Blog - Sweet Life

Empanadas de Cajeta

Empanadas de Cajeta Two weeks ago my girls asked if we could make empanadas. I said sure why not; gathered the ingredients and hurriedly rushed through the process. Thoughts of my to do list, my laundry load and gutting the garage whizzed in my head as I shaped the dough. My hands moved in a mechanical motion as I arranged the circles and handed the girls the filling. I have gotten better or should I say I am making small steps toward slowly down and relishing in the moments since our move home. I placed the baking sheet… Read More

Garbanzo Salad with Mango Cumin Dressing

Garbanzo Salad with Mango Cumin Dressing My mother loves garbanzo beans (chickpeas). You can always find them in her pantry and she frequently eats them for lunch in a salad or adds them to her soups. I had some leftover mango cumin dressing from our movie night and I decided to use it on a quick salad for my mother and I for lunch. This salad came together very quickly; a few strokes with the knife and you are done. Loaded with garbanzo beans, red onion, avocado, cucumber and jicama. Served over a bed of fresh spinach or even with a bowl of crispy… Read More

Agua De Piña

Agua De Piña We have been spending a lot of time outside on the slip and slide, not me, but the kiddos. Can you imagine me on a slip and slide? Pretty scary. The kids slip and I sip, they slide and I sip. I say it’s a pretty fun time for all involved. Aguas frescas are one of the highlights of summer, that and paletas of course. Fruit blended until shiny smooth, mixed with a bit of water and sweetened to taste. It really doesn’t get any better. While the kids slip into their bathing suits I quickly blend… Read More

My Special Coffee Moment #IDandME

Summer is here and the kids are running the show!! Play dates, hours on the slip and slide, evenings at the park and late movies. My beloved me time has vanished, which was never much, but it was still mine. So when I was asked to share a special coffee moment, I knew I had to focus on carving out some alone time. I decided to wake up an hour earlier, pour myself a cup of coffee and relish my time with a new book or hobby. The house was quiet, peaceful and all mine. It’s amazing what an hour… Read More

Mango Cumin Salad Dressing

Mango Cumin Salad Dressing I am falling in love all over again with my parents. Since moving back I find myself learning a bit more and more about them every day. Take for instance last week we decided to have family movie night. I would make dinner and my little sister would bring along a dessert, easy. I knew I wanted to serve a big salad along with dinner since my mom loves my salads. Earlier that day I had picked up a box of mangos that I knew would be great in my salad. I wanted… Read More

Roasted Vegetable Tacos

Remember the keep laughing mood I spoke of so highly in my previous post? Well I am relentlessly trying to keep that mentality; you see my oven went bust. A home cooks worst nightmare. I love my oven and after living 2 years in an apartment kitchen cooking with electricity I longed, dreamed and eagerly awaited coming home to my mighty gas oven. The first weeks went off without a hitch. I braised, baked and broiled and even heated leftovers giddy with excitement. Then “poof,” it was out. After I picked myself off the floor I realized one… Read More

Coca Cola Balsamic Marinated Bermuda Onion

I was recently asked to join in on a live broadcast with Chef Eric Lackey from Flamestone American Grill in Oldsmar, Florida. Chef Lackey was the winner of the Walmart Choice Steak Challenge hosted by Wal-Mart, Kingsford and Coca-Cola that kicked off the grilling season and introduced the Walmart’s new line of top quality USDA Choice Steaks. Here are a few tips I learned from the broadcast: Steak should be at room temperature to ensure optimum grilling Just before grilling, pat the steak dry, brush on light coating of vegetable oil or olive oil, and season as desired Wrap… Read More

Agua de Chayote

We have had a few bumps along the way with our move. A new AC install, floors in need of repair and electrical issues. A few headaches, long days of unpacking and plenty of laughs. Because really what can you do? Be miserable or laugh and keep working. We chose laughter. To ease the long days we topped of our tall glasses with refreshing goodness. Aguas are the perfect mid day beverage to rejuvenate the body. Agua Frescas (fresh waters) are made with fresh fruit and a mix of vegetables or seeds. Prepared agua fresca drink mixes can be found in the Latin section of your grocery store, but I find… Read More