10-Minute Thai Chicken Pasta with Mighty Spark Food Co.

Hey Babe Hey!

Happy Labor Day! Tonight the hubs & I are bringing you a quick and easy recipe tonight featuring our favorite meat products:

Mighty Spark Food Co.

#BiteBackHunger #SparkAMovement #WinWin

This post is sponsored by Mighty Spark Food Co., but all content and opinions are 100% our own! Thank you SO much, Mighty Spark!

Thomas & I had so much fun making this meal together, especially since it took TEN MINUTES, not to mention: the final dish resulted in EIGHT meals for us to eat on this week! We had two for dinner tonight and have already made a major dent in our meal prep for the rest of the week! I’m all about leftovers, but I reeeeally can’t wait to eat this meal again and again.

Now, ya’ll already know we love Mighty Spark – we featured a fun recipe with the same meat we’ll be using tonight: be sure to try our Tasty Mini Thai Tacos Recipe HERE!

If you stay tuned to my Instagram Stories, AKA where I share sneak peeks, behind-the-scenes, and TONS of #RealLife then you already know:
we un-boxed the lovely cooler of small batch meats Mighty Spark sent with you, then took it to a vote to let YOU CHOOSE which meat you wanted us to create a new Mighty Spark recipe with! No surprise that Mighty Spark’s Sweet Thai-Style Seasoned Ground Chicken was the crowd favorite again!

I actually loooove that we’ll have 2 recipes on Blush & Bourbon with the same key meat ingredient! I love when a fashion staple can be worn multiple ways, and Mighty Spark is definitely a constant staple in our fridge….. why not style the Thai Chicken multiple ways, too?! 😉

Plus, the Thai Chicken double-feature will allow me & the hubs to create even more recipe content for you! If you’re like us and always looking for affordable, ethical pre-seasoned meats you can snag at your local grocer or farmer’s market, then keep reading for more about the Mighty Spark brand + our 10-minute recipe!

Before I dive into the recipe breakdown, I have to mention the Mighty Spark customer service and product delivery is always incredible. I talk a lot on the blog about how important it is for our little fambam to spend our hard-earned money on healthy, local products with a cause, and Mighty Spark makes that so easy to do, because……

Mighty Spark is both.

Mighty Spark launched a #BiteBackHunger Initiative in April 2014, a program that donates one meal to a hungry child for every Mighty Spark item purchased. Can we just take a second to let that sink in……?

How amazing is that?!

You’re going to buy meat at the grocery store every week, regardless. And if you live in the Southeastern United States like we do, you probably live close to a Publix (we’re surrounded by them, actually). Why not make life easier by buying pre-seasoned, top quality meat that gives back by feeding a child in need?

Through its network of charity partners, Mighty Spark hosts meal-packing events in neighborhoods nationwide, sparking a movement that has resulted in millions of meals donated to date. In 2017 alone, Mighty Spark donated a whopping 1,170,200 meals to hungry children; more on that HERE.

Let’s dive in to our super-easy 10-minute Thai pasta recipe. I’m telling ya, the fact that Mighty Spark’s Thai Chicken comes ground and small batch pre-seasoned makes life SO much easier….. and SOOOO much tastier!

By the way, if you’re dying to know more about our cooler un-boxing, head to my Instagram page @misses.blush and check out the Recipes Highlight! I’ve saved a look inside the cooler delivery, dry ice to keep it fresh all day included.

To make our 10-Minute Thai Chicken Pasta, you’ll need all the items pictured here, which I’ll list below:

1 pckg Small Batch Sweet Thai-Style Chicken
1 pckg Linguine or Spaghetti
1 bag Shredded Green & Red Cabbage
1 bag Matchstick Carrots
4 tablespoons Soy Sauce
1 tablespoon Honey
1 teaspoon Peanut Butter
Fresh Garlic & Ginger (to taste)

10-Minute Thai Chicken Pasta Recipe:

Bring water to a boil in pot while sprinkling in sea salt
Add spaghetti or linguine noodles + let boil 6 min. (or 1 min. less than whatever the packaging says)
Grease pan with olive oil and add Mighty Spark Sweet Thai-Style Chicken
Brown meat while noodles soften; strain noodles and use pan to cook veggies
Stir veggies while adding in soy sauce, honey, peanut butter, garlic, & ginger
Once veggies are wilted but still have most of their color, add noodles back into the pot and stir together
Add Mighty Spark Sweet Thai-Style Chicken in and stir until ingredients are blended together
Serve and ENJOY!

