Three Peaks Manuka Honey Smoothie Bowl | My Morning Go-To

Manuka honey is ALL the rage lately. Its luxurious taste along with its health, wellness and healing properties have made it highly desirable. I remember first hearing about it when I was watching Keeping Up with The Kardashians a while back and immediately was really intrigued! I recently discovered Three Peaks Manuka Honey and was so impressed at the background story, benefits, and how it can be used in so many recipes!

Three Peaks was born from a passion for New Zealand’s volcanic central plateau and a desire to produce the world’s most magnificent Manuka honey. Three Peaks' commitment to producing the best means they actively contribute to sustainable land management, conservation of precious indigenous ecosystems and nurturing a healthy bee population.

Three Peaks Manuka Honey can be traced back to the hives and location it comes from. Three Peaks is a proud member of the Unique Manuka Factor Honey Association (UMFHA).

The flavor, texture, taste and aroma is unparalleled and adding it to any recipe instantly sweetens and heightens the flavor of your meal of choice! I have become such a huge fan and believe in this brand so much knowing that their work comes from such a good place with the best intentions.

Here is a fabulous morning smoothie bowl recipe using Three Peaks Manuka Honey! Not only is it pretty, but it will hold you over and will satisfy your sweet tooth to get you ready for your day ahead!

Strawberry Banana Smoothie Bowl

Ingredients: 

1 frozen banana

1 ½ cups frozen strawberries

1 ½ cups coconut milk (or the milk of your choice e.g. soy, nut milk etc)

Ingredients for the Top:

A drizzle of Three Peaks Manuka Honey

Some broken up pieces Three Peaks honeycomb for texture

Your favourite raw or lightly toasted nuts

Sesame, sunflower or pumpkin seeds

Chia seeds or goji berries

Fresh sliced banana or strawberries

Directions:

Combine these ingredients in a blender until thick and completely smooth. Pour into a beautiful bowl and top with your favourite toppings for extra nutrition, crunch and texture.

The Yummiest Peanut Butter Chocolate Chip Cookie Recipe | Pic's Peanut Butter

I can honestly say that one of my weaknesses in life is a good peanut butter chocolate chip cookie. One that just melts in your mouth and the kitchen gets filled with a delightful aroma that leaves only one thing on your mind: getting your hands on one of those cookies!

I have always been a peanut butter lover, but I am pretty particular about the ones that I buy because I believe in using brands that are 100% natural! Gone are the days where yummy desserts mean heaps of artificial ingredients that you leave you feeling guilty after indulging.

My go-to for any of my recipes that call peanut butter? Pic’s Really Good Peanut Butter! Founded in 2007 by Pic Picot, New Zealand-based Pic’s Peanut Butter is New Zealand's #1 selling peanut butter and is peanut butter worth eating.  Made from the finest quality Hi-Oleic peanuts from Australia that are fresh roasted and lovingly squashed in Nelson, Pic’s then quick seals its peanut butter to preserve freshness and flavour.  Pic’s is all-natural, is gluten and sugar free and has no additives – simply peanuts and a trace of Kiwi salt, the unsalted version containing 100% peanuts.  Pic’s Peanut Butter is NON GMO Verified.  I loooove the salt-less Original, but it actually comes in four varieties are offered: Original (Crunchy), Original (Crunchy, no salt), Smooth and Smooth (no salt). Whichever you prefer, I can honestly say this peanut butter certainly does not disappoint.

Pic’s PB blended into a delicious chocolate cookie is simply the perfect combination worthy of an award! The peanut butter and chocolate mix cannot be beat, and the best part is you don’t have to feel guilty about indulging!

Here’s my recipe for a batch of delightful Pic’s PB Chocolate Chip Cookies! And if your sweet tooth is really calling, turn your cookie into an ice cream sandwich by sandwiching your favorite gelato between two.

Pic's Peanut Butter Chocolate Chip Cookies

Ingredients: 

1 cup Pic's Peanut Butter

3/4 cup light brown sugar

1 large egg

1 teaspoon baking soda

1 cup milk chocolate chips

Instructions:

Preheat oven to 350 degrees.

Mix all ingredients except chocolate chips. When blended, mix in the chocolate chips. Using your fingers, form 1½ inch balls (dough will be very wet and sticky) and place onto a lined baking tray.

Space well as they spread during baking. Bake for 7-9 minutes. Let the cookies cool on the baking sheet for a couple of minutes before moving to a rack.  Makes around a dozen small cookies.

