The ladies in my family have weighed in with the best Trader Joe’s and Sephora products that we are loving! It’s fun being together with my sister, Teresa, and daughter, Alexandra to exchange our favorite things at these stores. And I am hoping that you will weigh in with your favorites in the comments.
My son-in-law, Luca is sharing his recipe for Paella with Seafood, Chicken, and Chorizo. He’s here with my daughter and granddaughter Louisa for Christmas.
It’s Five Fave time with Cindy and Annie!
1. The Top Five New Cosmetics We Love
Saie Tinted Moisturizer (Alexandra turned me on to this…I like that it provides a bit more coverage than Laura Mercier and has a higher SPF of 35) • CEO Brightening Cream (This is Alexandra’s favorite face cream).
Rare Beauty Concealer (gives good coverage under the eyes or where you need it but is lightweight) • Dior Backstage Blush (My daughter and I both like the fresh color that it provides) • Thrive Mascara (I thought my sister had lash extensions but she said it was this mascara. She gave me one and I like it).
2. Best New Trader Joe’s Cheddar Cheese with Scotch Bonnet Chili and Red Peppers
I first had this at Alexandra’s house and loved the creamy, spicy consistency. I recommend it with sliced apples or crackers.
From TJ: “The makers of Trader Joe’s Cheddar with Scotch Bonnet Chilis and Red Peppers have found, these qualities make them a natural companion to the inherent nuttiness and crumbly texture of a classic English Cheddar. Using a mix of time-tested cheesemaking techniques and state-of-the-art equipment, they flavor this savory Cheddar with sweet and fiery Scotch bonnet chili relish to great acclaim in supermarkets across the U.K. – and we’re proud to say that we’re the first to carry it across the pond.”
3. Best New Trader Joe’s Organic Spicy Honey
Alexandra drizzles this on carrots that she roasts in the oven. I’m adding it to our shopping list.
From TJ: “Try it on sandwiches, pizza, or shrimp tacos for an elevated everyday eating experience. Give it a go over pan-fried Gnocchi, roasted carrots, or barbecued meat skewers for a bit of gourmet experimentation. And if you’re really adventurous, you can even try it with pancakes, parfaits, or mixed into tequila- and rum-based cocktails.”
4. Luca’s Paella with Seafood, Chicken, and Chorizo (Paella Mixta)
Our son-in-law, Luca was born in Spain and his Italian mother is an excellent cook (note: her delicious mashed potatoes with mozzarella recipe which we will be making again for Christmas). So, his cooking skills (especially paella) come naturally.
Early in the day of our little dinner party, Howard took Luca and Alexandra to our amazing seafood store with local catches like Mayport shrimp. I babysat three month old, Louisa.
Luca buys his paella seasoning with saffron in Spain but this is similar on Amazon. What is pleasing about this dish are all the layers of flavor.
A Spanish main dish with seafood, rice, chicken and chorizo.
- 3 red bell peppers diced
- 1 white onion diced
- 6 medium tomatoes chopped
- 2 chorizo sausages
- 1-2 tbsp extra virgin olive oil
- 4 boneless, skinless chicken thighs cubed (seasoned with salt and pepper)
- 1 whole garlic head
- 2 packets Paella seasoning with saffron
- 2.5 cups short grained rice such as Arborio or paella rice (usually 100 grams of rice per person)
- 5 cups chicken low-sodium stock
- 6 clams
- 2 lbs shrimp
- 1/2 cup fresh or frozen peas
- 2-3 Rosemary Sprigs
- 4 lemons in wedges
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Brown the chorizo in the olive oil. Remove and chop, then set aside. Then place the chicken in the pan. Cook over medium heat until it starts to brown.
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Place the peppers, onions, and tomatoes in the paella pan with chicken and cook for five to seven minutes. Add back the chorizo to the pan.
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Place the whole unpeeled garlic bulb in the center of the paella pan with the other ingredients. (Once the paella is finished this is great to spread on bread).
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Evenly distribute the rice in the pan. Pour the chicken broth into the pan. Put on medium heat for 10 to 15 minutes until it starts to absorb the liquid.
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Add the clams, shrimp, and frozen peas. The seafood should cook in about 5-7 minutes. Discard any clams that have not opened. The rice should have a nice golden color to it. Sprinkle with lemon juice and add rosemary sprigs and lemon wedges to garnish.
5. Merry Christmas To YOU!
I hope you have a wonderful Christmas. We are having fun with this little bundle of joy. Notice that Louisa has her own stocking on the mantel?
If you are new here, each Sunday I share my top five favorite things along with my friends, Cindy and Annie. It’s like our weekly “catch-up” phone call. If you would like to receive this series every week, please sign up HERE.
This will be our last Fave Faves for 2022 but we will be back on January 8, 2023. Happy holidays!
