Dalia Ceja

Dalia Ceja is a Latina in love with sharing lifestyle tips and trends focused on fashion, travel, food, drinks and fiestas.

Food & Drink

Just Peachy Bread Pudding

Food & DrinkComment

[quote][typography font="Homemade Apple" size="22" size_format="px"] Good food isn't a treat, it's a necessity...[/typography][/quote]

Throughout the summer, I’ve become obsessed with peaches {in pie, in sangria, in fruit salad, by themselves, you name it!}. I recently came across the most delicious peach bread pudding at El Dorado Kitchen in Sonoma Square and couldn’t resist recreating this delectable treat at home.

The key to making a stellar bread pudding is to use stale, day old bread. Yes, it’s true. So the next time you’re about to toss that day old bread, stop and rethink that decision. In my opinion it's great for breakfast or dessert and is real comfort food that will welcome you home, soothe you, and fill the house with enticing aromas…

P.s. For all you foodies out there, get inspired and take a peek at FoodPornDaily {click, drool, repeat!}.

{Sourdough bread is my favorite!}

{White peaches from the farmer's market}

{Cut the peaches into small slices}

{Let the wet mixture sit for 10 min}

{First batch ready for the oven! Ole!}

Dalia’s Peachy Bread Pudding

Serves: 6-8 people Cook time: 35-40 min

Ingredients

  • 1 1/2 cups granulated sugar
  • 4 large beaten eggs
  • 2 cups milk
  • 2 teaspoons pure vanilla extract
  • 3 cups of cubed stale sourdough bread
  • 2 cups of chopped peaches
  • 1 cup packed light brown sugar
  • 1/4 cup (1/2 stick) butter, softened
  • 1 cup chopped pecans

Ingredients for the sauce:

  • 1/2 cup granulated sugar
  • 1/4 cup (1 stick) butter, melted
  • 1 egg, beaten
  • 1 teaspoons pure vanilla extract
  • 1/4 cup brandy

Directions:

Preheat the oven to 350 degrees F. Grease a 13 by 9 by 2-inch pan or use individual ramekins.

Mix together granulated sugar, eggs, and milk in a bowl; add vanilla. Pour over cubed bread and chopped peaches and let sit for 10 minutes.

In another bowl, mix and crumble together the brown sugar, butter, and pecans.

Pour bread mixture into prepared pan or ramekins. Sprinkle brown sugar/pecan mixture over the top and bake for 35 to 40 minutes, or until set. Remove from oven.

Directions for the sauce:

Mix together the granulated sugar, butter, egg, and vanilla in a saucepan over medium heat. Stir together until the sugar is melted. Add the brandy, stirring well. Lightly drizzle the sauce over bread pudding and enjoy. ¡Ole!  

Move. Learn. Eat.

Travel, Food & Drink3 Comments

You know that feeling you get when your heart starts racing and you can’t stop thinking & dreaming of all the endless opportunities in life? The thoughts that keep you up into the wee hours of the morning?! Well, that’s the feeling I got when I watched this video. Do yourself a favor and WATCH… Video in a nutshell: 3 guys, 44 days, 11 countries, 18 flights, 38 thousand miles, an exploding volcano, 2 cameras and almost a terabyte of footage... all to turn 3 ambitious linear concepts based on movement, learning and food into 3 beautiful and compelling short films = a trip of a lifetime…

MOVE from Rick Mereki on Vimeo.

I’ve mentioned it in previous posts {but to make it perfectly clear} I have an addiction to traveling the world. Much like the MOVE video, I had a similar experience, but mine took place a year and a half ago in South America with my best friend. Exploring five countries, over 500 hours of bus rides, crashing in hostels, visiting Machu Picchu, trekking up an active volcano, falling in love {with Chile}, swimming in the gorgeous white beaches of Brazil, eating amazing asado {Argentian BBQ} and most importantly, discovering who I really am…

For me, my experiences can be described in three words {that are tattooed on my forearm} - live your passions. I felt so inspired and moved by this video and it reminded me so much of my own travels that I wanted to share my enthusiasm and excitement with you!

Here are some of my favorite pictures {and memories} when I traveled to South America. Ole!

{Local Peruvian women & children with Lamas that we met in Cusco, Peru}

{Kids playing soccer in Cusco City, Peru}

{Exploring Machu Picchu with my traveling gnome: a bottle of Ceja Vineyards Merlot}

{Man-made floating islands made out of straw. Lake Titicaca, Peru}

{Brazilian men, tanning themselves. Rio de Janeiro}

{View from the top of the Villarrica Volcano. Pucon, Chile}

{Watching the sunrise on Copacabana beach, Rio de Janiero. Amazing}

{Capoeira dancers in Bahia - Northern Brazil}

{Ipanema, Beach 9 in Rio de Janeiro}

{Tango dancers in La Boca. Buenos Aires, Argentina}

P.s. What are some of your favorite travel experiences? I love hearing stories, so please share!

 

NVMAVA Inaugural Celebration!

