Lulu Perez

13/04/2026

Hamburger Helper was the inspiration from my teen years.. Making it at home from scratch from quality ingredients is just chef’s kiss💯
Cheesy beefy shells
Ingredients
- 1.3 lbs beef
- 1/4 cup Tomato paste
- 1 1/2 tsp smoked paprika
- 2 tsp garlic seasoning salt
- 1/4 tsp dried basil
- 1/4 tsp chile powder
- 32 oz beef or chicken broth
- 1/2 cup water
- 1 cup heavy cream
- Half large white onion, diced
- 4-6 garlic cloves, minced
- Half cup grated parm
- 8 oz cheddar or Colby jack cheese

Directions
1. In a large skillet, cook the ground beef then add the tomato paste, let the tomato paste cook down with the ground beef for about 3 minutes. Add the spices. Then the onions, garlic and tomato. Cook for about 5 minutes.
2. Add the chicken or beef broth and water. Then the heavy cream. Mix until combined. Add the pasta shells. Cover with the lid and allow to cook for about 25 minutes on medium low heat.
3. Lastly, stir in the Parmesan and cheddar cheese. Taste and check for salt, add a pinch of salt if needed or extra seasoning if you’d like. Cover with the lid.

22/02/2026

Our Valentine’s Day baby, Sadie Grace Perez💖 first week with our girl and we are just soaking it all in officially as a family of 4✨🥲

30/01/2026

Fun dinner idea

Chicken and mushroom noodle stir fry
Ingredients for the Chicken Marinade
- 1 or 2 chicken breast, cut into bite size pieces (I used 1 large chicken breast)
- 1/4 cup low sodium soy sauce
- 1 tbsp grated ginger, I used the frozen cube
- 2 tsp sriracha
- 2 tsp honey
- Seasoned with a pinch of salt and pepper
Directions
1. Season the chicken with garlic seasoning salt and pepper, sprinkle some corn starch. Toss in the marinade. Refrigerate for at least 30 minutes. (I marinated the chicken all day)

Other ingredients
- half white onion, sliced
- 3-4 garlic cloves minced
- 2 carrots, sliced into medallions
- Frozen peas
- 16 oz cremini mushrooms, sliced
- 2 packages of the Trader Joe’s dried noodles with the sauces
- 1/2 cup chicken stock or broth

Directions
1. In a large wide skillet, heat to medium. Sear the chicken on both sides and remove onto a plate.
2. In a large pot, boil the noodles until partially cooked. Remove and set aside.
3. In the same skillet, cook down the onions, garlic and carrots, add half of the chicken stock. Cover with the lid so the carrots can steam and become fork tender for about 3-5 minutes. Meanwhile, mix both packages of the spicy garlic sesame sauce and half of one package of the sesame seed paste. Add some more soy sauce, whisk and set aside.
4. Add the mushrooms and peas into the skillet and allow that to cook down for about 5 minutes. Lastly, add the noodles, chicken and sauce. Toss until combined and enjoy!

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22/01/2026

🍝Spaghetti and meatballs🍝
Also made spaghetti squash for some added veggies, for me and my toddler😊

Ingredients for the Meatballs
- 1 lb ground turkey
- 1 egg
- 1/4 cup plain breadcrumbs
- 1/4 cup grated Parmesan
- 1 tsp garlic seasoning salt
- Fresh cracked pepper
- 1/2 tsp dried parsley
- Pinch of salt

Combine and using a medium size cookie scoop, you’ll scoop about 16 balls

Other ingredients needed
- 1 lb spaghetti
- 1 shallot, diced
- 4 garlic cloves, minced
- Jarred marinara sauce

Directions
1. Using a large wide skillet, heat to medium heat. Drizzle with olive oil. Brown the meatballs on all sides. Remove onto a plate.
2. In the same skillet on medium low, drizzle with olive oil. Cook down the shallots and garlic until fragrant. Pour in the jarred sauce and add some water into the jar to get any excess marinara sauce and pour into skillet. Season with a nice pinch of salt (1/2 tsp) but you can taste and add more to your liking. Add the carrot pieces and simmer for 5 minutes. Then add the meatballs in the pan in the marinara sauce. Top with lid and cook for about 45 minutes on low heat.
3. Once the meatballs are done cooking in the sauce. Cook your pasta in salted water. Then toss in with the marinara sauce. And done!

07/01/2026

At 33 weeks pregnant, are we watching our calorie intake carefully? No we are not😄 hence the hot Cheetos
Eating and making what I crave is the most fun about being pregnant and on vacay.

29/12/2025

Craving satisfied🥲

Chiles rellenos
Ingredients
- 6 Chiles poblanos
- 5 eggs
- all purpose flour
- 8 oz block Monterey Jack cheese, cut into rectangle pieces
- salt

Tomato salsa
- 2 large Roma tomatoes or 3 little ones
- Quarter onion
- 1 garlic clove
- Half piece dried Guajillo Chile
- Salt
- About 1 1/2 cup Chicken broth
- Garlic seasoning salt or chicken bouillon

Directions
1. Place the chiles on an open flame on the stovetop. Monitor and turn them occasionally as they start to blister and skin is charred. Place them in a ziploc bag and seal it. Allow to cool for about 30 minutes.
2. Using a knife make a slit in the chile from the stem to the center of the chile (try not to slice the whole chile open, you just want to create a little pocket). Cut the center membrane keeping the stem intact and scoop out the seeds using a spoon. Repeat and set aside.
3. Place about 4 slices of cheese so it’s filled. Then, using 2 or 3 toothpicks, close the pepper so it’s somewhat sealed. Set aside.
4. In a large size bowl, separate the egg whites and egg yolks, placing the egg whites in the large bowl. Using a hand mixer, mix until the egg whites form stiff peaks. Then, mix in the yolks. Season with salt.
5. Dust the Chiles with flour, all around. This helps for the egg to adhere to the Chiles.
6. Using a medium size wide skillet, fill it 1/3 with oil (vegetable, avocado or canola oil). Once very hot, dip the chile into the egg mixture so it’s coated and place in the oil. Repeat. Turn the Chiles carefully so it’s fried all around. Place on a plate lined with paper towels.
7. Tomato salsa- boil the tomatoes, onion, and chile in some water until softened. Then strain the water and blend with garlic clove and chicken broth. Season with salt and/or garlic seasoning salt. Pour back into pot with sliced onions and simmer on low for about 10 minutes. Done.
8. Serve the chile relleno with rice and/or beans and pour the salsa over the chile. Enjoy!

09/12/2025

Weekend was eventful✨We had the honor of baptizing our sweet little niece, Emmy💟

14/11/2025