Tequila, Sunsets and a Mexican Feast in San Diego (Story + Recipes)

San Diego Sunset
San Diego Sunset

I recently got back from an amazing trip to San Diego – one so lovely and rejuvenating that the sunsets are burned into my brain, leaving me wishing for more of the bright colorful skies, fresh air, palm trees swaying in the wind and cool sand between my toes.

The San Diego Crew
The San Diego Crew

This is a fun trip that started last year with an amazing group of friends and has now turned into a yearly tradition.

Beach House
Beach House

Seven of my friends and I rented a gorgeous beach house on Mission Beach in San Diego –

Beach House Room
Beach House Room

Our house had two levels, two kitchens, five bedrooms, a beach front patio, two grills, plus another two patios outside,

Upstairs
Upstairs

all with stunning views of the ocean from every angle and every room.

Windows
Windows

It all started as a birthday celebration trip for my friend Suzanne last year and now with another birthday girl, my dear friend Linda. Plus five other cool cats I’m proud to be friends with: Paula, Cris, Jackie, Janis and Andrew. What a crew.

Kristen and Paula
Kristen and Paula

great friends..

Janis-Paula-Suzanne
Janis-Paula-Suzanne

great times…

Andrew-Cris
Andrew-Cris

enjoying each other’s company with a Corona or two…

Mission Beach
Mission Beach

taking in the stunning views..

Mission Beach Boardwalk
Mission Beach Boardwalk

people watching on the boardwalk..

Seagull at Dusk
Seagull at Dusk

and making new friends.

Kristen-Paula-Linda
Kristen-Paula-Linda

There’s something about California that makes me feel relaxed, happy, and in a totally different world than the one I live in New York City.

San Diego
San Diego

No crazy traffic or cars honking, just beautiful beaches and cool, relaxed people up early for morning jogs and bike rides, swaying palm trees,

Magenta Sunsets
Magenta Sunsets

hazy blue and pink sunrises, and breathtaking bright magenta and orange sunsets that will blow you away.

Beach Houses
Beach Houses

The boardwalk is lined with colorful pastel houses and bungalows that look like Jordan almonds lined up in the sand.

Sand Volleyball players
Sand Volleyball players

We took daily walks down the beach, watching the surfers and volleyball players,

Surf's Up
Surf’s Up

catching some rays down by Crystal Pier while gazing out into the turquoise blue water.

Foodie Excursions
Foodie Excursions

To satisfy our foodie fix, we grabbed a fish taco and a Bloody Mary (or two) at the little beach side cafes and food stands on the boardwalk while soaking in the sunshine.

Patio Surfing
Patio Surfing

We took advantage of our gorgeous views and drank plenty of tequila and margaritas out on our beach front patio playing penny can, laughing and telling stories,

Frolicking on the beach
Frolicking on the beach

and frolicking on the beach at sunset like fools.

The Bar
The Bar

With a large group of eight people that all love to eat and drink, we spent over $1500 on our grocery bill and stocking our bar so we could take advantage of our two kitchens and grills and had massive amounts of cooking and eating (and drinking) going on each day. I swore after this trip I would never eat again – but that didn’t last long.

Jackie's Famous Eggs
Jackie’s Famous Eggs

Jackie made her Famous Eggs with Sausage, Mushrooms and Cheese, served with my Spicy Fried Potatoes, toasted bagels and plenty of bacon and mimosas to go around and feed the masses. Best Breakfast EVER.

Sunset Grilled Feast
Sunset Grilled Feast

Cris was our designated grill master, who made us a delicious feast at sunset with heaps of tender grilled steak,  shrimp and veggies – love those baby peppers on the grill!

Cooking up a storm
Cooking up a storm

Paula made us a yummy Chicken dish stuffed with Prosciutto, Sage and Provolone which I gladly assisted with while multi-tasking by drinking my Sauv Blanc with a HUGE mitt (just in case that wine glass gets too hot – LOL).

