Blog - Sweet Life

Chicken and Poblano Tamales with Cilantro Crema

Chicken and Poblano Tamales with Cilantro Crema Early December I was invited to attend a Tamalada with Nestle in Los Angeles. I love tamaladas as we have one every year. Families gather for a day of making tamales, laughs, catching up and great food. In the evening everyone leaves with a few dozen warm tamales, baked goods and a happy heart. Nestle added a great new twist to their tamalada instead of the traditional cookie exchange we would exchange empanadas! A great idea I plan to add to my tamalada. I know my family would go crazy for freshly… Read More

Cinnamon Persimmon Margarita

Cinnamon Persimmon Margarita Last night’s tamalada was a success!! My family and I enjoyed an evening of making tamales, catching up and laughing. We slathered masa, generously filled our tamales, loaded our steamers and sat back and sipped on a few margaritas. The kiddos ran amuck, built a fort and checked in every 5 minutes to see if the tamales were ready. Kids. Last week I had received a wonderful package of Cinnamon Persimmons from Melissa’s Produce and decided they would be the perfect addition to our tamalada fiesta. My mom loves persimmons, but they are hard to find… Read More

Tamales de Chocolate y Nuez

Tamales de Chocolate y Nuez Tomorrow is December 12 a day dedicated to La Reina de Mexico (The Queen of Mexico), The Celebration of the Virgin Mary. We will bundle up as a family and head out to 5:30 am mass to sing Las Mananitas to the Virgin Mary and attend mass. This year I am even more excited as my little sister and her kids will be joining us. The more the merrier! After mass, as we always do we will head out to our favorite panderia (bakery) and pick up freshly made bolillos to enjoy with our breakfast. Last year… Read More

Christmas Cream Cookies with Rompope Frosting

Christmas Cream Cookies with Rompope Frosting My Christmas tree is all set, my lights are twinkling and this Texans has dozens of snowflakes slowly falling from her ceiling. My own winter wonderland in South Texas. Christmas season is here. Christmas music, Las Posadas, tamales, rompope and Christmas cookies is what I look forward to every year. Days spent in the kitchen with family baking, making tamales and sharing stories, sometimes I wish the Christmas season was year – round. The holiday season would not be complete without rompope, a creamy egg based Mexican version of eggnog often spiked… Read More

Pumpkin Cheesecake Empanadas

Pumpkin Cheesecake Empanadas When my mom began working her second job at our local grocery store many things at our house changed. We were lovingly given the tasks of taking care of our own laundry, the dishes and dinner. As an 11 year old I used to scowl at the thought of all the extra work each day, as an adult now I know these are the events that made me who I am. Watching my mom quickly change out of her day job attire and pull on her evening uniform engrained in my heart that a job, work… Read More

Turkey Tostadas

Turkey Tostadas Are we still enjoying leftovers? Two days in my house is the golden rule before I begin to tweak the menu. When it’s time to spruce up those leftovers I always go with an easy turkey tostada. Crispy baked tortillas slathered with refried beans and piled high with shredded turkey. A warm drizzle of cranberry sauce, a handful of pepitas for crunch and dinner is served. I always have a batch of refried beans stashed away in the freezer and my local grocery store helps out by selling pre baked tostada shells. I’m not a black Friday gal,… Read More

Pecan Pie Margarita

Pecan Pie Margarita I am up to my elbows in groceries, silverware and football decorations. With the excitement of our Houston Texans playing this year on Thanksgiving Day (super stoked) I almost forgot to feature an amazing celebratory margarita. I mean turkey, football and tequila on the same day it’s almost too much for this chica! Last year I featured Pumpkin and Cranberry and received rave reviews. Guess I’m not the only gal addicted to tequila. This year I had planned on combining pumpkin and cranberry, a sweet, savory margarita twist. But last week as I flipped through the latest… Read More

Countdown to Thanksgiving ~ My Favorite Recipes

Thanksgiving week is upon us! Are you ready? I am heading out today to pick up a few items and I am heading into the kitchen tonight to prep, chop, dice and clean. I find if I prep enough in advance I can actually relax that day and enjoy my family. I wanted to take this time to share a few of my favorite recipes. Guajillo Cranberry Sauce Apple Chorizo Cornbread Stuffing Rajas de Poblano Mashed Potatoes Fresh Corn Flan Pumpkin Pie Tamales Fresh Apple Cake Pecan Pie Pumpkin Margarita Cranberry Margarita Worried about having a Thanksgiving mishap? Fear not Chef Ingraham… Read More