Snacks & Sides

Dining Al Fresco + Homemade Tortilla Chips & Salsa Con Queso

Filed Under > Everyday Dinner

Dining Al Fresco, Waiting On Martha     *These candelabras are show stopping & perfect for any occasion

Homemade Tortilla Chips, Waiting On MarthaDining Al Fresco, Waiting On Martha     *A mix of vases in different heights, textures, & patterns gives our table an eclectic vibe

Red Sangria Recipe, Waiting On Martha     *Sangria is the perfect cocktail for large groups & summer nights (recipe coming Friday)

Summertime Salsas, Waiting On Martha     *Ditch traditional salsas for whats is in season like our peach, mango & heirloom tomato

Dining Al Fresco, Waiting On MarthaOutdoor Entertaining, Waiting On Martha     *Don’t be afraid of color, the red provides the “pop” this table needed

Spicy Watermelon Salad, Waiting On MarthaBlue & White, Waiting On Martha     *A vase anything that holds water including an actual water pitcher

Salsa Con Queso, Waiting On Martha     *Take queso to the next level with jalepeno, green onion, cilantro, & radish garnish

Dining Al Fresco, Waiting On MarthaHomemade Tortilla Chips & Refried Beans     *Homemade tortilla chips are worth the extra work I promise!

Dining Al Fresco, Waiting On MarthaOutdoor Dinner Party, Waiting On Martha

There’s nothing I enjoy more than summer nights dining al fresco with my nearest and dearest. So when Pacific Foods asked if I’d like to team up for a little easy entertaining I gathered friends and set the table with a Mexican inspired meal.  

Homemade chips, queso, spicy watermelon salad and a trio of  salsas highlighting summer’s freshest flavors (peach, mango, heirloom tomato) set the stage for a build your own taco bar.  A build your own taco and/or nacho bar is not only the definition of easy entertaining, but it’s always a crowd pleaser.  Simply grill a protein or two, set out all of your fresh favorites (tortillas, beans, cheese, guacamole, salasa, queso, tomatoes, onions, jalepenos, etc.), and let your guests create their favorite combinations.  And because Pacific Foods has great organic options such as refried black beans and queso all I needed to do was add a few extra flavors before serving.

I’m sharing my salsa con queso and homemade tortilla chips recipe below, (trust me take the time and make your own homemade tortilla chips I promise it will be worth it), and later this week I’ll show you how to create the perfect red sangria and spicy watermelon salad.  Everything you need for easy summer entertaining because after the winter we all had I’m trying to squeeze every ounce out of summer I can!  Cheers!  truly, MKR

Table & Chairs, Ballard Designs c/o  ||  Red Chairs, Society Social  ||  Garden Stool, One Kings Lane  ||  Candelabras, Dunes & Duchess  ||  Striped Tapers, Waiting On Martha  ||  Drink Dispenser, old similar HERE  ||  Blue Place Settings, One Kings Lane (sold out)  ||  White Place Settings, kate spade new york c/o   ||  Blue & White Bowls, Waiting On Martha (email for availability)  ||  Rope Vase, Waiting On Martha  ||  Faceted Vase, Waiting On Martha  ||  Milk Bottle Vases, Waiting On Martha  ||  Tall Faceted Vase, kate spade new york c/o  ||  Blue & White Vase (collected, similar HERE)  ||  Hand Towels used as Napkins, Waiting On Martha  ||  Rope Bowl, Waiting On Martha (sold out Gold still available)  ||  Blue & White Stripe Napkins, Sur La Table  ||  Rocks Glasses, Dwell Studio  ||  Dress, Persifor  ||  Nail Polish, Nars  

Photography, Rustic White  ||  This post was sponsored by Pacific Foods, a brand I love and adore.  Opinions and recipes are 100% my own.

Homemade Tortilla Chips
Write a review
Print
Prep Time
5 min
Cook Time
10 min
Total Time
15 min
Prep Time
5 min
Cook Time
10 min
Total Time
15 min
Ingredients
  1. 12 Corn Tortillas
  2. 4-6 Cups Sunflower or any preferred oil for frying
  3. Salt to taste
Instructions
  1. In a cast iron or heavy bottom pot, heat oil on high for 5 minutes or until oil reaches 350 degrees.
  2. Cut tortilla shells in half and then half again so you have 4 equal triangles per tortilla.
  3. Once oil is hot place 8-10 triangles in at a time and fry for 2-3 minutes or until tortillas begin to turn golden brown.
  4. Using a skimmer or fry basket remove chips and place on a baking sheet covered in paper towels, salt.
  5. Repeat until all tortillas are cooked.
Welcome by Waiting on Martha https://waitingonmartha.com/
Spicy Salsa Con Queso Dip
Write a review
Print
Prep Time
5 min
Cook Time
5 min
Total Time
10 min
Prep Time
5 min
Cook Time
5 min
Total Time
10 min
Ingredients
  1. Pacific Foods Salsa Con Queso
  2. 1/2 cub shredded or cubed White Cheese
  3. 1 Jalepeno Diced
  4. 1/2 Red Pepper Diced.
  5. 2 Diced Radishes
  6. 2 Green Onions Diced
  7. Cilantro For Garnish
Instructions
  1. In a small pot over medium high heat add the Pacific Foods Salsa Con Queso, white cheese, red pepper, and jalepeno. Mix until warm and fully melted.
  2. Remove from heat and pour into a serving bowl and garnish with radishes, green onions and cilantro. Serve warm with our homemade tortilla chips.
Welcome by Waiting on Martha https://waitingonmartha.com/

