a Jello chocolate pudding {just writing this makes me smile}.

But let’s get back to why I love making this style of flan. I have to give my mom all of the credit because she has taught me how to make one damn good flan. There are a thousand variations of making this classic dessert but the addition of almonds gives it a creamy and smooth texture. If there is one thing I detest it’s eggy flan and this recipe is the complete opposite of that. Finish it off by drizzling a blueberry {or raspberry} salsa to give it that sweet and tart flavor and I promise you people will hound you for this rich and decadent dessert. Ole!

{For step-by-step cooking directions watch my video below!}

Almond Infused Flan
Serves 10
Cook Time: 1 hour   Level: Easy

Ingredients
3 eggs
1 (12 oz) can of evaporated milk
2 (10 oz) cans of sweetened condensed milk
1/4 cup slivered blanched almonds
1/2 tsp pure vanilla extract
3/4 cup sugar
2 tbsp water

Directions

Heat a medium size pan and slowly melt ¾ cup of sugar. Do not allow caramelized sugar to turn brown or burn – it should be golden in color. Be very careful with this step as the caramelized sugar is incredibly hot!

Moisten a 10-inch square baking dish by sprinkling in a few drops of water and then pour in caramelized sugar to coat its bottom. Set baking dish aside to allow sugar to cool and harden. Feel free to put baking dish in the fridge.

In a blender mix eggs, evaporated milk, condensed milk, almonds and vanilla extract at high speed for 2 minutes. Transfer mixture to a glass bowl and gently stir with fork until all bubbles disappear. Preheat oven to 375° F.

Pour egg mixture over the caramel coated baking dish and place it inside another, larger baking dish (12 x 14 inches). Add one cup (or as needed) of water to larger dish (this technique is known as “Baño Maria”) and place mid-rack of preheated oven for 30 minutes or until the surface of the flan is golden and firm. Allow flan to cool for 10 minutes.

To serve, cut around the edges with sharp knife and gently shuffle baking dish side to side until flan is loosened. Invert a serving platter or tray on top of flan dish and hold sides together and turn flan upside gently yet swiftly – the caramel will be liquefied and delicious. Cut flan into squares and get ready to serve!

Optional – Blueberry Salsa
1 cup fresh or frozen blueberries
2 tbsp lime juice
4 tbsp water
4 tbsp sugar

*Raspberries are a great alternative

Add blueberries, lime juice, sugar and water in a food processor or blender and mix for 3 minutes. Add more sugar or water as needed. Lastly, drizzle salsa over each flan square and enjoy!

p.s. Images via my bro, Ariel Ceja. You can try a similar flan at his restaurant Bistro Sabor!

Have a delicious weekend! x

After a long week there is nothing better than cocktails & juicy conversation…

I know it’s Monday morning but what the heck, cocktails are on my mind for three specific reasons.  First, yesterday’s Super Bowl fiesta was undoubtedly more pleasant to watch after drinking a stellar margarita with my girls by my side. Second, I’m working out and training hardcore during the week so I’ve given myself one day off to have a delicious & refreshing cocktail to savor and enjoy with some good company. And finally, if you’re entertaining over the next couple of weeks why not give one of these a try? Not only are they easy to make but they look so festive and offer the perfect excuse to round up the gang and have a casual shindig.

Cocktails with a Twist!

1. Blackberry Thyme Margaritas - {Beautiful to the eye & refreshing to the palate}

2. Earl Grey Martini - {Calling all tea lovers!}

3. Raspberry Lemonade - (Add a splash of vodka, topped with bubbles}

4. Pink Grapefruit Margaritas - {Your girlfriends will swoon over this margarita!}

Whether it’s stirred, shaken, neat, on the rocks, straight up, with a kick or dirty, make sure you enjoy your cocktails with rad people and interesting conversation! Oh yes, and {please drink responsibly} amigos. Gracias! x

 p.s. Check out this video & recipe of one my favorite cocktails called the  “Dalia Ole!” that Bistro Sabor makes and offers on their menu! Ole!

Is it happy hour yet? It’s 5 O’Clock somewhere…

It’s been one of those weeks. You know what I’m talking about – weeks that are busy and hectic and that are filled with nonstop work related events {not that I’m complaining}. At the end of the day all you want to do is kick your feet up and enjoy a cocktail, or two or three, and catch up on juicy gossip with friends…

So this brings me to the Dalia Ole! Cocktail.  And no, I didn’t name it, the boys at Bistro Sabor chose this fine name, partially for the addition of bubbles that give it that fun effervescence and also for the subtle spice component that the cayenne pepper rim provides.  It consists of everything refreshing and desirable that you would want in a delicious cocktail {in my humble opinion}. Everyone will enjoy this tasty beverage and will usually come back for a second round.

Check out this video filmed at {Bistro Sabor}. You’ll get the step-by-step instructions to make this delicious cocktail… Ole!

{Soju rice vodka, pineapple juice, lime juice, Ceja Sparkling Brut, cherry syrup, simple syrup & cayenne pepper}

{Shake it baby!}

So there you have it friends. Stop by Bistro Sabor and enjoy this cocktail or you can make it in the comfort of your own home. Trust me, it will immediately relax you and put a smile on your face.

Enjoy the weekend! xoxo

Last year I was approached by television producers to co-host a mini web series called ReDiscover for Msn.com. The web series focused on 12 major cities throughout the U.S., highlighting the “secrets” of each city. Honored and excited about this fun work opportunity, I agreed immediately and got to work rediscovering Napa. As a local, I loved picking my top hidden gems that tourists might not have the chance to experience {outside of wine tasting and restaurant hopping}.

Check out the first segment filmed at the Oxbow Public Market!

Drumroll please… and here are my top five secrets of the Napa Valley:

1. Napa Valley Balloons- Take an early morning balloon ride over the mystic Napa Valley & enjoy a nice glass of bubbles for breakfast as the sun peaks over the Mayacamas Mtns. It was one of my most breathtaking & memorable experiences.

2. Clemente’s at Val’s Liquor Store- Craving some traditional Italian comfort food? Clemente’s is the place to pick up your dinner. It’s a mom and pop local shop and is know for it’s Malfatti, which are cheese/spinach dumplings served with their famous marinara sauce. These homemade dishes will have you begging for seconds!

3. Indian Hot Springs- Take a swim in the natural mineral pools and follow with a juicy mud bath or massage. My favorite time of the year to go is during the fall/winter months when it’s so cold outside you can marinate in the hot pools and relax with a bottle of wine. A sexy getaway for couples or a group of friends.

4. Betty’s Girl Boutique- Talk about a clothing store with character! I’m obsessed with dresses and Kim {the store owner} has a vast collection of vintage style dresses that she can custom fit or design. For all of you ladies out there, there is no other clothing store like this in Napa.

5. Bistro Sabor Salsa Saturday nights!- {And no, not just because I’m family}- Let’s face it, Napa isn’t known for its night life but Bistro Sabor offers complimentary Salsa dance classes from 10pm-1am every Sat night. It’s fun, it’s unique {the food rocks} and it’s bringing culture to downtown Napa. Need I say more…

As I had hoped, we filmed a second segment flying in a hot air balloon. It was such an amazing experience! The video ends at our Ceja Vineyards tasting room in Carneros cooking and feasting on Chilaquiles!

P.s. Take a peek at my fun interview here. Ole!