IMG_3376

She also made us a Flaky Egg Bake for Suzanne’s birthday breakfast – with layers of buttery phyllo dough filled with sausage, eggs, cheese, peppers, mushrooms, onions and baked into a yummy casserole fit for a Queen (ahem, Suzanne..)

Andrew's Chicken Marsala
Andrew’s Chicken Marsala

Janice and Andrew made their delicious Italian lunch of Caprese Salad made with fresh tomatoes, garlic, basil, olive oil and balsamic vinegar with prosciutto, olives and fresh Italian bread, accompanied by a few bottles of great wine. They also made a delicious Italian meal of Chicken Marsala over pasta with fresh parmesan cheese, parsley and Sauteed Asparagus and Brussels Sprouts for our last night in town – totally delicious and gone in five seconds FLAT.

Mexican Feast
Mexican Feast

My designated meal was to make a feast for Mexican night – when i say feast, i mean FEAST – we had enough food to feed the entire Mission Beach strip and enough leftovers that we seriously thought about donating it to a homeless person so we didn’t have to throw it out if we didn’t finish it all up the next day!

Guacamole
Guacamole

My Mexican menu included fresh Pico de Gallo, fresh Guacamole with lots of cilantro and lime and some jalapeno,

Tequila Lime Shrimp
Tequila Lime Shrimp

Grilled Marinated Steak with Lemon and Herbs and Sauteed Lime and Tequila Shrimp to go with the tortillas for tacos and burritos,

Chicken Enchilada Casserole
Chicken Enchilada Casserole

I also made a cheesy baked Chicken Enchilada Casserole,

Mexican Sides
Mexican Sides

Red Mexican Rice, Tortillas, Sour Cream, Warm Queso Cheese Dip, Hot Sauce and PLENTY of Margaritas to go around for at least three more days.

Pool sharks
Pool sharks

I think we all fell into a serious food coma by Night #3 and decided to kick it up a notch and wake ourselves up with some music and a few games of pool after dinner, and even some video games with the help of services as overwatch boost.

Stunningly Spooky Sunset
Stunningly Spooky Sunset

After all the eating and feasting, a breathtakingly spooky view appeared when the sun went down. We missed the Green Flash though – which apparently happens for a split second as soon as the sun goes over the horizon line and sinks into the abyss.

Night Out on the Town
Night Out on the Town

Jackie, Cris and I headed out to the bars for some debauchery and drinking activities at the local bars, involving Cinnamon Whiskey shots (ordered by Cris)..FIRE IN THE HOLE! 🙂

Breathtaking bask in the glow
Breathtaking bask in the glow

My favorite moment of the entire trip was basking in the glow of that big orange fireball in the sky one evening, dreaming of the day I can return to this lovely, lovely place. Until then, I’ve had my fill of tequila and Mexican feasts to last me another year. The sunsets? I never get tired of those – especially when they look like this.

California Guacamole with a Kick

Ingredients

  • 6 avocados
  • Juice from 2 limes
  • 2 cloves garlic, minced
  • 1/2 purple onion, minced
  • 4 Roma tomatoes, chopped
  • 1/4 cup cilantro leaves, chopped
  • 2 jalapeno peppers, minced fine, stems and seeds removed
  • 1 teaspoon cumin
  • Kosher Salt and fresh ground black pepper to taste
  • Dash of hot sauce

Instructions

  1. Cut avocados in half and remove the pit. Scoop out the flesh into a large mixing bowl and squeeze lime juice on immediately (to prevent the avocado from oxidation and browning). Mash avocado well with a fork until slightly smooth but still a little bit chunky.
  2. Add garlic, onion, tomatoes, jalapenos, cumin, salt and pepper, and hot sauce. Adjust seasonings to taste.
  3. Cover with plastic wrap tightly and let sit in the refrigerator for at least 30 minutes or more to let the flavors meld.
  4. Serve with tortillas, chips, veggies or crackers with fresh made salsa (tomatoes, onion, cilantro, jalapeno, salt and pepper) and plenty of margaritas to go around.
https://www.theartfulgourmet.com/2013/02/tequila-sunsets-and-a-mexican-feast-in-san-diego-a-true-story-recipes/

