SAFEWAY SPONSORED RECIPE | Elevated Korean-Style Braised Soy Sauce Chicken

This is a sponsored post written by me on behalf of Safeway. All opinions are 100% mine.

HAPPY 2021! I hope everyone is having a safe start to the new year.

I’ll be giving my at-home meals a new flare this year with nutritious, delicious, and affordable products from Safeway’s Exclusive Brands. I’ve been featuring Safeway brands starting last year and have become a fan of these affordable alternatives that are high-quality because they have a wide range of products so it is easy to prepare meals at home.

Let me give you more info about the different exclusive brands available at Safeway. There are: O Organics®, Open Nature®, & Signature Brands. O Organics® offers high-quality, non-GMO and 100% USDA-certified organic products. Open Nature® provides high-quality, minimally-process high-quality products which are free from 110 food additives. It includes plant-based, high protein, and gluten-free options. Signature bands include Signature SELECT™, Signature Farms®, and Signature Cafe® options. They offer options for every meal and occasion including ready-to-eat, ready-to-heat, and cooking ingredients. These brands can be found in every aisle of your local Safeway so I suggest you try them out!

Today I’ll be adding soy-sauce braised chicken to my weekly rotation because it is an easy one pot meal to make and can last over several meals. This recipe is very filling because of the noodles and potatoes. I’m adding cheese to my recipe for an updated take on this classic Korean dish. Make sure to finish the noodles & cheese and the leftovers can be saved for another day.

RECIPE FOR KOREAN-STYLE SOY SAUCE BRAISED CHICKEN

3 Open Nature Chicken Thighs & 3 drumsticks, soaked for 30 minutes

1t ginger, minced

1T garlic, minced

2 O Organics potatoes, halved

2 carrots, 2” chunks

½ onion, sliced

6 O Organics Mushrooms, sliced

½ cup Signature SELECT Stir-Fry Rice Noodles, soaked

Sauce

¼ cup oyster sauce

¼ cup soy sauce

1T brown sugar

Garnish

2 O Organics green onions, julienned

½ cup O Organics Mozzarella, finely shredded

Sesame oil drizzled

Directions:

Combine the ingredients for the sauce & set aside.

On medium heat, add oil & sear the chicken on both sides.

Add minced garlic & ginger and cook until fragrant.

Then add the potatoes, sauce, & 2 ½ cups of water and cook with lid on for 15 minutes.

Add carrots & onions and cook for another 10 minutes with the lid open to reduce the sauce.

Add the soaked noodles and mushrooms and cook until the sauce has thickened.

Season with black pepper and sesame oil.

Add the cheese on top and cook until it has melted.

Garnish with green onions & enjoy!

Hope you will try this recipe out and let me know what you think! I personally think that it tastes even better the day after as leftovers when the chicken has soaked up even more flavor from the sauce. Also, the sauce goes well over some rice and the leftover chicken can be eaten as a side dish to the meal.

I shopped at my local Safeway. Shop these affordable high-quality products at the Albertsons Companies family of stores, including Albertsons, ACME Markets, Jewel-Osco, Randalls, Shaw’s Supermarket, Star Market, Tom Thumb & Vons. Safeway also offers Grocery Delivery and DriveUp & Go™ for convenient ways to shop. I’ve seen the designated spaces at my local Safeway for DriveUp & Go and it is a good option if you don’t want to go inside the store.

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SF | illy caffè university of coffee

This post is sponsored by illy caffè

the flagship location in San Francisco

illy caffè’s flagship store in San Francisco is located in the Financial District. They have multiple locations in the city!

The cafe is very spacious. There is a bar area, as well as booths for more privacy.

Inside their flagship is the University of Coffee which can be rented out for different educational and hands-on coffee experiences. I was invited to their DIY latte art experience. To learn more about the classes they offer, or to book a team building experience or private class for you and your friends, click here!

We were able to view some new products on display: the illy Art Collection by Olimpia Zagnoli espresso cups & the Y3.2 machine in new colors: white + Cape Town Blue. The white one is so cute and would go perfectly with my white kitchen appliances.

Our instructor, Heidi, demonstrated how to make latte art and then we were able to try and make our own.

I was the first volunteer to try it and it was harder than I thought!

After the latte art experience, we also had a coffee mixology demo. We were also able to taste them and I loved the cold brew with salted caramel cream, which was made with illy’s Cold Brew Aria, the first-ever system that infuses ambient air into coffee to create a “nitro” effect.

Thank you, illy caffè, for the wonderful experience! Now I have to practice & perfect my latte art at home.

