Dessert Before Dinner

Tuesday, February 17, 2015

Elbow's Mac and Cheese Review

I’ve found a new restaurant that I love, love, LOVE! It’s called Elbows Mac ‘n’ Cheese.

This place is so unique, as it offers a HUGE variety of different types of, you guessed it, mac & cheese!

My family and I visited the Elbows location in downtown Brea, CA (another location in Cerritos, CA). The Brea location has only been open for about 3 months, but is already hugely popular. The place was packed with lots of macaroni and cheese loving customers.

We started off with some drinks and apps (how CUTE are these cups?!)

We ordered the vanilla sweet potato fries. I love sweet potato fries, and if I see them on a menu it’s pretty darn hard for me to resist. These ones really caught my attention because they are vanilla sweet potato fries. Uh, ok! Let me tell you, they were soooooo good. I’m not sure if I’d classify them in the appetizer category or the dessert category. They could definitely fall under both! They were very sweet, and vanilla-y. Even my boy Charlie loved them, and he’s not too big of a sweet potato fan. They came with a side of ranch dip, which went very well with them, but definitely not needed. These babies are perfect alone!

App #2 was the Mac & Cheese Bites: breaded mac and cheese balls with a marinara dipping sauce… YUM! The kids loved them!

NOW FOR THE ENTREES!

I chose the “So Shellfish” Mac that includes lobster and asparagus. SO. GOOD. They DO NOT short you on the lobster- that’s for sure!

My hubby went for the “Cajun Mac”. He LOVES anything Cajun flavored. This dish was pretty good with lots of sausage and green onions. Definitely thought it would have a little more of a kick to it, since it’s Cajun but it wasn’t spicy at all.

Ciera chose the simple “4 Cheese Mac”, which I have to admit at first I was a little bummed she chose it, because they have a huge menu of fun options for mac and cheese. But when I took the first bite, I was glad that she picked that one. It was SO good, and exactly what you’d think of when you think ‘homemade mac and cheese’. It was perfect!

Elbows not only offers mac and cheese, they also offer a variety of salads and sandwiches. Charlie went with the Philly Cheese Steak sandwich, and was not disappointed! I mean look at that- look at all the cheese flowing out of that sandwich.

The portion sizes at Elbows are pretty decent, can you tell Charlie is enjoying his food?? ha! We ended up taking home leftovers.

My only complaint about Elbows is that they are not closer to me! It is SO worth the drive up to Brea, and I’m crossing my fingers for an Elbows location down in my area (which I hear may be in the works!!)

Elbows Mac ‘n’ Cheese

215 West Birch Street,

Brea, CA 92821

Phone. 714-784-6613

Fax. 714-784-6618

Email. info@elbowsmacncheese.com

Trisha's Dip!

I wanted to post a quick little blog sharing with you an amazing appetizer that’s guaranteed to be a crowd pleaser at your next party! Every time I make this I have my friends pretty much beg me for the recipe, so here it is guys. You’ll want to bookmark or pin this one, no doubt!

I call this Trisha’s Dip, because my the recipe comes from my good friend Trisha.

Trisha’s Dip:

Ingredients:

1- 8oz container of veggie cream cheese

8 oz mayo (use the empty container from the cream cheese to measure out the mayo- less dishes to wash that way!)

1 small can of diced green chilies

1 medium sized chopped jalapeno, or more depending on how much of a kick you like (you can use jalapenos in a can in place of the fresh jalapeno)

approx 1 cup of shredded cheddar cheese blend (Mexican or Pizza style cheese work great)

1/2 cup shredded parmesan cheese

Directions:

Mix all the above ingredients together minus the parmesan cheese in amicrowave/oven/broiler safe container.

Microwave for about 4 minutes, or until warm.

EASY, right?!

Top the dip with the parmesan cheese and place in the broiler for approx 3-4 minutes or until just golden brown on top. serve warm with tortilla or potato chips (I LOVE kettle style potato chips with this dip)

And naturally, you’ll want to serve this dip with some great wine

Wine Recomendation: Menage A Trois CA red wine blend.

Or any beverage in a pretty wine glass… That’s okay too!

Belo Blow dry Bar, Laguna Beach

I had the chance to stop by Belo Blow Dry Bar in beautiful downtown Laguna Beach yesterday morning for a blow out hairstyle service. You guys, this place is absolutely stunning yet sophisticated in a very comfortable and welcoming way if that makes sense.