Cook Time: 10 Minutes / Serves: 8

Be sure to head over to @MightySparkFood on Instagram to see what they’re up to and give them a follow!

If you’ve tried Mighty Spark products, I’d love to hear your thoughts in the comments! I’d also love to know what meat you’d like to see us cook up a recipe with next! Be sure to check out my Instagram stories and sound off in the comments so we can give ya whatcha want!

Hope you and yours had a lovely Labor Day, babe. Thanks for stopping by Blush & Bourbon, and until next time…..

Cheers!

xoxo,
Elle

Are we best friends yet?!

May 15, 2018May 17, 2018

Tasty Mini Thai Tacos with Mighty Spark Food Co.

Hey Girl Hey!

Sooo glad you stopped by Blush & Bourbon tonight because the hubs and I are sharing all about our NEW favorite – and LOCAL to CLT! – meat products:

Mighty Spark Food Co.

#BiteBackHunger #SparkAMovement #WinWin

(CLICK HERE to visit the Mighty Spark website to LEARN MORE!)

This post is sponsored by Mighty Spark Food Co., but all content and opinions are 100% our own! Thank you SO much, Mighty Spark!

A few days ago we received the COOLEST delivery – pun intended – of Mighty Spark Meat Co. products, right to our front door! The Styrofoam cooler had dry ice packages inside and was “smoking” like a witch’s cauldron when it arrived! Literally, SO COOL!

We received the following Mighty Spark ground meat packages to try:

Sweet Thai-Style Seasoned Ground Chicken
Bruschetta Ground Chicken (seasoned with sun-dried tomato and basil)
Bacon-Bursting Ground Turkey Blend

How amazing is Mighty Spark for sending TWO of each flavor for us to try, ya’ll?! Customer service like that combined with the top notch delivery – opening up that cooler and feeling the products were still frozen hard as a rock – is so important because it means a lot. As consumers the hubs and I have really grown to care about the quality of the food products we buy, from the sourcing to the treatment of animals and every health grade or chemical ingredient in between, and that’s a good thing. That’s why it’s always incredible to learn about a brand that exceeds our expectations, even down to the details beyond taste.

But the taste, though . . . . .

Probably no surprise for two bourbon-loving Southern attorneys, but the Bacon-Bursting Ground Turkey Blend is hands-down our favorite of the three flavors we were sent! It is melt-in-your-mouth delicious, and to be perfectly honest with you: Thomas and I BOTH thought the Bacon-Bursting flavor was made of ground beef! That is, until we read over the packaging while cooking our second container of the flavor to prepare to write this blog post for ya’ll. It’s just that juicy and good!

I honestly can’t believe we both just forgot we were eating ground turkey and have been assuming these are ground beef sliders for days. Well done, Mighty Spark.

Our second favorite flavor is a close call – I mean, they’re ALL SOOO GOOD! – but it’s the Sweet-Thai Style Seasoned Ground Chicken for both of us! We love Thai food ever since we tried it together a few years ago and we had so much fun creating these Tasty Mini Thai Tacos for Taco Tuesday tonight!

Tasty Mini Thai Tacos Recipe:

1 container Mighty Spark Food Co. Sweet-Thai Style Seasoned Ground Chicken
Mini taco shells (hard or soft, up to you!)
1 package Asian salad mix*

BOOM! That’s all you need to make these incredibly Tasty Mini Thai Tacos! The best part is this recipe takes UNDER 15 MINUTES to throw together and is absolutely delicious!

*Pro Tip: Look for these bagged salad mixes in the fresh veggie/salad mix area of your local grocery store! Want a bonus tip? Look for the kind that comes with a container of crunchy won tons and Sesame Ginger dressing you can use to top your tacos! Hello, money saver and flavor creator!

You might be wondering why you literally only need to buy taco shells and a bag of basically lettuce to create mouth-watering flavorful Thai tacos, and that would be because you’ve not tried Mighty Spark products, my friend. Mighty Spark’s meat products are so fresh and full of flavor . . . just packed with seasoning and juicy sauces. That’s why they’re perfect for anyone like us living a fast-paced, busy life while trying to stay healthy and enjoy what we cook!

What You Need to Know:

Mighty Spark products are available at your local Publix!
- Mighty Spark is offering a $3 off coupon at Publix through May 21st, so be sure to check out their various flavors and stock up! CLICK HERE FOR YOUR $3 OFF COUPON!
Also available at the Charlotte Regional Farmer’s Market this summer! YAY!!!!!
- Mighty Spark actually started at the Minneapolis Farmer’s Market and will be available at BOTH the Charlotte, NC AND Daytona, FL markets this summer!