***

illy caffè

220 Montgomery St Ste. 148

San Francisco, CA 94104

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SF | Dinerlist app launch

Compensation for this post was provided by Dinerlist. Opinions expressed here are my own.

dinerlist has just launched in the san francisco bay area. to celebrate, at the bottom of this post, there will be a link for a chance to win an iphone x!

it is an app that helps people find new restaurants, bars, and cafes in their immediate area without having to look through millions of photos and reviews; it also shows any deals/promos that the establishment might be having.

dinerlist might entice you to try that one restaurant you always pass by but never thought to go into. or  it may even get you to try a new menu item at a place you’ve already been to, which was the case for me.

i was looking through dinerlist and came across mr. t cafe. i go there occasionally to get their twister potato fries or egg puffs. i saw on dinerlist that they had a 10% off drinks promotion so i decided to go and try their drinks this time.

 

i thought, why not try their drinks at 10% off?

 

i got two drinks [instead of one] because one was 10% off. here shown are the milk tea with seas salt & strawberry milk tea.

download the app & try it for yourself and see what items you would try through their promotions.

itunes
google play

** when you download the app + link to facebook account, you will be entered to win an iphone x! **

a Rafflecopter giveaway

winner will be announced 1/15!

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SF | museum of ice cream – san francisco edition

this very instagrammable museum of ice cream is sold out.

 

it used to be a bank before it was converted into a very pink & colorful museum dedicated to all things ice cream. this door does not open.

 

during the month of October, salt & straw featured their sea salt caramel flavor with a magic coffee shell. i like their salted caramel flavor and the coffee shell added a little extra something to their regular flavor.

ice cream, DUH! here you will be able to sample a scoop of ice cream, mochi ice cream, cotton candy, unicorn milk soft serve & pop rocks.

i didn’t ride the unicorn like most people. but i did try unicorn milk!

it was quite creamy and not too sweet. it was the perfect bite. the pink is a white chocolate shell.

they have the famous sprinkle pool here but i only went in mid-calf deep with socks on. i just couldn’t get myself to dive in. but if you do, they have a station where you can “dry off” with an air dryer.

 

the swings are the last exhibit. there are three of them but i think i liked the whipped cream “exhibit” the best.

 

the museum of ice cream is a place where adults can be kids again!

***

museum of ice cream

1 Grant Ave

San Francisco, CA 94108

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Goby: A Modern Electric Toothbrush

this is my first ever electric toothbrush so i had to share.

i like the simple & sleek design. i’m not that into colors so a little splash of color (or just black, white or gold) is ideal for me.

the colors available are: midnight, goby blue, magenta & tangerine.

the brush kit comes with a magnetic usb charger + outlet adapter + hygenic stand.

the magnetic usb charger can be used on its own to charge the toothbrush, making it very portable.

or it also can slide into the hygenic stand when you are at home. [shown in midnight & magenta]

i like how it pauses each time you have to switch quadrants. and there is an indicator light that comes on to remind me to replace my brush head.

the brush kit is very affordable ($65) & $50 if you subscribe to their brush replacement package.

also, Goby donates a percentage of all sales to help provide dental services to people around the world which is great!

 

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The Standard DTLA

Happy 2017!!

I had a terrible experience with @Airbnb this past trip to LA.

When I got to the rental, someone was already staying there.

End result: could not find a last minute replacement through them. I had three dogs with me so that made the task extra difficult.

Luckily, discovered that The Standard is pet friendly [& they stay for free!].

there is valet and two self parking lots behind the hotel. the lower level is cheaper by a few dollars.

when I was there it was $20 for valet, $15 for one of the lots & $10 for the other.

the back of the hotel. there is a small seating area with a fireplace and foosball.

the ‘huge’ room

420-square-foot, king platform bed, tons of natural light, open plan room with soaking bathtub, sitting area, extra closet space, and extra-long desk.

the shower/tub divides the room & bathroom. there is a separate room with toilet.

next to this tub is where the tv/minibar/closet space is. Overall, very roomy for a couple and their two small dogs + medium-sized dog. 🙂

The hotel is surprisingly pretty quiet. You may hear doors shutting and an occasional siren, though. But that’s just expected in LA.

Hopefully, next time I can try the 24/7 restaurant, Hermanos coffee shop, and maybe even the salon. I’ve been to The Rooftop (but it’s been ages!) which has nice views, music, and drinks.

They have a thing called “Standard Time” where you can pick your check-in/out time (for a small fee).

I’ll probably skip the Airbnb next time (I’ve had WAY too many horrible experiences) and just book a room here next time.

#NotSponsoredJustGrateful

got to enjoy walking around DTLA near the hotel.

***

The Standard Hotel DTLA

550 South Flower Street

Los Angeles, CA 90071

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DeLicious DeLuscious Cookies & Milk

DeLuscious Cookies

Happy Holidays!

I have had this place bookmarked for YEARS and I was so glad that I finally got the chance to try them.

It’s not a retail store with cookies on display but they do allow walk-ins; you would have to choose from whatever they have available at the time and sometimes they sell out so it is probably good to call before heading over.