Let’s see what Annie and Cindy’s Five Faves are this week:
Cindy Hattersley Design
Most Lovely Things
Shop the post:
On your recommendation, I bought Trader Joe’s Cheddar with Scotch Bonnet Chilis and Red Peppers–it is so good!! I don’t think I would have noticed it amongst their huge cheese selection, so thank you for highlighting it. I have TJ’s spicy honey and love it. Recently I drizzled it over arugula salad with hot toasted pine nuts, olive oil, and shaved parmesan–delicious!
Merry Christmas to you and your precious family!
Kim
Wow…great way to serve the honey. Thank you and merry Christmas!!!
Mary Ann,
I really appreciate tips on TJ’s foods. New products arrive almost daily and it’s hard to figure out which are worthy. I will definitely buy the seasoning and cheese. How lucky to have a marvelous cook in the family. Louisa is adorable and grows every time you share a picture of you holding her. (I guess that’s no surprise!) 😊
I’m going to try the Thrive mascara and the Rare Beauty concealer.
Have a wonderful time with the family this Christmas.
Karen B.
Love your posts! Do you have any info on the brand of the paella spice packets??
Mary Ann. Just love the photo of you and Louisa. So nice you can all be together! I hope you have a beautiful Christmas! So nice you have all these good cooks in the house! I always save all your recipes!
Have a beautiful Christmas and New Year!
xoxo
Kim
First and foremost, thank you for a year of wonderful posts. I am always excited to see what new things you have found to share.
The paella recipe is going to the top of my list of new recipes to try. However, there is one step that I am a little confused about. Do you brown the chorizo whole, and then chop them up?
I hope you have a beautiful holiday season, surrounded by family and friends.
Thank you so much, Lois, for your kind comment. Yes…you are right. First, brown the chorizo and then chop. I will make that clearer in the recipe. Thank you.
Happy holidays!
I’m going to check into the Saie tinted foundation. I started using Nars after Laura Mercier changed the formula awhile back. The mascara also sounds interesting for a “lash challenged” woman. The spicy ingredients in the TJs products make them sound like they are worth trying. I know you will just have the best time with that little sweetheart. It’s so nice that you are all together on her first Christmas and you have another chef in the house too!
Thanks, Wren. We are having fun and Luca already agreed to make paella again before they leave.
Louisa is a doll baby, you must be enjoying
every moment.
Hope you have the happiest of Christmases this year Mary Ann with your beautiful family!
xoxo,
Nancy
Thank so much, Nancy…same to you and your sweet family!
Mary Ann, somewhere along the line, we new each other from Winter Park. I don’t know if our older daughters danced together or somehow your son and my youngest, Aubrey, were in a preschool class together??? Not sure but just wanted to say hello and let you know I am enjoying your blog! Merry Christmas to you and your family!
Thanks, Julann. I knew Cathy James from St. Margaret Mary? Our son Tommy is back in Orlando for work. I will ask him…but preschool was a long time ago 🙂
Louisa is just precious. I have printed out several of your recipes today and plan to use them for Christmas. Thank you. I have been using the Thrive mascara for about a year and I love it. No flaking until I take it off. Happy Holidays.
Thanks, Cristi. My daughter is going to print out Luca’s recipe to give to her friends and I am just about to make a grocery list for https://classiccasualhome.com/5-steps-to-easy-dinner-party/
HI MARY ANN,
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Thanks for this info! I will look into it Ingrid!
HimMary Ann,
Lovely that you have your family with you in your new home for Christmas. Spending the first Christmas with Louisa is special!
It’s so nice that you have not one but two cooks (besides yourself) in the family. Enjoy wonderful meals together and a very happy holiday.
Xo Heidi
How precious, Mary Ann, I know you are smitten by Louisa! Merry Christmas to you and your family!!
Merry Christmas to you, Angie!!!
There is not a blog you post where I don’t find a gem. Thank you for all the hacks, recipes, fashion, travel tips etc. I have enjoyed this year. Best to you and yours (especially sweet Louisa) in your new home this holiday season and always.
Thank you, Jill. Merry Christmas!!!
Mary Ann! You must be so happy to have Alie, Luca, and baby Louisa in the house! And how fun that Luca made his paella! I pinned it for later! Such a festive dish!
Merry Christmas!!
XX
It’s deicious, Annie!
typo: delicious!
Hi Mary Ann
Wow this is a good one! I can’t wait to try Lucca’s paella. How clever to use Paella seasoning. I didn’t even know it existed!. Thanks for the makeup tips. I may have to try Allie’s tinted moisturizer, and the TJ’s cheese sounds great. That little Louisa is adorable. I bet you are just enjoying every second!
We are having fun, Cindy!!
Louisa is beyond cute!!!
Thanks! She is very expressive!