Blog - Sweet Life

Slow Cooker Black Beans

Slow Cooker Black Beans are seasoned with cumin and garlic and simmer away for hours until tender and delicious in my slow cooker. A fuss-free meal option that allows me to move on with my day, without having to watch the pot on the stove. Easy Slow Cooker Black Beans Slow cooker black beans are the ultimate weekend comfort food. They’re warm, inviting, and perfect for a lazy weekend at home spent lounging around the house or binge watching your favorite show. Cooking beans on the stove requires a lot of time spent in the kitchen watching over them… Read More

Host Your Own Pizza Bar This Football Season

Fall is in full swing and that means it’s time to celebrate one of my favorite seasons — football season! Here in Texas, football is an important part of the local culture. And football is a big part of our family get-togethers too, so I just love to throw football parties that include our family and friends. Football season is the perfect time to gather around the big screen and cheer on your favorite team, and of course, load up on all of your favorite foods. At my parties, I like to serve up a bar-style feast with all… Read More

Tamarind Cumin Roast Chicken

My Tamarind Cumin Roast Chicken is my go-to dinner for two. Seasoned with a delicious tamarind sauce this meal takes minimal time to prepare, plus the oven does most of the work. I am excited to be partnering with Land O’ Lakes this year to bring you exciting new recipes. Thank you for supporting the brands I collaborate with. Tamarind Cumin Roast Chicken Life has been hectic lately. Between the packing, moving and unpacking, I have been so busy that it has been impossible to get a few moments with mi carino. At our old place, we used to have a monthly… Read More

Mini Beef Empanadas

Mini Beef Empanadas The holidays are just around the corner and that means busy days in the kitchen, preparing all kinds of delicious meals, and last minute shopping sprees to pick up the perfect gifts for all of my favorite people. Whether I’m on the go, or busy with baking, gift wrapping or other holiday tasks, I love to whip up an easy snack that I can eat on the run or enjoy with a mug of cafe during the downtime. One of my favorite quick and easy holiday snacks are empanadas. Think about it, they’re portable, packed with flavor and… Read More

Dulce de Leche Pepita Bars

These delightfully delicious dulce de leche pepita bars come together in a snap. The beauty of these bars is they are a one-bowl delight. A few stirs, place your batter in a pan, a few delicious dollops of dulce de leche and into the oven they go. I’m excited to partner with Eagle Brand Sweetened Condensed Milk to bring you a fun Holiday recipe as part of their UnCookie Exchange campaign. Guys! Texas is experiencing fall weather, and I love it. We Texans usually do not have the luxury of experiencing any fall weather and move straight to a two-week window… Read More

Skillet Roasted Pork Loin with Marigold Cream Sauce

Inspired by Day of the Dead I’ve teamed up with Smithfield Pork to bring you a skillet roasted pork loin that encompasses the flavor and colors of this beloved Mexican tradition. Pan-seared pork tenderloin is the perfect fail-proof way to achieve a flavorful pork loin. Browned to achieved a rich crust then finished off in the oven pork loin is not only an under thirty-minute meal, it a showstopper. Warm from the oven sliced and served with an infused marigold sauce this pork loin is the ultimate day of the dead inspired meal. Pork tenderloin is a lean protein, so it’s crucial… Read More

Mango Marigold Margarita

A vibrant Day of the Dead margarita that features marigold infused tequila, fresh mango juice and plenty of lime juice is a wonderful cocktail when trying marigolds, the flower of the dead, for the first time. Mango Marigold Margarita Tis the season for my favorite flower, the marigold. When October draws near all I can think about is this beloved flower. Marigolds, cempasuchil is the traditional flower used to celebrate Dia de Los Muertos. An important Day of the Dead symbol these flowers symbolize death, referred to as the flower of the dead they are placed on… Read More

Fried Drum with Marigold Crema

Fried drum lightly dusted with seasoned cornstarch then fried until golden brown is served with a creamy marigold crema. This Day of the Dead recipe is a nod to our South Texas coastal town. Fried Drum with Marigold Crema I recently had the opportunity to co-host a Dia de Los Muertos dinner for the local community. Elena Flores and I asked a few talented people to join me as I wanted to showcase all the beauty of this tradition. Our plan was an evening where we could share the culture, beauty, and customs of Dia de Los Muertos through… Read More