Blog - Sweet Life

Campari Sparkling Cocktail

Campari Sparkling Cocktail Campari is a bitter Italian aperitif, a small cocktail typically served before a meal to stimulate the appetite. Made of a blend of herbs and spices campari is the color of ruby-red slippers and is quickly becoming the shining star of my bar. With its unique flavor campari can take some getting used to, but trust me when I suggest you give this heavenly bitter concoction a try. Used in a number of classic cocktails, best known for the Negroni I suggest you add Campari to your cocktails on the softer soft where you can slowly… Read More

Spicy Bean Dip

Spicy Bean Dip Whether you’re gathered around the TV for March Madness, hosting a fiesta or simply enjoying a ladies night – chips and dip are the perfect savory snack. Chips and dip are a popular party fare, but what makes this dish amazing is that is can be made quickly with a few items you likely have in the pantry. Today we get spicy with this Tex-Mex spicy bean dipped made with Old El Paso spicy refried beans. A one skillet appetizer, a quick saute and a few minutes under the broiler and you are set to entertain, but… Read More

Spiced Sangria

Spiced Sangria Sangria is one of the easiest and best cocktails to serve a crowd. A simple combination of fruit and red wine and you are set, too easy. An ideal cocktail for any holiday, celebration, ladies’ night or Sunday family dinner, everyone loves Sangria. Don’t feel the pressure to invest in an expensive bottle of wine to make Sangria find a budget friendly wine that you enjoy. Trust me you will be pleasantly surprised how making it into Sangria will transform that budget-friendly bottle of wine into something irresistible. I like to keep a few bottles of budget-friendly wine… Read More

Spicy Shepherd’s Pie with Kendall-Jackson Wine

Spicy Shepherd’s Pie St. Patrick’s Day is right around the corner and I thought I’d get into the spirit and share with you one of our new-favorite recipes. New favorite as I mean I have only made it three times, but my entire familia enjoyed it so much that they requested it for our Sunday family dinner. Comforting and filling this casserole is traditionally called “Cottage Pie.” Made to stretch leftover meat into another delicious meal shepherd’s pie is made with lamb, vegetables and mashed potatoes. This is a wonderful meal for the meat and potato lovers in the… Read More

Latin Twist – A Pre-Order Giveaway

Latin Twist – A Pre-Order Giveaway Y’all! Latin Twist is almost here! Can you tell I’m excited? If you follow me on instagram, you’ve seen sweet sneak peeks of the process of creating this wonderful cocktail book with my co-author Yvette. And guess what? It is currently off to the printers printing away – I cannot wait to share with you how amazing it came out. To celebrate we have a special “Gracias,” for our readers who pre-order Latin Twist on Amazon.com before March 23rd. If you pre-order the book you will get a sneak peek into Latin Twist. This… Read More

Spicy Shrimp over Pureed Hominy

This recipe was previously published over at The Latin Kitchen. Spicy Shrimp over Pureed Hominy Celebrating Lent season in South Texas means only one thing, Shrimp! Wild-caught straight from the blue water in the gulf Texas shrimp are well known world-wide for their great flavor. South Texans take their feasting for Lent to a whole new level and every year I find myself tweaking a recipe from a fellow Texan to feature on my Lenten table. I enjoyed this recipe at a local shrimp shack where the menu changes daily, the shrimp is always fresh and every dish is served… Read More

Chicken Ranchero Chimichangas

Chicken Ranchero Chimichangas Calling all Tex-Mex lovers! Holy chimichanga! We Texans love anything stuffed, spooned or stuffed into a tortilla, yum! Today I wanted to share a family favorite treat, chimichangas. You can find chimichangas in every Tex-Mex joint her in South Texas, people can’t get enough of them. A flavorful filling spooned into a tortilla, rolled and lightly fried until crispy. Hello good-looking! Shredded cooked chicken is folded into a rich tomato sauce that thickens while it cooks. Feel free to us shredded brisket or pulled pork too. I like to make the filling a few days in advance,… Read More

Tex-Mex Couscous Salad

Tex-Mex Couscous Salad Mi carino loves couscous. Every few months he requests that I make couscous for dinner, so I make sure to keep a plentiful stash hidden away in my pantry. He first tried couscous while he was deployed. He, his fellow soldiers and translator enjoyed a colorful plate of couscous, lamb kebobs and pickled okra during one of their routine stops. He was instantly drawn to the flavor, texture of this tiny grain. He said it reminded him of our rice dishes from home, all that was missing was a brothy ladle of warm pinto beans over the… Read More