Sauteed Tequila Lime Shrimp

Prep Time: 1 hour

Cook Time: 10 minutes

Total Time: 1 hour, 10 minutes

Yield: 8

Ingredients

  • 2 pounds of shrimp, peeled and deveined
  • 1 cup tequila, divided in half
  • Juice from 2 fresh limes (about 1/2 cup)
  • 1/2 teaspoon cayenne pepper
  • 1/2 teaspoon red chile flakes
  • 1 tablespoon chili powder
  • 1 jalapeno pepper, deveined and seeded, minced
  • 1/4 cup olive oil for marinade, plus 1 tablespoon for cooking
  • 2 tablespoons butter
  • 1 cup fresh cilantro leaves, chopped
  • Kosher salt and freshly ground pepper to taste

Instructions

  1. Wash and drain shrimp, and place in a medium bowl.
  2. Mix together 1/2 cup of tequila, lime juice, cayenne pepper, chile flakes, chili powder, jalapeno pepper, and olive oil in a separate bowl and pour over the shrimp. Cover with plastic wrap and let marinate for at least 30 minutes to 1 hour. Drain and discard marinade off shrimp in a colander or with a slotted spoon and set shrimp aside.
  3. Heat a large saute pan over medium-high heat. Add 1 tablespoon of olive oil to the pan and heat for a minute or so. Add additional 1/2 cup of tequila to the saute pan (with pan removed off the burner to avoid flames!).
  4. Add 1/2 of the marinated shrimp to the heated saute pan and cook for about 2 minutes. Remove shrimp from the pan and set aside. Add the rest of the shrimp to the pan and cook for another 2 minutes until pink.
  5. Add two tablespoons of butter to the saute pan and return first batch of shrimp, adding it to the shrimp in the pan and saute while tossing the pan for another 2 minutes or so. Sprinkle salt and pepper into the shrimp to taste and mix through for another 30 seconds to 1 minute.
  6. Serve the shrimp on a platter with the tequila-lime-butter sauce on top with a side of tortillas and all the dressings: guacamole, cilantro, hot sauce, sour cream, rice to make tacos or burritos.

Notes

Recipe inspired by Oprah.com

https://www.theartfulgourmet.com/2013/02/tequila-sunsets-and-a-mexican-feast-in-san-diego-a-true-story-recipes/

Layered Chicken Enchilada Casserole

Prep Time: 45 minutes

Cook Time: 30 minutes

Total Time: 1 hour, 15 minutes

Yield: 8-10

Ingredients

  • 1 tablespoon olive oil
  • 1/2 large sweet onion, diced
  • 1 teaspoon cayenne pepper
  • 1 tablespoon hot pepper sauce
  • 2 garlic cloves, minced
  • Kosher salt and fresh ground pepper, to taste
  • 8 boneless skinless chicken breasts (about 1 1/2 pounds), poached and shredded
  • 1 32-ounce container of chicken stock (for poaching chicken)
  • 2 cans of red enchilada sauce
  • 9 flour tortillas (large burrito size)
  • 2 cups of shredded Mexican-blend cheese
  • 1 14-ounce can of crushed tomatoes
  • Fresh cilantro, chopped for garnish
  • Sour cream, for garnish

