Easy | Kitchen Konfidence

Raspberry Pimm’s Cup Recipe

September 27, 2017 by Brandon Matzek 2 Comments

Today’s cocktail, prepared in partnership with Tropicana Premium Lemonade, is so darn fresh. Just a little something I shook up to celebrate the completion of a small home project.

With summer’s bounty coming to a close in our garden, we recently expanded and redid our backyard beds. Jorge and I pulled up all of the leggy and overgrown garden remnants and processed them into mulch. We then installed three new rectangular beds and filled them with a mix of fresh dirt and recycled mulch. They’re all prepped and ready to go for fall plantings! To celebrate this small victory, Jorge and I kicked back with a couple of these Raspberry Pimm’s Cups.

The Pimm’s Cup is a classic British cocktail made with Pimm’s No. 1 liqueur and lemonade, garnished with fruit and herbs. It’s also one of my favorite cocktails. So crisp and refreshing. This recipe starts with raspberries and cucumber slices muddled with just a bit of sugar. Next, add Tropicana Premium Raspberry Lemonade, Pimm’s No. 1 and lemon juice to the shaker along with ice. Cap and shake until well-chilled. The cocktail is finished with ginger beer and a garnish of fresh herbs. I snipped bundles of thyme, rosemary and mint from our garden before we redid everything, so that’s what I’m using here! Continue reading for the recipe.

Summer Squash Rigatoni Recipe

August 14, 2017 by Brandon Matzek

I saw this recipe in a recent edition of Bon Appétit, and I was pleasantly surprised at how simple and delicious it was. It’s quickly become a weeknight staple at our house.

Summer Squash Rigatoni Recipe

Zucchini and summer squash are two things I often have sitting in my fridge this time of the year, and this Summer Squash Rigatoni recipe is a perfect use-up. Start with thinly sliced garlic sizzling in olive oil, then toss in two pounds of sliced zucchini and summer squash. They stay in the pan for about 20 minutes until tender and any released liquid cooks off. You then toss in red chile flakes, cooked rigatoni, Parmesan cheese, lemon juice and basil leaves. Pasta cooking water is also added to form a light sauce. And that’s it! The flavors are simple here, but they come together beautifully to form an irresistible pasta dish that’s ready in about 30 minutes! Continue reading for the recipe.

Grilled Mussels with White Wine, Fried Garlic and Herbs

July 26, 2017 by Brandon Matzek

Mussels were a family favorite at my house when I was growing up.

My mom would often prepare them steamed with white wine, garlic and fresh aromatics, or simmered with tomato sauce and spooned over spaghetti. Either way, toasted bread was always served to sop up all the delicious seafood-infused sauce. This recipe, inspired by my mom’s steamed mussels, comes to you today in partnership with Noble Vines, a California label founded in 2006 by the Indelicato family; a fourth-generation family owned winery that’s been making wine in California since 1924.

Given that it’s summer right now and I’ve been grilling and smoking everything, I decided to prepare these mussels over a hot charcoal fire. You start by heating up a cast iron skillet directly on the grill grate. Garlic and red chile flakes are then sizzled in olive oil until golden and aromatic. The mussels join the skillet along with dry white wine like Noble Vines 242 Sauvignon Blanc crisp with notes of white peach, citrus and lemongrass. You then cover the grill to let the mussels steam while they soak up flavors of smoke and fried garlic. The dish is finished with fresh parsley, mint and lemon zest.

These Grilled Mussels are a perfect summer meal. The deep savoriness of the golden garlic is balanced by the fresh herbs, lemon zest and acidity from the white wine. A natural wine pairing for these mussels would be Noble Vines 242 Sauvignon Blanc. It’s refreshing on a warm evening, and echoes the flavors infused into the dish. Be sure to serve plenty of grilled bread on the side for dipping. Continue reading for the recipe plus more on Noble Vines!