Red, White & Boozy 4th of July Drink Recipes

4th of July just a few days away and I couldn't be more excited! Independence Day is actually my favorite holiday, partially because I am a huge American history nerd and also because I am obsessed with all the star spangled fun that comes with the entire weekend. How could you not love all the patriotic festivities, the fireworks, the barbecues and of course all of the festive drinks? Each year, I love experimenting and trying unique 4th of July cocktails that not only taste yummy, but look really pretty too (come on, you know you want to Insta a cute one). Here are a few festive cocktail recipes that will be sure to make your 4th of July holiday nothing but Red, White & Boozy!

Go with a crowd pleaser!

You can't go wrong with some great sangria. I'm loving Christina Milian's Strawberry Viva Diva Wine because it's high quality sweet Moscato wine infused with strawberry flavor and is super affordable. If you're planning a big get together with friends, this is a drink that everyone will  love, and will make your job that much easier as a host. Plus, it'll make for great conversation - Christina Milian: singer, actor, and now has her own line of delicious wines?

 Talk about a triple threat!

Red, White & Blue Sangria with

Christina Milian's Viva Diva Wine

Ingredients:

 1 bottle of Viva Diva’s Strawberry Moscato

 1 ½  cups cranberry juice

 1 cup brandy

Juice from one large orange

2 cups fresh blueberries

7 ounces’ fresh red raspberries

6 ounces’ blackberries

 1 large apple red apple

Directions:

1.    In a large pitcher add wine, cranberry juice, brandy, and orange juice.

2.    Add blueberries, raspberries, blackberries and apple.

3.    Chill overnight

4.    When ready to serve, fill half of glass with ice add fruit from pitcher and pour the sangria in the glass.

Make your cocktail game easier!

You know those mini 50ml bottles at your local liquor store? Take advantage of the minimal measuring and use them for simple and delicious 4th of July concoctions! 

RED: Stars and Stripes

1 bottle (50 ml) Jose Cuervo Tradicional

50 ml grapefruit juice 

10 ml Campari

10 ml Fresh Lime Juice

10 ml Simple Syrup 

Build the drink in an ice-filled mason jar, top with club soda and garnish with an orange slice.

WHITE: Boodles the Beautiful

1 bottle (50 ml) Boodles Gin

10 ml Luxardo Maraschino Liqueur

10 ml Fresh Lemon Juice

1 can San Pellegrino Pompelmo

Build the drink in an ice-filled mason jar. Add the gin, liqueur and lemon juice, then top with San Pellegrino Pompelmo.

BLUE: Fresh Picked Freedom

1 bottle (50 ml) Hangar 1 Vodka

20 ml Fresh Lemon Juice

20 ml Simple Syrup

Club Soda

Handful of Blueberries, plus more for garnish

6 Fresh Mint Leaves, plus more for garnish

Add the blueberries, mint, lemon juice and simple syrup into a mixing tin, give it a quick muddle, then add the vodka. Add ice and shake. Strain into an ice-filled mason jar and top with club soda and garnish with a mint sprig and some blueberries. 

Introducing... the new Bacardí Raspberry!

If you're throwing a party this Independence Day, a punch is one of the most convenient (and easiest ways to get guests feeling in the mood to celebrate) drinks to serve. Bacardí's newest released flavor, Raspberry makes for the most Instagram-worthy patriotic color... not to mention its mouth-watering berry and citrus taste! If you're a lover of sweet and sour, you'll be craving Bacardí Raspberry since it's got such a yummy sweet and tart blend. It's the perfect summertime rum to incorporate into your punch this 4th of July!

BACARDÍ Red Rum Punch

Ingredients:

1.5 parts BACARDÍ Raspberry

1.5 parts BACARDÍ Limon

1.5 parts BACARDÍ Superior

1 part Grenadine

4 parts Sweet & Sour

1 part cranberry juice

Mint & lemon for garnish

Top it off with a sprig of fresh mint and a lemon wedge slice for a beautiful garnish that complement the rum's flavor profile.

Happy 4th of July!

New Amsterdam Vodka Presents "It's Your Town": Event Recap

On June 23rd, New Amsterdam Vodka held its "It's Your Town" party at LAB Art Los Angeles on La Brea and teamed up with local LA street artist, Moncho1929 to showcase his art and celebrate with none other than New Amsterdam Vodka! 

Photo by: New Amsterdam Vodka

Photo by: New Amsterdam Vodka

I was so excited to attend this event, and brought my brother Steven who is very into the art scene along with me. I have a huge respect for street artists and was so excited to learn more about Moncho1929. His work has actually appeared in the French Consulate, Soho House, Times Square and even on NBC'S "The Voice." New Amsterdam Vodka and Moncho1929 came together to celebrate the vibrant culture and people of Los Angeles.