Be sure to head on over to @MightySparkFood on Instagram to see what they’re up to and give them a follow!

If you’ve tried Mighty Spark products, I’d love to hear your thoughts in the comments! Also, help a girl out with some recipe tips for the Bruschetta Ground Chicken flavor! I never know what to do when it comes to Bruschetta-inspired recipes and I’d love to hear your go-to’s!

Thanks for stopping by Blush & Bourbon, and until next time . . .

Cheers!

xoxo,
Elle

Are we best friends yet?!

November 14, 2017November 16, 2017

Fall Entertaining with Sahale Snacks

This shop has been compensated by Collective Bias, Inc. and its advertiser. All opinions are mine alone. #changesnackingforgood #CollectiveBias

Hello, Beautiful!

I’m so excited to share my new – and FAVORITE! and best of all, QUICK+EASY! – fall dessert recipe with you, just in time for your Friendsgiving, Thanksgiving, and any Autumn get-together on your agenda in-between!

My Fall cupcakes – which have the most mouth-watering, salty-sweet vanilla pomegranate nut crumble on top – will leave your guests feeling extra thankful this holiday season!

Let’s dive right in to Fall entertaining with Sahale Snacks, shall we?!

How delicious do these cupcakes look, ya’ll? Vanilla, pomegranate, and citrus are the perfect flavors for an Autumn get-together, and this recipe couldn’t be simpler! I plan on bringing this dish to our Friendsgiving event this-coming Sunday, and I can’t wait to see our friends’ reaction after seeing my hubby’s! (Ya’ll already know he had to shove an entire cupcake in his mouth as soon as we were done with this Sahale shoot!)

I love the juicy pomegranate arils and that hint of orange zest I sprinkled on top, but my favorite topping by far is the Sahale Snacks cashew mix I chopped up for the crunchy nut crumble on top. Before we start listing out what you’ll need for this recipe, let me give you a few shopping tips when it comes to locating Sahale Snacks at your local Giant Landover, Giant Carlisle, Martin’s, or Stop&Shop stores!
Continue reading “Fall Entertaining with Sahale Snacks”

Are we best friends yet?!

September 5, 2017

Poached Cod with Cucumber Dill Sauce // Potatoes + Brussels Sprouts

Hello, Beautiful!

I hope everyone is having a wonderful, long Labor Day Weekend! Leave me a comment about your fun, relaxing, or adventurous plans! I’d love to learn about what sets your soul on fire. Thomas and I spent a pretty perfect day date together on Saturday that had us feeling so romantic and completely lost in the moment. Our day date included us trying a surprisingly delicious new food together . . . and I’ll have a new post for you soon all about our new favorite lunch spot in Charlotte we fell in love with on Saturday!

On Sunday, we met our sweet friends, Michael and Sophie – who are recently engaged (eek!) and were in town for a friend’s wedding all the way from Florida – at an incredible brunch place (also coming to the blog in the near future, yay!). We spent the day with them exploring the Charlotte Regional Farmer’s Market, sampling local muscadine wines, fruits, and ciders. Sophie even found and purchased her wedding dress that day, and let me tell you . . . it. looks. AMAZING! Michael asked Thomas to be a groomsman, and we are so excited for their special day in 2018.

Later that evening, we saw Ed Sheeran in concert at the new Spectrum Center in Uptown Charlotte, and let me tell you . . . I could dedicate about a million blog posts to how incredible that boy was, and I still would never be able to do him justice. No exaggeration, Ed Sheeran was up there all alone on stage with a microphone, a guitar, and a loop kit, and HE. SLAYED. Just slayed my life away. Looped all his own bass by tapping on the guitar with his hands, looped all his own guitar parts, all his own harmonies . . . just freaking ran circles around himself in the most energetic, incredible, genius way.

Our wedding song was “Thinking Out Loud” by Ed Sheeran, so I don’t even think I have words for what it felt like to stand there in Row M on the Floor Level – literally 13 rows back from this sweet, conversational, talented guy that really knew how to make our entire crowd feel like a part of the evening – swaying in my husband’s arms as we danced to our wedding song LIVE.