Isn’t it beautiful? Its so bright and airy and simply relaxing. The salon isn’t the only thing beautiful, the employees are as well! They are adorable and SO friendly. I seriously felt like I’d known them for years!

My stylist was Jessica. Let me tell ya, this girl is insanely talented. Being a former hairstylist myself, I know how hard it is to create a perfect, beautiful hairstyle- especially for someone who has a crazy amount of hair (like me). Jessica styled my hair effortlessly and get this- with only a blow dryer and round brush. I repeat, only a dryer and round brush!!! I was in AWE! Usually to get a style like the one Jessica created, I’d have to dry my hair, use a curling iron, tons of icky hairspray and products to get it to stay. Oh and did I mention it’d take me about half the day? HA- no joke! Jessica managed to wash, dry and style my hair in just about an hour. I was seriously amazed. It turned out be-YOU-tiful!

If you guys are looking to be pampered (did I mention they offer their clients complimentary wine and champagne?!?) and for a beautiful hair style, then please check out Belo Blow Dry Bar!

Belo not only offers hair styling services they also do makeup, and you can even host your next party there… Hello?? Bridal showers, girls night outs? How fun would that be? Think Christmas parties, birthdays… Heck! Why do we even need an excuse? Just go in to relax and get beautified… sounds good to me!

Give it a try guys, you won’t be sorry! Tell them OC Family Mom Ambassador Alisa sent you!

Belo Blow Dry Bar:

949.494.9714

302 Forest Ave.
Laguna Beach, CA, 92651
(upstairs at the corner of Forest Ave. and Beach St.)

“like” them on Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/beloblowdrybar?ref=br_tf

Follow them on Instagram: BeloBlowDryBar

Younique Mascara Review

Normally I would not promote buying cosmetics as a gift. It’s just too hard. You don’t know what colors people like, whats going to look good on them, etc…

Well, today I want to talk to you about a product I’ve fallen in love with-Younique’s 3D Fiber Lash Mascara .

We all wear mascara, right? Let me tell ya, I’ve tried them ALL! I’ve tried out the super expensive brands- NOT satisfied with any of them, kept searching for more. I’ve tried the cheap brands- same story… the search continues.

I met Julianne Mahoney at a Harvest Festival I attended and discovered this mascara for myself. At the time I met her, she had one eye done in the mascara and one eye sans mascara. The comparison was absolutely unbelievable. I knew had to have this stuff. This product sells for $29, which to me, is well worth the price after seeing what they do!

I’ve been using this product for about a week now, and the transformation is incredible! I’ve even gotten a few compliments on how long my lashes are (which really, they’re not!)

Take a look at some pics (sorry for the not so great quality- these were taken myself, in my bathroom, super early in the morning while getting ready for the day. You’ll get the idea!)

BEFORE:

AFTER:

The process of achieving these lashes is a little different then a typical mascara. You may have noticed in my photo above that the mascara has 2 tubes included in the cute little black case that it comes in. Step 1 to the process is applying the “transplanting gel” (aka: normal mascara) apply this as you would normal mascara. Step 2: apply the “fibers” which let me mention to you, these fibers are made out of pure green tea fibers, apply these fibers to the ends of your lashes- you’ll notice immediately how these fibers add instant length to your lashes. Step 3 apply the transplanting gel again over the fibers to “seal” them in. That’s it. Your done! It’s a pretty simple process. And the results are almost false-eyelash like. TRUE story, this stuff makes a noticeable difference!

*I’m definitely not a model, ha* But really? I mean look at that! That’s pretty incredible for my almost non-existent eye lashes.

Ok, now I’m having a little too much fun!

I think this product would be great for the beauty/cosmetic lover in your life (we ALL know that person!) Sisters, mom’s, girlfriends. This product really is giftable to pretty much anyone who wears mascara!

Check out this product and more great items from Younique

Contact Julianne Mahoney to order, or set up an online party to earn discounts and free product.

http://www.byjulianne.com/

714-269-1084

Homemade Apple Butter

My husband Brandon and I ditched all that Black Friday shopping this year, for a lovely, peaceful, STUNNING hike up in Big Bear. The weather was GORGEOUS! A crisp 60 degrees, but still sunny. I really think that is my ideal weather (most of the year anyways). We went on about a 5 mile hike up Cougar Canyon trail, stopped at the top, had a little snack and wine and then headed back down.