Fiestas, Food & DrinkComment
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DaliaCejaNVMAVA5

[quote][typography font="Homemade Apple" size="26" size_format="px"]¡Si se puede![/typography][/quote]

This past Saturday, July 30th, was a historical day for my family and the newly formed NVMAVA, “Napa Valley Mexican-American Vintners Association.” It was a day to celebrate and toast to the unity of many Latino vintners. Some of the founding board members include Ceja Vineyards, Mi Sueño Winery, Robledo Family Vineyards, Encanto Vineyards, Alex Sotelo, Maldonado Vineyards and many more.

This inaugural event was a celebration of the first and only U.S. wine organization of its kind, whose purpose is to promote and bring awareness to the family owned Hispanic wineries in the Napa Valley. The afternoon festivities were memorable and fun! We feasted on delicious food catered by top Latino chefs from Napa and sipped on wine provided by all of the NVMAVA participating wineries.

It was an exciting afternoon shared with proud family members and friends who have worked so hard to create this important association. My dad, Pedro Ceja, was instrumental in creating the NVMAVA logo, which symbolizes “the inner circles of the Hispanic community coming together.”

As the daughter of two ambitious and hardworking Latino parents, I felt proud and honored to be sharing a part of history that will make an impact on the wine industry. Ole!

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DaliaCejaNVMAVA1

{The next generation: my cousin Belen & I}

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DaliaCejaNVMAVA4

{My dad giving a speech about the NVMAVA logo}

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DaliaCejaNVMAVA2

{Try a splash of our Sexy Ceja Pinot Noir}

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DaliaCejaNVMAVA3

{Turquoise dress via French Connection}

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DaliaCejaNVMAVA6

{Ceja Vineyards bell symbolizes a "celebration of life"}

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DaliaCejaNVMAVA7

{Maldonado Caves}

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DaliaCejaNVMAVA8

{Please visit nvmava.org for more info!}

Playa del Carmen (Part Three)

Travel, Food & DrinkComment

[quote][typography font="Homemade Apple" size="20" size_format="px"]Here’s to the days where the sand is your seat, the waves kiss your feet and the ocean pulls you into paradise…[/typography][/quote]

I can truly say that Playa del Carmen is my new favorite beach destination in Mexico.  With its gorgeous white beaches, wide array of activities, luxurious {and affordable} accommodations, and exquisite food scene you are immersed and captivated into the tropical splendor of the Caribbean…

For those of you who are unfamiliar with Playa del Carmen, it’s located in the heart of the Maya Riviera, about 40 miles south of Cancun and directly across from Cozumel island.  Having quickly grown from a small fishing village to a bustling cosmopolitan town, it attracts international travelers to experience a true Caribbean beach vacation. Its central location also makes it convenient to the sights & adventures on Mexico's tropical coastline.

We spent four glorious days in Playa {as the locals call it}.  It was hardly enough time to explore this beautiful beach town. Everyday we were swept away with the magical experiences of zip lining, white beaches, archaeological sites, cenotes {large sinkholes}, authentic Mexican food, mojitos, etc. In the evenings we explored Quinta Avenida, a popular pedestrian street that runs parallel to the beach. This charming avenue is filled with amazing bars, restaurants and shops.

I felt like a kid in a candy store and couldn’t get enough of the sun and fun. I wish I could have packed it all up and taken it home with me.

Here are a few of my favorite pictures in Playa del Carmen… Ole!

{Top choice for breakfast in Playa. Enjoy eating & sitting in the middle of a lush jungle setting!}

Breakfast: chilaquiles & fresh fruit juice at La Cueva del Chango. Amazing!}

{Beautiful skylight made out of wine & beer bottles at the restaurant. I want one at home!}

My traveling gnome: a bottle of Ceja Vineyards Chardonnay. I don't leave home without one!}

{Beach view from our hotel The Mahekal Beach Resort. Paradise.}

{Fresh fruit stands at the beach}

{Street food: pineapple, watermelon & papaya with lime juice & chile powder}

Dinner at the famous Cuban restaurant, La Bodeguita Del Medio. Check out the live salsa music & killer mojitos!}

{In another life, I think I was a mermaid...}

{A few incredible days in paradise made amazing memories that won't soon be forgotten. Hasta la proxima vez!}

 

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Red, White and Blue

Fiestas, Food & DrinkComment
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This past weekend was all about eating, drinking and catching up with friends & family. It was a much needed extended weekend perfect for BBQ’s, laying pool side with my lovely girlfriends, and picking up last minute items for our upcoming trip to Mexico this week! {Stay tuned for some exciting Mexico posts! We will be traveling to the Yucatán Peninsula… can you guess where?!}

Here’s a little peek of how I spent my 4th of July weekend… Ole!

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{Schramsberg Brut Rosé bubbles are my favorite!}

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{Me & my adorable niece Isa, a.k.a Chupi}

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{Homemade beer can chicken paired with Campesino Pinot Noir. Thanks Macario, it was deeelish!}

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(Dessert bar... I'm still dreaming of the coconut & chocolate chip cookies!}

Fireworks
Fireworks

{Stunning fireworks by the Napa Riverfront}