Blog - Sweet Life

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

Rajas de Poblano Mashed Potatoes

Rajas de Poblano Mashed Potatoes Chunky mashed potatoes flecked with rajas de poblano oh yeah that’s a Thanksgiving side dish I can wrap my lips around. I’m all about the sides and mashed potatoes play a major role in making this gal happy every Thanksgiving. Confession: Late night out, a few too many drinks and I always get lethal 2am craving for tacos de papa con rajas de poblano. As I stuffed my face the thought occurred to me this combination would be a great Thanksgiving side dish. Maybe it was the boozy effects of tequila or the intense craving… Read More

Apple Chorizo Cornbread Stuffing

Apple Chorizo Cornbread Stuffing I love Thanksgiving. Okay let me be honest I love Thanksgiving stuffing! And Thanksgiving mashed potatoes and Thanksgiving gravy…. I’m all about the side dishes. Chorizo, cumin and oregano give this stuffing a hearty bite, while the cilantro and apple add a sweet perk. Make your favorite cornbread recipe or feel free to use a quality cornbread from your local bakery. We are celebrating Thanksgiving with Food Network and some of my favorite food bloggers! Pull up a chair and check out the amazing feast!! follow along on twitter #PullUpAChair Cocktails, Appetizers, Salads… Read More

Saffron Rice with Golden Raisins and Pine Nuts

Saffron Rice and Golden Raisins and Pine Nuts Happy Friday!! I have a very special post for you today. My friend Faith Gorsky from An Edible Mosaic just had her first cookbook released: An Edible Mosaic: Middle Eastern Fare with Extraordinary Flair. I’m excited to be participating in her virtual book launch party and sharing a recipe from the book! The book has over 100 Middle Eastern recipes, with a focus mainly on dishes from the Levant, but also a few recipes from other areas of the Middle East. After getting married Faith spent six months living in the… Read More