It was about 3 in the afternoon when we completed our hike, and I knew I didn’t want to head back home to OC just yet. I knew that Oak Glen was just at the bottom of the mountain, so we ended up stopping there for a bit on the way back. Let me tell you, Oak Glen was a perfect FALL wonderland. I’m not exaggerating at all when I say that!

Lookie here:

Isn’t it perfect? Ahhhhh. It made up for all that un-fall-like weather we got here in the OC.

We even stopped at a super cute old fashioned coffee shop and had coffees and a yummy apple bread sundae.

It was picture perfect and I didn’t really want to leave. But we had to.

Brandon suggested we should pick up some apples on our way out of the quaint little town head back home and make some homemade apple pies.

Which is exactly what we did. Except we didn’t just make one apple pie. Who knew that 9 pounds of apples would make 2 apple pies (a traditional, and a dutch apple) 4 large apple turnovers, and a ginormous crock pot full of apple butter.

Brandon helped me peel, core and cut up all the apples. It was super fun being in the kitchen with him! And let me mention to you we have 5 different varieties of apples, handpicked for us by one of the employees at the little apple stand we stopped at. He knew exactly what apples would work perfectly in an apple pie! The apples included pippins, rome beauties, old fashioned, granny smiths and golden apples. Here is the wonderful recipe I used for my homemade crockpot apple butter and it was delish! I could eat it by the spoonful, yum.

Ingredients:

Apples, peeled, cored, and cut into large sections. (enough to fill your Crockpot to the top)
1 1/2 cups granulated sugar
1 1/2 cups packed brown sugar
1 tbsp cinnamon
1/2 tsp ground nutmeg
1/4 tsp ground cloves
1/4 tsp salt
1 tbsp vanilla
2 tsp lemon juice

Directions:

Fill Crockpot with prepared apples.
In separate bowl combine and stir, granulated sugar, brown sugar, cinnamon, nutmeg, cloves, and salt.
Pour sugar and spice mixture over apples.
Turn Crockpot onto low and cook apples for 10 hours. After first 1-2 hours gently stir in the sugar mixture to coat the apples.
After 10 hours take lid off and stir. Your mixture will be very dark and cooked down by about half the capacity of your Crockpot.
Stir in lemon juice, and vanilla.
Taste your apple butter for sweetness. You can adjust accordingly to your taste by adding more sugar if needed.
At the end of the cooking time, use an emulsion blender to smooth the apple butter.
Spoon into clean mason jars, and cover tightly with jar lid and ring. You should eventually hear that ‘pop’ (approx 1/2 hour after jarred) that tells you that the mason jars are sealed and airtight! Be sure to leave room at the top of the jar if you are planning on freezing.

This recipe made about 7 (200 ml) mason jars full of apple butter.

This makes for the cutest little gift. And if you know me, and you are super lucky, you may just be receiving one

It’s Been a While… Oh and Monkey Bread.

Oh hey there. I feel like it’s been forever since I’ve written one of these blogs. Especially one that includes a recipe. We’ve been swamped with holiday stuff, as I’m sure most of you have been.
Here’s a little glimpse into my December through photos:

We attended my Hubby’s company Christmas party at the beautiful Surf and Sand hotel in Laguna Beach. It’s always fun to get all fancied up and drink free wine

Wouldn’t you agree?

The kids and I started a new way of celebrating the Advent season by reading the Jesse Tree devotional together every day. It was so special to do this (and complete it successfully) and learn about the birth of Jesus with a child-friendly way of explaining the Christmas story with scripture as well.

I’ve made a not-so new years resolution to learn to play guitar again. In fact, it’s not going to be a ‘resolution’, but a priority of mine to learn to play in 2015. Anyone out there want to teach me?

If not, You Tube here I come, ha!

My boy won the hockey championship for his league. We are SO proud of him!

We had a beautiful Christmas with family. It was really nice, quiet and low key. Just what I love…
I made Monkey Bread-

Oh ooey gooey cinnamon sugary monkey bread. This may just become a new Christmas tradition for our family. I prepped this Christmas morning at home, then brought it over to my mom-in-law’s, popped it in their oven and by the time the kiddos were done opening gifts, it was ready. This bread makes the house smell heavenly, and it’s SO good eaten warm right out of the oven with a cup of coffee. Now don’t get me wrong, this doesn’t just have to be a breakfast thing. I served it last night for dessert with a scoop of vanilla ice cream. Although the one mistake I made was I didn’t serve it warm. It really needs to be warm!
Here’s the EASY easy recipe courtesy of Pilsbury!