Nourish || Snacking Smartly

Filed Under > Healthy-ish

Healthy Snacks, Waiting On MarthaHealthy Snacks, Waiting On MarthaHealthy Snacks, Waiting On MarthaHealthy Snacks, Waiting On Martha

If you read THIS then you know I’m really focusing on reigning in my current binge like habits for a walk on the healthier side of things.  And one of those habits that I’m focused on is snacking smartly.  For me when it comes to snacking I fall into two very classic scenarios.  When working from my home studio  I become a food grazer (food grazer being one who eats a little bit here and there all day).  It’s said being a grazer is actually the healthiest was to live, that is when you’re grazing on anything other than ice cream, cupcakes, or whatever sugary or salty recipe I’m creating that day.  On the flip side when I’m out on set styling a shoot, traveling, or anything that takes me away from my studio I tend not to eat all day so when 6:00 o’clock rolls around I’m so hangry (hungry + angry) I show no restraint at dinner which usually means pizza and wine.  Both scenarios I’m sure relatable to most all of you out there, and both scenarios I’ve found can be answered with a simple plan to snack smartly.  Enter Nourish Snacks.  My new go-to for healthy snacks. 

Joy Bauer, Nutrition Expert on the Today Show dreamed up Nourish Snacks to “create a convenient way to enjoy delicious, good-for-you snacks every day.”  And by good for you she means simple, healthy ingredients with no GMOs, no artificial colors or sweeteners, no harmful preservatives, and most importantly no more than 200 calories per pack.  You can subscribe and receive a box each week, or simply shop a la carte.  They’re the perfect size to stash in my purse for long days away from the studio and there are SO many snack combos to choose from you’ll never get bored.  While I like each and every one I’ve tried (no joke, I like them all), I’d have to say my favorites are Chili’n In The Corn’r, Cashew Colada, and PB Jammin’.  Eat Happy!  truly, MKR

*All images original to Waiting On Martha.  This post was sponsored by Nourish Snacks, a brand I absolutely adore.  Opinions are 100% my own.

Best Ever Guacamole Recipe

Filed Under > Appetizers & Sides

guacamole recipe

On Wells Street in Chicago sits one of my favorite Mexican restaurants, Adobo Grill.  It was here, about a decade or so ago, that I was introduced to table side guacamole.  Ever since that life changing moment (I know dramatic, but seriously) I have been perfecting my own guacamole recipe and I finally feel its ready to share with the world.  And just in time for Cinco de Mayo.  TGIF Loves!  truly, MKR   

Photo  ||  Rustic White

P.S. Every lover of guacamole needs a molcajete and World Market gave me a little early access to their friends and family sale so if you haven’t invested now is the time.  Get 25% off everything, yep everything, with code FNFSV.

Best Ever Guacamole
Yields 2
Write a review
Print
Prep Time
15 min
Total Time
15 min
Prep Time
15 min
Total Time
15 min
Ingredients
  1. 2 softened avocados, halved
  2. 1/2 a white onion chopped
  3. 1 small tomato chopped
  4. 1 jalapeno chopped
  5. 1 garlic clove
  6. 1 lime, halfed
  7. 10 sprigs of cilantro chopped
  8. pinch of salt
  9. pinch of garlic salt
  10. pinch of cayenne pepper
  11. Tortilla Chips for dipping
Instructions
  1. In a molcajete grate 1/2 clove of garlic and the juice of 1/2 a lime, rub thoroughly over covering the bottom of the molcajete.
  2. Add 1 avocado, and half of the onion, tomato, jalapeno, and cilantro mix with molcajete stone. You want the consistency to be chunky rather than creamy.
  3. Repeat with the remaining ingredients and mix.
  4. Juice 1/2 lime over mixture, add salt, garlic salt, and cayenne to taste. Mix one last time and enjoy.
Welcome by Waiting on Martha https://waitingonmartha.com/
Copyright © Welcome by Waiting on Martha  /
Back to Top