Instructions

  1. Preheat oven to 350 degrees F.
  2. In a large saute pan, heat olive oil over medium heat. Add onion, cayenne, salt and pepper and hot sauce. Saute for about 5 minutes until onion is soft and golden. Add minced garlic and saute for another 2 minutes. Remove onion-garlic mixture from heat and set aside in a large mixing bowl.
  3. To poach chicken breasts, heat chicken stock in a large Dutch oven or high-sided saute pan and cook chicken breasts in the stock, covered, for approximately 10-15 minutes. Turn off the heat and let chicken sit in the pot (still covered) for another 10-15 minutes.
  4. Remove chicken breasts from the stock on to a platter and let cool for a few minutes. Shred the chicken with 2 forks and add to the onion-garlic mixture in to the mixing bowl.
  5. Spread 1/2 of the enchilada sauce from one can on the bottom of a rectangular glass casserole dish. Place three tortillas over the sauce, overlapping.
  6. Top the layer of tortillas with 1/4 of the chicken-onion mixture, spreading evenly over the casserole dish. Top with 1/4 of the crushed tomatoes and 1/4 cup of shredded cheese.
  7. Repeat 3 times until you have four layers and have used up all the enchilada sauce, tortillas, chicken-onion mixture, crushed tomatoes and shredded cheese. (Like making a Mexican Lasagna!)
  8. Place casserole dish in the preheated oven and bake for 30 minutes until the cheese on top is bubbly and golden brown.
  9. Remove from the oven and let cool for about 5-10 minutes. Cut into squares and serve with chopped cilantro and sour cream.

Notes

Can also make casserole with ground beef or steak, and it can be made in a circular or oval casserole baking dish rather than rectangular if preferred.

Recipe inspired by Williams-Sonoma.

https://www.theartfulgourmet.com/2013/02/tequila-sunsets-and-a-mexican-feast-in-san-diego-a-true-story-recipes/

Spanish Red Rice with Jalapenos and Cilantro

Prep Time: 15 minutes

Cook Time: 30 minutes

Total Time: 45 minutes

Yield: 8

Ingredients

  • 2 tablespoons olive oil
  • 2 jalapeno peppers, seeded, deveined and minced
  • 3 cloves garlic, minced
  • 1/2 sweet yellow onion, diced
  • 2 cups of long grain rice
  • 1/2 cup water
  • 1/2 cup chicken stock
  • 1 15-ounce can of crushed tomatoes
  • Kosher salt and pepper, to taste
  • Cilantro, for garnish

Instructions

  1. Heat olive oil over medium-high heat and saute jalapenos, garlic and onion about 5 minutes in a large saute pan.
  2. Add the rice to the saute pan and cook, stirring often, until rice is browned slightly another 5 minutes.
  3. Pour water, chicken stock and crushed tomatoes into the pan and season with salt and pepper.
  4. Cover and cook for about 15-20 minutes until rice has absorbed all the liquid and is cooked through.
  5. Remove rice from heat, uncover and fluff with a fork. Add rice to a large serving bowl and garnish with fresh cilantro for serving.

Notes

Feel free to add some fresh cooked corn, red or green peppers or peas to the rice for additional flavors.

Recipe inspired by Saveur.

https://www.theartfulgourmet.com/2013/02/tequila-sunsets-and-a-mexican-feast-in-san-diego-a-true-story-recipes/

All photographs, copy and recipes are copyrighted by Kristen Hess/The Artful Gourmet © 2010-2013. Please do not share, use or distribute this content without granted permission from me. Thanks!

Published! Food Styling & Photography for Gary Null’s NEW Vegan Cookbook..Hot off the Press!

GNCookbook-hero
Anti-Arthritis, Anti-Inflammation Cookbook: Healing through Natural Foods
Anti-Arthritis, Anti-Inflammation Cookbook: Healing through Natural Foods

Yay! The time has finally arrived – the cookbook I shot and styled for Gary Null Power Foods arrived on my doorstep yesterday, HOT off the press!

