Blog - Sweet Life

Easy Enfrijoladas

Easy Enfrijoladas I can always count on my beloved beans to wrap me in comfort on a hectic day. Frijoles de Olla are a staple in my weekly menu. With eggs for breakfast, smashed into a quesadilla or simply with a few avocado slices and a slice of queso beans are so versatile. Last week I spent endless hours editing, on the phone or emailing with my co-author Yvette putting the finishing touches on our cocktail manuscript before we submitted it for review to our publishers. My weekly pot of frijoles was put on the back burner, bummer and all… Read More

Game Day Appetizers with Kendall-Jackson Wine

Game day is the perfect opportunity to invite over a few friends over to cheer on your favorite football team as you enjoy a few appetizers. Quick, delicious appetizers are an easy way to feed a crowd while ensuring everyone stays satisfied for the entire four quarters. No game plan? Don’t worry I’ve got you covered with a few of my go-to football appetizers that require no grilling and can be prepared in advance. These earthy Latin appetizers are rich, full bodied, stick to your ribs good and pair perfectly with Kendall-Jackson AVANT wines. Pepitas along with peanuts are seasoned,… Read More

Cochinita Pibil

Cochinita Pibil I’m in the midst of panning our annual tamalada. A tamalada is where an entire family comes together to tackle the task of making tamales, an enormous amount of tamales. As anyone who has ever made tamales knows it can a painstaking all day event that will leave you mentally and physically drained if attempted alone. Yes, it yields delectable rewards, but I advise you invite a few friends over, make a steaming pot of something delicious and put those guys to work. This year for our annual tamalada I plan to make Cochinita pibil. Cochinita Pibil is… Read More

Día de Los Muertos Empanadas

Sweet Life Disclosure: This is a sponsored post with Latina Bloggers Connect and Cacique. Thank you for supporting the companies Sweet Life collaborates with and allows me to create fun and unique recipes that feature their products. Día de Muertos Los Empanadas I find spending time in the kitchen with my children is when I am more at ease to address a topic or open the doors of communication with a subject that can be difficult. The importance of exposing my children to their culture in sharing the tradition of Día de Los Muertos (Day of the Dead) began with… Read More

Pumpkin Chorizo Queso Fundido

Pumpkin Chorizo Queso Fundido My most requested appetizer is queso fundido, everyone loves it! I absolutely adore queso in any form, so you can be sure it I find any way to add it to my party menu. With so many versions, variations queso fundido can easily be adapted for any season. In the summer we enjoy our queso topped with local shrimp or grilled corn. In the winter with loads of mushrooms or oven roasted potatoes. In spring piled high with pickled radishes. And if Fall with pumpkin, glorious pumpkin. Queso is a rock star appetizer for the fall… Read More

Tequila Lime Wings

Tequila Lime Wings One of my favorite game-day recipes is also the simplest. These sticky flavorful, baked chicken wings with a smoky punch from tequila are not screaming hot making them ultimate crowd pleasing football game appetizer. These wings don’t compromise flavor or texture, but baked to cut back on fat. No frying, no mess these baked tequila wings are juicy, so skip the frying and crank on the oven for a delicious game-day recipe. With the help of Old El Paso’s prepared taco seasoning mix these wings are a breeze to throw together and use ingredients that can be… Read More

Watermelon Salsa

Watermelon Salsa Have you heard this Texas joke? “Texas has four seasons: Almost Summer, Summer, Still Summer, and Christmas.” Well that joke is 100% true. , fall is in full swing in every other state, but get this… yesterday our temperature was highs in the 90’s. I’m half-heartedly complaining – As a proud Tejana I love living in South Texas, knew I would raise my kiddos here yet some days I yearn to view the change of seasons. And when I begin to feel a little down about missing the change of seasons I remind myself that living in Texas… Read More

Strawberry Whiskey Sour

Strawberry Whiskey Sour A satisfying combination of whiskey, fresh citrus juice, and simple syrup, whiskey sours is one of the most popular cocktails from the sours family. Sour, sweet, tart with a punch of whiskey. I am currently obsessed with this cocktail. Fresh citrus juice is key for an amazing whiskey sour, please no bottled – people it only takes a few seconds to squeeze fresh citrus juice and trust me it makes all the difference. A traditional Whiskey Sour includes egg white which can dilute the sourness of the cocktail, but the layer of froth makes for a smother cocktail…. Read More