Blog - Sweet Life

How to Make Marigold Tamales

Marigold Tamales para mi Abuelita. Dried Marigolds bring an earthy depth of flavor, and a touch of warmth, to the poached chicken breast filling. Together, with the creamy, comforting masa, the marigold-infused filling in the steamed tamales capture the beautiful spirit and my fond memories of my Abuelita Cuca. Today I want to share how to make marigold tamales. To this day I cannot eat a tamale without thinking of my Abuelita Cuca. I grew up watching my small yet fierce grandmother make magic in the kitchen – effortlessly scooping up masa and with a quick flick of the… Read More

How to set up a Cantarito Bar

The Cantarito is a tequila cocktail served in a jarrito de barro (clay cup/jug), made with tequila, citrus juices and topped with grapefruit soda. I set up a Cantarito DIY bar in honor of Dia de Muertos for my dinner guests to shake up their own cantarito, and it was a hit! If you love a good Paloma, you will love a Cantarito. Similar in the base of grapefruit like a paloma, but with much more citrus flavors with the incorporation of orange and lime juice the Cantarito is refreshing and can easily be set up as a… Read More

Homemade Chamoy Peach Rings

How to easily make chamoy peach rings at home with a few simple ingredients. Peach rings, chamoy and Tajin are all you need to make these homemade chamoy peach rings. If you grew up eating Mexican candy, you will definitely want to try this easy recipe for chamoy peach rings. They are so easy to make, you can whip them up in no time. Chamoy candy, often called dulces enchilados, can be found everywhere in Mexico – street vendors, grocery stores and have made their way here to South Texas. Find them served over raspas, ice cream, and… Read More

Manzanilla Canela Latte

A manzanilla canela latte is quickly becoming my nightly ritual to help this Señora soothe herself to sleep. Made with dried manzanilla, canela, honey and frothed milk this cozy latte is delicious. Our coldest months in Tejas occur in January and February. I find myself craving something extra warm to sip on while I settled in to watch TV. This manzanilla canela latte is mix of everything my Abuelita made for me growing up – warm manzanilla scented with canela and sweetened with honey. The addition of frothed milk makes this latte a welcome sip after a long… Read More

Cocktel Bandera Mexicana

Cocktel Bandera Mexicana as written in Josefina Velazquez de Leon COCKTAILS cookbook is a made with tequila, lime juice, sugar, and diced jicama, green grapes and cherries to represent the Mexican flag. This cocktail is from the Cocktail book written by Josefina Velázquez de León. Josefina Velázquez de León was a Mexican cook, researcher, writer, culinary educator, radio host, and early pioneer in culinary television. She ran a cooking school in Mexico City and between the 1930s and 1960s published over 150 cookbooks. From the 1930s through 1960s, Josefina wrote and published more than 140 cookbooks on topics… Read More

Piccadilly Raspa Recipe

My Piccadilly Raspa (snow cone) recipe is a sweet and sour snow cone made with cherry syrup and pickle chunks topped with Tajin, chamoy gummy candies. A Piccadilly is a deliciously sour treat to enjoy on a hot summer day in South Texas. The name raspa comes from the Spanish term hielo raspado, or scraped ice. I grew up on raspas – Brownsville, Edinburg, Matamoros every chance I had I would ask Papi (my dad) buy me a raspa. Raspas remain popular in Texas – you can find little stands or trucks parked near grocery stores, laundromats and… Read More

Poblano Artichoke Dip

My poblano artichoke baked dip is a guaranteed party hit! It’s deliciously creamy, cheesy, and spiced up with poblanos. Served with warm tortilla chips, your guests will devour it! If you love hosting and are on the hunt for a new appetizer that is simply delicious …have I got a good one for ya! My poblano artichoke poblano dip is for you! It’s creamy, cheesy, and brimming with one of my favorite chiles, the poblano. It’s so good that every time I make it, it’s the first appetizer to go. My guests inhale it – that’s a sign… Read More

Coconut Water Strawberry Vodka Cocktail

My coconut water strawberry vodka cocktail is a refreshing and hydrating coconut water cocktail made with vodka. A twist on vodka tonic without the tonic this easy to make cocktail will keep you hydrated in the Texas heat. Looking for an easy cocktail made with coconut water? I’ve got you covered. My coconut water strawberry vodka cocktail is perfect for a hot day. It’s made with just 5 simple ingredients – coconut water, vodka, strawberries, sugar and orange juice. If you love the combination of vodka and coconut, this easy cocktail is going to be one of your favorite… Read More