Photo by: New Amsterdam Vodka

Photo by: New Amsterdam Vodka

Photo by: New Amsterdam Vodka

First thing's first: the New Amsterdam Vodka featured cocktail: the Dam Good Mule. New Amsterdam Vodka's twist on the Moscow Mule! Warning: this drink is insanely good.. and hard to put down! It is so refreshing and really enjoyable to sip on. It is just the right amount of sweet (and a little bubbly, too), but still had that punch from the vodka to balance out the flavors. I am usually a tequila person, but I became so obsessed with the Dam Good Mule - which says a lot! What I love the most about it is that it's so simple to make and it can be made at home to enjoy whenever. Yay!

Here's how to make it: 

Dam Good Mule Recipe:

5 liters New Amsterdam

3 liters Top Hat Mule Concentrate

10 liters of COLD/Purified Water

(ingredients above make one 5 gallon korney keg)

Garnish with a Lime Wheel & Fresh Mint

Photo by: New Amsterdam Vodka

Photo by: New Amsterdam Vodka

Photo by: New Amsterdam Vodka

Moncho1929's work was placed throughout the entire space amongst other artists. I personally loved all of his pieces that actually featured New Amsterdam Vodka! He incorporated the bottle in his artwork in such creative ways. My favorite was a piece he did that was a very colorful portrait of a lifeguard stand with a surfboard leaning up against it. The surfboard design had an illustration of New Amsterdam Vodka on it which I thought was so cool and unexpected. Another one that really stood out to me was an image of a big gun that had microphones attached to the top of it, mimicking a camera. I would assume that it's referencing the power that the media has over people, and it's very clever how he depicted that.

Photo by: New Amsterdam Vodka

Photo by: New Amsterdam Vodka

I also loved the awesome graffiti screen that allowed guests to actually create their own art for the entire party to see. Seriously, when each person had their own chance to get up there in front of the screen, everyone surrounded you and anxiously awaited the message or drawing you'd be putting up there! I wrote "The Gilded Bellini <3 New Amsterdam Vodka" (Of course). Then, my design was transferred on to a t-shirt so I could save it forever. 

I really was blown away at how well New Amsterdam Vodka and Moncho1929 teamed up and created such a truly unique event. Since New Amsterdam Vodka was actually incorporated into his work, it really set the event apart from traditional gallery and cocktail parties. I walked away with even more of an appreciation for street art, a newfound love for New Amsterdam Vodka, and an obsession with the Dam Good Mule. It was just too dam good to be true. ;)

Photo by: New Amsterdam Vodka

Your New Go-To Backyard Brunch Sliders: The Crispy Fried Chicken Recipe from The Hudson

Summer is finally here! You know what that means: every warm summery afternoon (or evening if you're planning a bbq) is an excuse to throw a backyard brunch! Whether you're planning a small gathering, or a party where guests can bring a +12, it's so important to offer unique and "easy to pop in your mouth" dishes that have your guests coming back for seconds... or even thirds! But who says you need to stick with the traditional hot dogs and cheeseburgers? Blow your guests away with something new and unexpected. Not sure what to offer that will be a guaranteed people pleaser? 

I'm loving (and promising that your guests will be obsessed) with Crispy Fried Chicken and Coleslaw that can be put together for sliders! Just add fries on the side. I am a huge fan of this dish from The Hudson in West Hollywood, and so thrilled that anyone anywhere can make this for their backyard summer soirée. It's such a simple recipe! Whether you've got a glass of rosé or a beer in hand (beer will actually "cleanse the palate" for any spicy food or food made with oil), this is the perfect slider recipe to replace your usual, traditional hamburger slider. 

Here's how to make it: 

Crispy Fried Chicken for Sliders

Ingredients:

· Half gallon buttermilk

· 3 heaping tbsp. Spanish paprika

· 4 heaping tbsp. granulated garlic

· 2 heaping tbsp. onion powder

· 2 tbsp. cayenne pepper

· small pinch oregano

· small pinch thyme

· good pinch salt

· good pinch pepper

Instructions: Whisk all together in a container that will fit your chicken, marinate

and fry to perfection.

 

Coleslaw Dressing:

Ingredients:

· 1/2 gallon mayonnaise

· 3 tbsp. sugar

· small pinch salt

· splash apple cider vinegar

Instructions: Whisk all ingredients together in a large bowl. The dressing should taste

sweet but with a tangy punch from the apple cider vinegar.

More from The Hudson!

Will you be in LA this weekend? Dollar Beer Night kicks off Sunday, July 3rd at The Hudson! July's Beer of The Month is the Abita featuring the Bright Summer Ale. Enjoy $1 Abita's Bright Summer Ale on July 4th, and throughout the month of July, Abita's Bright Summer Ale will be $5.

 

May you and your guests enjoy your new go-to summer backyard brunch Crispy Fried Chicken Sliders!