Tomato and Watermelon Gazpacho Recipe

July 19, 2017 by Brandon Matzek

I’ve been traveling a lot recently. Everything has been wonderful, but I’ll have to say that it feels good to get back to a regular schedule!

Summer produce—like tomatoes, corn, melons, berries, peppers and stone fruit—is in full swing right now, fueling my inspiration in the kitchen. On hot evenings with ceiling fans whirring about, I’ve been throwing together simple dinners that require minimal effort and oven time like this Tomato and Watermelon Gazpacho recipe. The base of this chilled soup is made of whole peeled tomatoes and juicy sweet watermelon. The two are blended up with celery, onion, garlic, basil, red wine vinegar, olive oil and slices of French bread. All of these ingredients are raw, so the only kitchen work here is chopping and blending! Transfer the soup to the fridge and let chill until ready to serve.

Hued a vibrant shade of red-orange, this Tomato and Watermelon Gazpacho is finished with crunchy croutons, fresh basil leaves, olive oil and a sprinkling of flaky sea salt. Each spoonful is fresh and light. You’ll be surprised at how much flavor this soup packs even though none of the ingredients were cooked with heat! Enjoy this as is for lunch or pair with an effortless salad for dinner. Continue reading for the recipe.

Rainbow Watermelon Pizza

June 2, 2017 by Brandon Matzek

June is national LGBT Pride Month, and today I’m kicking off celebrations with Ralphs and this Rainbow Watermelon Pizza.

As you may know, pizza is one of my favorite things. This Watermelon Pizza is far from traditional, but it’s super tasty, healthy and so, so pretty. The crust here is made of wedges of juicy, ripe watermelon, the cheese is a luscious mix of mascarpone and Greek yogurt, and the toppings are a colorful array of sweet, summer produce. Berries, nectarines, kiwis, grapes and tomatoes all arranged to form a vibrant rainbow. This simple dessert would be perfect for any summer bash, but especially fitting for a colorful LGBT Pride celebration. Continue reading for the recipe plus more details on Ralphs LGBT Pride support!

Piña Para la Niña Cocktail Recipe

May 2, 2017 by Brandon Matzek

Cinco de Mayo is just around the corner, and today I’m sharing a fun cocktail recipe along with menu ideas for a spirited May 5 bash.

First, let’s talk about this Piña Para la Niña. Over the past year, Olmeca Altos has been my preferred tequila of choice, and today’s drink starts with their silver tequila muddled in a cocktail shaker with slices of fiery jalapeño. Pineapple juice, lime juice and a vanilla-infused syrup are added to the mix, bringing a bright and balanced taste of the tropics. Everything gets shaken with ice, then strained into a coupe glass. The citrusy notes of Olmeca Altos Plata blend beautifully with the pineapple and lime juice, while the jalapeño adds a little spark of intrigue. Sipping one of these from a coupe glass looks quite sophisticated, but the flavors are fresh and approachable. Continue reading for the recipe along with menu ideas for a Cinco de Mayo party!

Bagels with Smoked Salmon and Herbed Avocado Spread

April 28, 2017 by Brandon Matzek

Did you know that there are around 87 million pounds of avocados purchased for Cinco de Mayo celebrations here in the US? Crazy, right?!

Well given that we’re going to be in an avo frenzy over the next week, I thought I’d take a moment and share a recent project I’ve been having a lot of fun with! For the past few months, I’ve been developing recipes for the California Avocado Commission’s blog, The Scoop, and it’s been quite the tasty adventure. I’ve always been a big fan of avocados, but this recent project has really pushed me to use them in creative ways. For example: Bagels with Smoked Salmon and Herbed Avocado Spread. Ripe, creamy California Avocados are blitzed with lemon juice, cream cheese, chives, dill and black pepper until smooth. The finished spread is fresh, tangy and perfect on a toasted everything bagel. Blushing slices of smoked salmon are draped on top of the bagel, then adorned with traditional accompaniments like red onion and capers. Make this dish for a special brunch celebration or on any morning you just want to treat yourself. I’ve got a link to the recipe below!

