Marshmallows – Malvaviscos When I was engaged I began collecting fun Christmas activities in a small black binder for my future family.  The first recipe I clipped out was this one for Marshmallows featured in the February 1996 issue of Martha Stewart Living. My first daughter was 3 when I first made these marshmallows. She’s 13 now, my second daughter 8, so you can say these little pillows of love have become a family tradition.  The first year I made them the whipping process burned out my hand mixer. I thought I ruined the batch, but they came out amazing…. Read More

Jalapeño Jelly – Jalea de Jalapeño Every Christmas the Principal of the school where my mami worked as a teacher’s aide gifted his co-workers jalapeno jelly that his wife made. Mami looked forward to the little jar of jelly every year as she enjoyed it over crackers. One year she attempted the recipe, but with little ones running amuck in her kitchen she did not get too far into the process. After that she settled with purchasing a few jars from road stand fruit vendors. This year I thought I’d surprise her and a few of my neighbors with small… Read More

  Pan de polvo crumbly, cinnamon-anise infused cookies that are rolled in sugar melt in your mouth. These tiny cookies are made in large, large batches and are always the first to go, they are that good.   Pan de Polvo The Posadas are here! Bring on the pan de polovo! Las Posadas (the inns) begins on December 16 and ends on Christmas Eve with the Cena of La Noche Buena. This nine day celebration reenacts Mary and Joseph’s search for shelter in Bethlehem. The candle-lit processions of los peregrinos (pilgrims) dressed as Mary and Joseph travel from home to… Read More

Rib-Eye Steak Marinated in Cranberry and Citrus – Rib-Eye Marinado en Arándanos y Cítricos My fridge is bursting at the seams with cranberries. I think I went a little overboard on my Thanksgiving shopping and am currently adding them to my daily meals, so be on the lookout for a few more cranberry recipe sin the future. This weekend I was happy to receive a package of Nolan Ryan all natural beef in the mail. When I was a newlywed and living in Driscoll, Texas I used to shop at a little grocery store in Bishop, Texas that carried Nolan… Read More

Eggnog Bread – Pan de Rompope My mami loves rompope – I mean she is addicted to it, so every year the day after Thanksgiving she begins whipping up batch after batch to enjoy the entire month of December. She enjoys a cup while she watches her favorite novela, while she sits outside watching the kids play or with a piece of pan dulce in the afternoon.  I decided to whip up an easy quick bread featuring her beloved rompope (eggnog) that she could enjoy with yup, a cup of rompope.          

Over the Summer I had numerous requests on how to make Capirotada, Mexican Bread Pudding.   I promised I would share, but somehow never got around to featuring the recipe.  When Imperial Sugar asked me to create this family favorite recipe for their website I was more than happy to finally have the chance to share with you also.  Head over to the Imperial Sugar website for the recipe (available in English and Spanish).  

Seven Layer Dip – Dip de Siete Capas My mom worked as a teacher’s aide at our local school and every Holiday season all the teachers, aides and staff would host what they called a “pig out.”  Everyone was asked to bring one of their favorite pot luck dish. They would all gather in the teacher’s lounge for lunch where they would chat, laugh, and nibble through every dish.  My mom was always asked to bring her famous charro beans or Mexican rice.   Every year she would come home with a new recipe she had tried at the potluck jalapeno… Read More

Turkey Posole Casserole with Cornmeal Biscuit Topping –  Cazuela de Pozole de Pavo con Bísquets (recipe available in English and Spanish)   The last of the turkey went into this casserole for Sunday dinner with the family.  A cross between pozole, pot pie and tamale pie this casserole was love at first bite.  I’m a sucker for any recipe that includes hominy, poblanos or tomatillos so when I spotted the recipe in the November issue of Cooking Light I knew it was a great way to use up my Thanksgiving leftovers and a one pan meal is always welcomed after… Read More