 If you call a few hours ahead during nonpeak days, they may be able to prepare the cookies you want! Shhh!

this is where you pick up the cookies. (it is their HQ.)

this is the stairway that leads to their offices/pick-up location/kitchen.

love the handmade hat box. perfect for gifting.

classics

cinnamon brûlée

chocolate decadence

chocolate chip

oatmeal raisin

peanut butter

peanut butter chocolate

couture (changes seasonally)

white chocolate macadamia nut cranberry

ginger spice

chocolate peppermint

red velvet chocolate brownie

butterscotch blondie

vegan

vegan gluten-free chocolate chip

special edition

chocolate bing cherry (Spielberg’s fave!)

These DeLicious DeLuscious cookies are available for pick-up, hand delivery, and they even ship internationally.

I also like that they also do a lot of charity events; they give back to the community.

My faves: chocolate chip, cinnamon brûlée, chocolate bing cherry.  They are crispy around the edges and chewy in the center. The bing cherry surprisingly goes well with the chocolate.

Owner, Lydia Shayne, is a self-taught baker who takes pride in her cookies. She does not use preservatives and  uses the best ingredients possible in these hand-crafted cookies. FYI, the bing cherries used the the chocolate bing cherry cookie are from washington. She also creates her own blend of quinoa and rice flours for the gluten-free options.

I will definitely be back to try more of their flavors.

***

DeLuscious Cookies & Milk

829 Highland Avenue

Los Angeles, CA 90038

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Viansa Sonoma: Fireside Social Hour

Last month, I was lucky enough to preview their Fireside Social Hour.

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Fireside Social Hour:

Last one is THIS Thursday, 11/17  (5p-7p)

[$15 for a glass of wine, apps, and cozy fireplace]

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so cute

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they also have pizza!

pizza with a view

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some of their wines

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this is their private outlooks, which are available for private tastings. there’s a nice view of their vineyard and the wetlands.

Visit their website for more details + the different kinds of tastings they have to offer.

Viansa Sonoma

25200 Arnold Drive

Sonoma, CA 95476

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Onsen SF: R&R in the Tenderloin

This weekend, I had the chance to visit Onsen, which will soon be opening to the public on 11/11.

It is a holistic spa/tea room/restaurant/treatment room all rolled into one.

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A hidden gem in the TL

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This hallway contains 6 treatment rooms for massage/acupuncture.

It leads into the communal bath area.

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Communal bath

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Entrance to the redwood cedar dry sauna [with a view of the communal tub]

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Overhead cold plunge to cool off after the dry sauna

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The steam room

Check out their gallery for more photos.

In the front of the space, there is a restaurant with tea service.

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Fresh plant-driven menu that is heavily Asian-inspired.

Pickled vegetables, kakuni lamb, halibut sashimi, jook.

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Finish the meal off with some tea. They also have cocktails and lemon kombucha.

***

Onsen

466 Eddy Street

San Francisco, CA 94109

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Munchery Food Delivery Service

I got to try out Munchery, a SF-based food delivery service. They are available across various cities in the following states: Arizona, California, Colorado, Idaho, Maryland, Nevada, New Jersey, New Mexico, New York, Oregon, Utah, Virginia, Washington, and Washington D.C.

I saw on their website that they have cooking kits, where you can cook a meal for two in 15 minutes. I must try that next time and see how it turns out.

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The price point is pretty good for the quality of food you get. To keep prices low, they charge a subscription fee for members.

I ordered my meal two days ahead of time because I REALLY wanted the CAWxMunchery Gold-Flaked Chocolate Cake! It was sold out the last time I tried to order it so when I saw it on the menu, I just had to jump on it.

A plus is that you can pick your delivery window. (I chose 4-5p.)

The food comes chilled in compostable containers and in a paper bag so it is ideal if you are home or will be home when the food gets there.

This is what I got this time.

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 Spicy Tuna Crunch Roll $9.95

They have rolls & nigiri too!

For me, the spicy tuna crunch roll is a light snack, or appetizer to start off my meal.

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Buttermilk Fried Chicken $8.95

 

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Spanish-Style Tri-tip Steak $10.95

 

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1/2 Roast Chicken with Squash $9.95

 

And got my favorite dessert! Of course, I had to get TWO. Sadly, I shared one.

[A collaboration between Craftsman And Wolves + Munchery.]

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Gold-Flaked Chocolate Cake $6.95

Overall, the food is well seasoned and tastes pretty healthy; they try to avoid using preservatives when possible.  My friends agreed that for the quality you get, the price is pretty amazing.

If I’m not in the mood too cook and I don’t feel like fast food, I would definitely order from them again, especially when the CAWxMUNCHERY chocolate cake is available. Haha!

***

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