Hey everyone! Abby here, your friendly Beijos cocktail and food lady. Another year, another round of fun and delish foods we shared on here. Each year, I try to think of creative recipes to share with you all. This year was filled with lots of easy ideas but giving them that pretty bow on top for that extra touch. My partner in crime, Dayna Studios, and I had such a fun year trying new ways to photograph and style all these treats. I think for this year, it’s gonna be the same with challenging myself and her (haha) with new ideas and of course delivering not only pretty but yummy drinks and food for you all.
I’m recapping my favorite top 10 drinks and goodies from this year. In no particular order!
Photography by Dayna Studios
GIMME THAT SPARKLING GREYHOUND COCKTAIL!
This was all about making a simple classic greyhound sparkle! I just love the colors.
YUMMY YET SPOOKY SKULL DEVILED EGGS
I definitely have a thing for deviled eggs. Any chance I get to make them, and then to add a theme on top, I’m here for it! This one is up there with the Chick’n in egg salad one that also made the cut this year. Also, there is just something about spooky pretty that I love so much.
A YUMMY SPRING VEGAN CHARCUTERIE BOARD
Just look at all that pastel color. This one was a fun and a totally me board! Not being able to have dairy or egg, this was my jam. Give me all the colorful, pretty, and bright spring vegetables. I try to do drinks and food that everyone can enjoy and make, but vegan options are definitely on the list this year to do more of here on the blog.
GRILLED SHRIMP + CALAMARI PLATTER FOR THE END OF SUMMER
I loved teaming up with Vital Choice this past year, and being to do create dishes for them with all their sustainable products. I love shrimp especially in summer and bbq’d so this was a happy place for me. Anything outside dining al fresco brings smiles.
This apple cocktail was one of those days where I challenge Dayna and I to get that perfect picture of the smoke from the burning cinnamon stick. I love these shoots when we do them. Looking forward to creating more moody looks with her this year.
A DELICIOUS GINGER TURMERIC PUMPKIN SOUP
There is nothing better than a ginger and turmeric combo with any kind of veggie for me. This is one of go-to meals. Add in some pretty florals and you have yourself a yummy situation. I usually swap out the pumpkin for butternut squash or sweet potatoes and coconut milk for any dairy swaps too.
A PINK PINEAPPLE MOJITO FOR YOUR NEXT HAPPY HOUR
I have been wanting to do something with a pink pineapple for a couple years now. But every time, those little suckers were out of stock at the market. Pineapple and mint are bffs. You can’t go wrong with this combo for a cocktail anytime of the year.
HOW TO MAKE THE PRETTIEST RAINBOW CHARCUTERIE BOARD
These colors! I teamed up with Harry and David to show you how you can raise the bar on the common charcuterie board and create this pretty rainbow number just in time for St. Patrick’s Day and Spring! In my opinion, there is nothing better than a tray with loads of juicy and tangy fruit alongside yummy veggies and a few camos for the cheese lovers. Take it up another notch, by arranging in a rainbow color scheme, and adding lots of edible flowers and dried fruit.
A CARA CARA ORANGE PALOMA WITH ALL THE SPRING VIBES
Who doesn’t like a citrus Paloma. Again, it was all about the spring vibes and all the color. You can do a classic cocktail with a twist by changing the citrus, but it’s all about the details. Florals! They make everyone smile.
I took an original idea of a deviled egg, and threw a chicken in there! My husband loves egg sandwiches, so this one was for him. All the spring vibes, and it’s a perfect dish for Easter or any event during spring really. Heck, why not just a lunch? This is one of the dishes you can remake ahead of time, and just assemble each time you want a little chicky egg.
One more cause it is one of my top favorite ones I did this year!
CEVICHE 3 WAYS
This one was super fun to do. I created 3 ways to enjoy ceviche and with different tastes in each one. One of the things I love the most of creating all these dishes, is all the test rounds. Am I creating something yummy or will this be terrible? It’s all yummy of course! But, brainstorming and coming up with recipes from scratch is my favorite.
Well that is a recap of 2023. I hope you all enjoyed, and looking forward to some more fun in 2024!
xx
Abby