I styled and shot this cookbook last August-September and it was a 6-week process with plenty of long days and nights, cooking, styling and shooting, with lots of laughter and intensity, for Gary Null’s new cookbook titled Anti-Arthritis, Anti-Inflammation Cookbook: Healing through Natural Foods. The cookbook has over 270 recipes that are Vegan, Vegetarian and Raw Food based on the premise of promoting a healthy diet while preventing and reversing arthritis, diabetes, cancer and inflammation through eating raw, vegan and power foods.

I worked with Gary and his editorial team throughout the process to interpret the recipes into appealing, fresh and healthy images for the cookbook. I also collaborated side by side with two amazing Chefs; Wes Wobles and William Shear, day and night (literally!) to turn the recipes into beautifully plated works of art which were styled meticulously in the kitchen and by myself on set, to create the perfect final beauty shot.

I’m very proud to have been the stylist and photographer on this awesome project and part of this dynamic project team that made the cookbook come to life in such a short time – it turned out beautifully with full color photos, a clean design and a comprehensive healthy eating program that might turn any meat-loving carnivore into a Vegan or Vegetarian just yet! The recipes are simple and easy to prepare with raw ingredients including grains, fruits, vegetables, and non-meat soy proteins flavored with plenty of fresh herbs and seasonings. There are recipes for Breakfast, Lunch and Dinner, Salads, Soups and Desserts plus plenty of sauces and dips along with healthy appetizers. Gary also explains the nutritional aspects to a Vegan and Vegetarian Raw food diet with an eating plan spelled out and easy to follow.

Light, healthy and fresh is the name of the game in this cookbook, and it’s arrived just in time for Spring to lighten up your diet and get healthy! Who knew eating meat-free could be so tasty? I just might give it a try 🙂

Purchase a copy of the book online

View gallery of some of my fav photos I shot for the book

Kudos to the Cookbook Team!
Kudos to the Cookbook Team!
Kind Testimonial from Gary Null
Kind Testimonial from Gary Null

Entrees

Fettucine Asparagus

Cauliflower Hummus

Salads-intro

Salads

Soups

Sauces

Gingerbread

Breakfast

Apple Banana Turnovers

Desserts

Here’s a few of my favorite photos from the photoshoot:

Mushroom Bean Curry with Butternut Squash
Mushroom Bean Curry with Butternut Squash
Poached Peaches with Raspberry Sauce
Poached Peaches with Raspberry Sauce
Coconut Cherry Ice Cream
Coconut Cherry Ice Cream
Penne Pasta and Kidney Bean Soup
Penne Pasta and Kidney Bean Soup
Stewed Plums
Stewed Plums
Fennel and Pecan Salad with Peaches
Fennel and Pecan Salad with Peaches
Sweet and Sour Bean Stew
Sweet and Sour Bean Stew
Chickpea Burger and Baked Sweet Potato Chips
Chickpea Burger and Baked Sweet Potato Chips
Spaghetti with Eggplant Marinara
Spaghetti with Eggplant Marinara
Sticky Sweet Rice with Papaya
Sticky Sweet Rice with Papaya
Lentil Curry
Lentil Curry
Bulgur and Vegetables
Bulgur and Vegetables
Bammie Cakes
Bammie Cakes
Apple Cinnamon French Toast
Apple Cinnamon French Toast
Bitters Sweet Salad
Bitters Sweet Salad
Millet Coriander Stir Fry
Millet Coriander Stir Fry

And now for some fun behind the scenes shots on set:

Test Shoot
Test Shoot
Chef Wes Wobles in the Kitchen
Chef Wes Wobles in the Kitchen
Kristen on set shooting garden scene
Kristen on set shooting garden scene

 

Making Homemade Granola
Making Homemade Granola
Making Caramel
Making Caramel
Arranging items on set
Arranging items on set

 

Plating the dish and prepping the shot
Plating the dish and prepping the shot
Setting up the props for the final shot
Setting up the props for the final shot

 

