Blog - Sweet Life

Pineapple Tamales – Tamales de Piña

Pineapple Tamales Warm tamales wrapped in corn husks brimming with savory a filling of pork or chicken are a traditional festive meal to celebrate Dia de Los Muertos, Las Posadas, Christmas or Lent. But have you tried sweet tamales? Tamales sweeten with chocolate, nuts, fruits or spices the combinations are endless. Served warm with a dollop of whipped cream or a drizzle of dulce de leche they are the perfect sweet ending to any meal. These sweet tamales are made with plump pineapple, juicy raisins and brown sugar. Head over to Imperial Sugar to view, save or print this… Read More

Turkey Picadillo Empanadas – Empanadas de Picadillo de Pavo

Turkey Picadillo Empanadas My hubby loves breakfast sausage with his stack of Saturday morning pancakes. He also loves breakfast sausage with his eggs, on his tostadas, over his chilaquiles and on his pizza. He can’t get enough of it. So when I was asked to create a new recipe using Jimmy Dean fully cooked sausage crumbles I knew I just had to create something that hubby would love. I didn’t want to go the breakfast route, so I thought why not make something we could both enjoy for lunch. I also wanted the recipe to be easy to whip… Read More

Agua Fresca de Toronja con Chia

Agua Fresca de Toronja con Chia Did you know that February is National Grapefruit month? I can’t think of a better way to close out the month of love, by enjoying loads of juicy grapefruits. South Texans are addicted, obsessed with ruby red grapefruits and we use them a lot in our kitchens. Fresh grapefruit juice with our breakfast (my favorite is grapefruit, nopales) fresh segments tossed in our quinoa or salad for lunch and as a marinade for beef or chicken on the grill for dinner. I buy them weekly in 10-15 pound bags, so we… Read More

Alfajores

Alfajores I surprised my daughter and her two cousins yesterday with a Valentine themed tea party. It was all part of my 14 days of Love. A lilac table cloth draped my kitchen table, small vases of roses, heart shaped balloons, pretty tea cups and saucers and my vintage tea pots warm from Strawberry and Apple infused tea. I scattered a few candies, a box of chocolates from my sister and a cake stand held these delicate red Alfajores. A traditional Latin shortbread cookies brimming with dulce de leche are rolled in coconut or nuts and dusted with… Read More

Spicy Strawberry Margarita – Margarita de Fresa Picante

Spicy Strawberry Margarita – Margarita de Fresa Picante I’m spicing it up this Valentine’s Day with a margarita that is sure to have your loved ones feeling the heat. Using one of my favorite chiles, dried chile piquins are grinded with sugar to make a sinfully spicy paste that really kicks up the classic simple syrup. Combine this chile infused simple syrup with strawberry juice, tequila and lime juice to create this Spicy Margarita. Fiery flavor plus a burst of cooling fresh fruit juice – Happy Valentine’s Day! Margarita de Fresa Picante… Read More

Chocolate Cereal Marshmallow Bars – Barras de Cereal y Malvaviscos con Chocolate

Chocolate Cereal Marshmallow Bars Mi carino has a few late night indulgences that first surprised me being newlyweds. In the middle of the night I would wake to hear noises coming from the kitchen. There I would find him snacking on a pile of marshmallows or eating a bowl of cereal. It was always at 2am, twice a month he was struck with these intense cravings. Fifteen years later these two items have become a staple in my pantry, they have become a permanent entry on my grocery list and twice I month I still find myself waking up… Read More

Chocoflan

Half chocolate cake – Half Flan this dessert is a show stopper. A rich chocolaty cake sits beneath a layer of silky sweet flan all topped with warm cajeta. I made this chocoflan for our weekly movie night and to say it was a big ht is putting it mildly. My dad had seconds, while my mom made sure to set aside a piece to take home. Check out this amazing recipe over at the Imperial Sugar website where you can print, email or save this recipe. Mitad pastel de chocolate – Mitad flan este postre es espectáculo. Un rico… Read More

Beer Braised Brisket – Brisket Estofada en Cerveza

Beer Braised Brisket – Brisket Estofada en Cerveza Football in Texas – screams, requires, must have, and goes hand in hand WITH Brisket. You just have to serve brisket, even though our team was a bust this year – a major bust. I mean hey we got the number one draft pick, that says it all. But it would be unsportsmanlike to not watch the Super Bowl, so we are and we’re serving Brisket. Beer Braised Brisket – fork tender, brisket braised in beer. This brisket requires no babysitting, a few steps, place it in the oven and move… Read More