It’s honestly a little bittersweet just because I know there are not many other concert experiences that will ever possibly compare. Probably one of the top two concerts of my life, you guys. (I’m pretty obsessed with / loyal to Fall Out Boy, sorry not sorry.) If you want to be proud of the money you spent to see a show and want to walk out those venue doors feeling like it was worth every penny, do yourself a favor and go see Ed Sheeran in concert.

Anyway, before the concert last night I wanted to cook dinner for our friends Michael, Chase, and Sophie, especially since we’d gone out for brunch a few hours ago, plus I knew Michael and Sophie had probably been pretty driving in from Florida and attending their friends’ wedding the day before. I wanted to make a dinner that was lightweight yet filling, because – let’s be honest – brunch involved a LOT of champagne and only the heaviest of carbs.

Not at brunch, betch. Brunch carbs actually don’t even count. Science.

Continue reading “Poached Cod with Cucumber Dill Sauce // Potatoes + Brussels Sprouts”

Are we best friends yet?!

June 18, 2017August 15, 2017

Blueberry Mint Lemonade Spritzer

Hello, Beautiful!

Let’s make some refreshing adult lemonade, shall we?

Grab a bottle of your fave white wine and get ready to cool off from this summer heat!

Blueberry Mint Lemonade Spritzer

I don’t know about your neck of the woods, but here in Charlotte, North Carolina, we have been feeling the heat! Each day, we reach the high 80’s or low 90’s, but Lord, does it feel even hotter than that!

We’ve been blessed with a few spring thunderstorms in between the sweltering stuffiness, but that only means some seriously foggy humidity. North Carolina aside, I know my friends in East Tennessee and Nashville have been “enjoying” the same high temperatures.

Honestly, I think it’s about time we all enjoy a nice, refreshing drink to cool the heck off!

I love this movie so much, ya’ll. I laugh hysterically every time, so pretty much any time I can reference, I will.

Continue reading “Blueberry Mint Lemonade Spritzer”

Are we best friends yet?!

May 27, 2017

Memorial Day No-Bake Pie

Hello, Beautiful, and Happy Memorial Day Weekend!

Let’s talk about the sacrifice it takes, shall we?

Memorial Day Weekend is a lovely long weekend that allows us a taste of summertime fun with friends and family. From cookouts to lake days to road trips, there’s always something exciting to get into when life throws us a long summer weekend, and Memorial Day sort of unofficially marks the start of the summer season. But Memorial Day is – more importantly – a time for us to remember the sacrifices that have been made so we can spend our time exactly the way we want to.

If a picture is worth 1,000 words . . . this one is worth one million.

Originating after the Civil War, Memorial Day used to be called Decoration Day, believe it or not. That’s because the Civil War claimed more lives than any battle in U.S. History, and we needed a way to honor the fallen by decorating their graves. Now a federal holiday since 1971, Memorial Day is celebrated on the last Monday of May, and it serves to remind us that freedom isn’t free.

This weekend – and every weekend – I am thankful to those who have served our country and sacrificed their lives for my freedom and protection. Thank you to the men and women who are braver than I, stronger than I, and more worthy of tribute and honor than I. Thank you to our American Heroes.

I’m so darn proud to be an American! Happy Memorial Day Weekend, everyone!

Let’s dive on in to something quick, simple, delicious, and perfect for any Memorial Day event . . . my 10-Minute No-Bake Memorial Day Pie!

This 10-minute no-bake pie is the perfect dish for your Memorial Day weekend festivities! Nothing goes with Memorial Day like some Red, White, and Blue!

For the ingredients and steps it took to make this beauty in under 10 minutes, keep on reading!

Continue reading “Memorial Day No-Bake Pie”

Are we best friends yet?!

April 10, 2017April 23, 2017

Quick & Savory Whole30 Breakfast

Hello, Beautiful!

I hope you’ve had a lovely weekend, filled with rest and relaxation. I spent my Sunday afternoon battling my allergies (they won for a bit, and I took a two hour nap – oops) and spent my Sunday evening saying things like, “Does it really have to be Monday tomorrow?” (Mature, right?)

I did manage to be productive in a few ways (if you count getting your golden retriever a touch-up shave for his lion cut), one of which was accidentally creating the most delicious, savory Whole30 compliant breakfast. I say “accidentally” because when it comes to Whole30, I’m better at abiding by the full-length approved shopping list than working with a specific recipe. I much prefer to throw whatever I’m craving into a pan and just go with it. And this time . . . oh, man. Talk about a major weekend win and me falling in all kinds of love with sauteed kale.