A lighter and healthier classic comfort food: Vegetable Lasagna

Vegetarian Lasagna
Vegetarian Lasagna

Lasagna is one of my favorite comfort foods to indulge in during the Winter time, but as soon as Spring is approaching, I like to lighten up this classic recipe by substituting lots of fresh vegetables like mushrooms, carrots, zucchini and spinach in place of the ground beef or sausage that is used in the heavier, more fat-laden traditional Lasagna recipes. It still incorporates a traditional red marinara sauce and uses lightened up cheeses to give it great flavor, but somehow I feel a little less guilty taking a big bite of this yummy dish made with fresh sautéed vegetables to satisfy my comfort food fix. Goes great paired with a green salad tossed in a light Italian dressing with a glass of light red or white wine, such as a Pinot Noir or Pinot Grigio.

A lighter and healthier approach to the classic comfort dish Lasagna

Prep Time: 30 minutes

Cook Time: 1 hour, 20 minutes

Total Time: 1 hour, 50 minutes

Yield: 10-12

Lasagna is one of my favorite comfort foods to indulge in during the Winter time, but as soon as Spring is approaching, I like to lighten up this classic recipe by substituting lots of fresh vegetables like mushrooms, carrots, zucchini and spinach in place of the ground beef or sausage that is used in the heavier, more fat-laden traditional Lasagna recipes. It still incorporates a traditional red marinara sauce and uses lightened up cheeses to give it great flavor, but somehow I feel a little less guilty taking a big bite of this yummy dish made with fresh sautéed vegetables to satisfy my comfort food fix. Goes great paired with a green salad tossed in a light Italian dressing with a glass of light red or white wine, such as a Pinot Noir or Pinot Grigio.

Ingredients

  • 12 lasagna noodles
  • 1 1/2 tablespoon olive oil, divided
  • 1/2 cup onion, diced
  • 2 garlic cloves, minced
  • 1 cup mushrooms, chopped fine
  • 1 cup zucchini, chopped fine
  • 1 cup fresh spinach, chopped fine
  • 1 cup carrots, chopped fine
  • 3 cups marinara sauce (homemade or prepared)
  • 1 cup Ricotta cheese
  • 1 cup low-fat Parmesan cheese, shredded
  • 1 cup low-fat or 2% Mozzarella cheese, shredded
  • Salt and pepper, to taste
  • Fresh basil leaves or parsley, torn for garnish

Instructions

  1. Preheat oven to 350 degrees.
  2. Boil salted water in a large pot. Add lasagna noodles and cook according to package directions, drain, separate and set aside.
  3. Heat ½ tablespoon of olive oil on low heat in a large skillet. Cook onion and garlic for three or four minutes and place into a separate bowl. Add another tablespoon of oil to skillet and cook mushrooms, zucchini, spinach and carrots about 5-10 minutes until tender and add to onion and garlic mixture. Add one cup of the marinara sauce to the vegetables and heat through.
  4. Spread one cup of the remaining marinara sauce into the bottom of a 13x9 glass greased baking dish and layer with half of the noodles, vegetables and ricotta cheese. Sprinkle with half of the Parmesan and Mozzarella cheese and salt and pepper to taste. Repeat with another layer of marinara sauce, noodles, vegetables and ricotta cheese, sprinkling with remaining cheeses, salt and pepper. Cover and bake at 350 degrees for 45 minutes. Uncover and bake an additional 15-20 minutes until cheese is golden and bubbly.
  5. Let cool for 10-15 minutes, cut lasagna into squares and top with fresh basil or parsley. Serve with a green salad and glass of light red wine.

Notes

Recipe can be made ahead and kept covered in the refrigerator before baking. Can also be kept in the freezer tightly wrapped and reheated in the microwave for leftovers. For a Vegan version of the recipe: omit ricotta cheese and use Vegan soy-based cheese in place of the Parmesan and Mozzarella cheese.

https://www.theartfulgourmet.com/2013/02/a-lighter-and-healthier-classic-comfort-food-vegetable-lasagna/