Oh, and if you’re looking for tasty ways to use avocados for Cinco de Mayo, check out these recipes: Green Goddess Guacamole, Bacon and Tomato Guacamole, Roasted Fennel and Apple Guacamole.

Roasted Carrots with Herbs, Chiles and Lime

February 24, 2017 by Brandon Matzek

The flavors of this roasted carrot dish fall somewhere in between winter and spring.

Baby rainbow carrots, beauties in their own right, are tossed in coconut oil, salt and pepper, and then roasted in a hot oven until sweet and tender. Roasted root vegetables are a staple at my house during the winter months. The process is so simple, and the resulting veggies are just so darn tasty. Any golden or black color that develops on the veggies while roasting really amps up the flavor. These carrots transition to spring with a flurry of tasty green things: chopped jalapeño, cilantro leaves, fresh mint and a healthy squeeze of lime juice. With each bite, you’ll get some sweetness from the carrots balanced with the acidity of the lime. The chile adds exciting moments of sharp heat. These carrots would pair beautifully with chicken, pork or fish. Continue reading for the recipe!

Game Day Tequila Cocktails 3 Ways

January 23, 2017 by Brandon Matzek

The big game is almost here, so today I’m sharing three unique tequila cocktails perfect for any Game Day bash.

Each of these cocktails is made with Olmeca Altos Tequila, one of my favorite partners here on Kitchen Konfidence. I’ve got an option for the casual tequila-drinker (Easy Passion Fruit Margarita), the serious tequila-drinker (Añejo Old Fashioned) and the beer-drinker (Grapefruit Tequila Fizz). You can pair any of these cocktails with Mexican Game Day apps like queso fundido or salsa verde, but they would also work well with American favorites like buffalo chicken dip or pulled pork sliders. Just make sure you’ve got plenty of chilled tequila on hand to keep the party going!! Continue reading for the recipes.

Top 15 Recipes of 2016

December 30, 2016 by Brandon Matzek

Hello friends and Happy Friday!! I’m going to close out this year with a tasty roundup of my top recipes of 2016.

2016 was an interesting year filled with excitement, a little anxiety from time-to-time and plenty of change. With all of the celebrity deaths and political unrest, many are calling 2016 just the worst. But it was also the year that I decided to transition from my career in Marketing (with Westfield) to full-time food blogging, writing and photography! The second half of 2016 was spent navigating the choppy waters of self-employment, and while it has been challenging, I feel like I’m off to a good start!

I launched my first eBook in partnership with The 30 Clean.
I started writing for Modern Luxury San Diego, a gig I really now look forward to each month.
I’ve continued to work with many amazing clients and partners who help support this blog financially. I want to mention too that I am very critical when it comes to the partners I work with, and I will only promote brands or products that I truly love. Hopefully this comes through when I share sponsored recipes or products!
I’ve gotten to explore San Diego even more, sharing my findings and recs on Instagram.
I’ve shared a wider variety of approachable recipes that seem to be working well (based on your feedback!).

In 2017, I hope to turn up the volume on each of the items above while dabbling a bit more in the video realm. I’m actually quite giddy thinking about the possibilities! Before we get to the roundup, I want to say thanks. Thanks to all the partners and sponsors that help support Kitchen Konfidence financially, and thanks for making awesome products/services that I can gladly support. Thanks to my friends and family who always send so much love and support. Thanks to Jorge for just being awesome. We’re both working from home now, and it’s been so fun, and easy, and enjoyable. I get to see his smiling face all the time now 🙂 And finally, thanks to you the readers for all of the likes, loves, comments and feedback. You are the reason why I do what do!

Happy New Year from Brandon, Jorge, TiVo and Boris!! If you need a cocktail for NYE, try this one or this one. And now, on to my top recipes of 2016!!

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