Blog - Sweet Life

Cinnamon Water

Cinnamon Water I spotted this cinnamon water on the kitchn and knew I had to give it a try! Try it with sparkling water for a cool addition to your brunch table. Enjoy! recipe from the kitchn

Chicharrón En Salsa Verde In the last month I have prepared, devoured and enjoyed chicharrón en salsa verde three times with my hubby- mi cariño . I have been blessed to have him home on vacation for an entire month. So to say this Christmas season was the best is putting it mildly, it has been a BLAST! My girls have had the pleasure of his company in everything from making snowflakes, baking, building a gingerbread house, wrapping presents and long trips to the park. I, on the other hand have him completely to myself the entire evening and early into the… Read More

Roasted Grape Margarita

Roasted Grape Margarita 12 grapes or Las doce uvas is the tradition of eating 12 grapes at the stroke of midnight. With each grape eaten you make a wish for the New Year. This is one of my favorite family traditions. A tradition bursting with hope for the New Year with a few final laughs in the old year as we stuff our faces with juicy grapes. This year is no different my fridge is stocked with grapes ready for the countdown. There is one tiny detail that will change this year, no champagne. This gal is serving margaritas, chocked… Read More

Ensalada de Noche Buena – Christmas Eve Salad

In Spanish Noche Buena means “Good Night.” In the month of December Noche Buena for Latinos becomes a celebratory part of the Christmas Holiday. Noche Buena means Christmas Eve or Poinsettia and is the final evening of Las Posadas. On Noche Buena families attend misa de gallo (midnight mass). After mass entire families, friends and neighbors come together for La Cena de Noche Buena where the year’s blessings, unity and love are celebrated. This night is celebrated with a fiesta of comida with flavors of every region. This includes tamales, pozole, menudo, turkey, mole, ponche navideño and ensalada de Noche… Read More

Cheesy Refried Beans

Cheesy Refried Beans The final days until Christmas are here!! I find myself in frantic mood trying to squeeze in every last detail on my to-do list. My scheduled/organized house is now upside down, sideways and in much need of some TLC. Lucky me my family is more than happy to chip in and help out with dinner. Our normal dinner ritual might have changed a bit with the busy season, but as long as we come together as a family for our meals. I’m happy. These cheesy refried beans came together easily with little prep… Read More

Homemade Corn Tortillas for the Holidays with Maseca

Homemade Corn Tortillas in the kitchen with Maseca for a holiday tortilla. My mom makes the BEST tortillas!! Hands down they are the best. I’m certain these are the words that flow proudly from every child whose mom makes tortillas, but my mom can seriously rock a tortilla. Every opportunity I get I sneak into the kitchen to gaze at her movements, her technique or any little trick I think would help in my quest to make mine taste even half as good as hers. She kindly reminds me that she has been making tortillas since she was 12. Don’t worry… Read More

Lime Flan

Lime Flan It has rained for the last three days. I have transformed into different person accomplishing so many tasks that had fallen behind and with the rain, giving me reason not to leave the house. I have become efficient. My girls on the other hand have sat through their entire holiday carton collection, filled an entire wall with Christmas art and have finally taken to following me from room to room. Goodness!! What’s a mom to do? Throw a party!! My girls needed a lift, a dose of holiday cheer, excitement. Bring on the Flan!! I’m not sure why I only serve flan… Read More

Polvorones de Chocolate

Polvorones de Chocolate Baking is in full swing here this week as our family prepares for Las Posadas. A celebration that begins on December 16 and ends on Christmas Eve with the Cena of La Noche Buena. This celebration reenacts Mary and Joseph’s search for shelter in Bethlehem. These processions of los peregrinos lead to a different house every night for the culmination of the posada – a fiesta. A fiesta!! Lights twinkle in the background as the Mariachi’s sing traditional Christmas songs. Children play with friends in anticipation of whacking the piñata filled with dulces. Long tables are quickly brimming with regional favorites from Mexico. Tamales,… Read More