matcha matcha matcha

matcha green tea powder: here | glass jar: gift (similar item here) with a vinyl monogram | tea kettle: gift from Williams Sonoma

My current obsession is adding Japanese matcha powder to my cup of green tea. You can also add this to a cup of warm milk (almond milk would be my preference) instead of tea or coffee, because matcha is already caffeinated. Since I bought this from an Asian market in Sugarland, Texas, I don't have a link for it, but I'm positive you can find with quality Chinese or Japanese matcha in many other stores.
xo, Amanda

oven-fried chicken sliders
​+ spicy corn dip

prep time: 5-10 minutes | cook time: 45 minutes
ingredients for chicken sliders
  • 4 chicken thighs
  • 1/2 cup panko (or breadcrumbs)
  • 1/2 tsp black pepper & salt (each)
  • 1/2 tsp garlic powder
  • 1/2 cup grated Parmesan
  • 1 egg
  • olive oil
  • slider buns
  • optional toppings: sliced red onion, spring greens, avocado & condiments
​ingredients for spicy corn dip
  • 1 tbsp butter
  • 2 cups corn
  • 1/2 jalapeño, minced
  • pinch cayenne pepper
  • 1 garlic, minced
  • 1/2 tsp black pepper & salt
  • 1 lime juice
  • 3 tbsp goat cheese
instructions​
  1. Preheat the oven to 350 degrees.
  2. On a rimmed baking sheet, line with parchment paper or foil for an easy clean up.
  3. Rinse chicken with water, pat dry & cut each piece in half. Set aside.
  4. In a large Ziploc bag, add in panko, salt, pepper, garlic powder & Parmesan cheese.
  5. In a shallow bowl, crack egg and whisk.
  6. As for the messiest step, coat each piece of chicken with egg and drop into the Ziploc bag, one or two at a time. Shake until the chicken is completely covered, then place the chicken onto the baking sheet.
  7. Repeat step 6 until all chicken is covered with the Ziploc bag mixture. Re-dip any pieces that need more coating until all mixture is used.
  8. Before popping them into the oven, drizzle 1/2 tsp over each piece of chicken.
  9. Bake for 40-45 minutes, until the outside is slightly golden and crispy-looking. Once ready, let the chicken rest for 5 minutes.
  10. While the chicken is baking in the oven, prepare the corn dip (& other toppings, if preferred).
  11. In a small saucepan, add the butter. When melted, add in corn, jalapeño, cayenne, garlic, salt & pepper. After a few minutes, turn off heat and add in lime juice and goat cheese. Mix well and serve in a small bowl.
​ Enjoy!

corn chips chili pie

prep time: 5 minutes | cook time: 50 minutes
ingredients for chili
  • 1 lb ground beef or turkey
  • 3 tbsp chili powder
  • 1 tbsp cayenne pepper
  • 2 tbsp Adobo or seasoned salt
  • 1 cup mushrooms, chopped
  • 1 medium onion, chopped
  • 4 cloves garlic, minced
  • 2 cups water
  • 1 1/2 tbsp brown sugar
  • 2 (15 oz) cans tomato sauce
  • 1 (15 oz) can kidney or black beans, drained
  • 1 (15 oz) can sweet corn, drained
​ingredients for toppings
  • 1 (9 oz) bag Bearitos (or any) corn chips
  • 1 avocado, sliced (pinch of salt & pepper)
  • 1/4 red onion, diced
  • 3 scallions, diced
  • 8 oz sour cream
  • 1 cup favorite cheese, shredded
  • 1 jalapeño pepper, sliced (optional)
instructions​
  1. Heat a large pot over medium heat.
  2. When the pot is hot, add ground meat, salt, chili powder, cayenne pepper, mushrooms, and onion. While stirring often, cook until the beef is no longer pink (6-8 minutes).
  3. Add the garlic, water, brown sugar, tomato sauce, beans and corn. Then bring to a boil.
  4. Reduce the heat to medium-low and simmer for 40 minutes, stir occasionally.
  5. Place a handful of chips in each bowl, pour a spoonful of chili and let everyone add their own toppings.
Enjoy!

strawberry marg slush

total time: 5 minutes
​ingredients
  • 1 lb fresh strawberries
  • 2/3 cup lime juice
  • 1/2 cup sugar, honey or agave​
  • 1 cup tequila
  • 1/4 cup Triple Sec
  • 1-2 cups ice
  • salt or sugar for rims
  • lime slices to garnish
instructions
  1. Put the strawberries, lime juice and sugar/honey/agave in a blender and blend until smooth.
  2. Add the tequila and Triple Sec and blend until smooth.
  3. To prepare frozen strawberry margaritas, add a good amount of ice to the blender mix. Blend until the ice is crushed and smooth, the margarita should have a slushy consistency.
  4. Use a slice of lime to wet the rims of the glasses and garnish with sugar or salt.
Enjoy!

chocolate banana muffins

prep time: 10 minutes | cook time: 20 minutes
ingredients
  • 4 bananas (preferably very ripe)
  • 1/3 cup melted butter
  • 2/3 cup sugar
  • 1 egg
  • 1 teaspoon vanilla extract
  • 1 teaspoon baking soda
  • pinch of salt
  • 1 1/2 cups all purpose flour
  • 1 cup chocolate chips (I prefer dark)
  • handful of chopped walnuts
instructions
  1. Preheat oven to 350 degrees.
  2. Grease muffin or cupcake tins.
  3. Throw peeled bananas and melted butter into a large bowl and smash with a pastry blender or a fork until the mixture is smooth and creamy.
  4. Add egg, sugar and vanilla. Mix until just combined.
  5. Add salt, baking soda, flour and chocolate chips. Mix until just combined.
  6. Sprinkle a a pinch of chopped walnuts.
  7. Pour into muffin tins and bake for about 18-20 minutes (test with a toothpick).
Enjoy!

let there be cake

cake: Cake Coquette | cake flowers: Vicemi

Our cake designer and florist created the most beautiful cake that I have ever seen. The best part, it was delicious, too!!

​I would recommend the two companies to anyone getting married or needing cake or flowers for an event in the Bay Area.
xo, Amanda