Delicious Mexican-Style Thanksgiving Recipes

Thanksgiving is a few days away, and we've rounded up links to delicious Mexican-style recipes to celebrate the occasion. And with recipes like Camotes al Chipotle, Calabacitas Rellenas, and Pumpkin Empanadas, you'll want to try your hand at these tasty meals, even if you don't celebrate:

1. Mexican inspired recipes from "Better With Butter":

2. Mexican-Style Thanksgiving Fiesta by "Muy Bueno Cookbook":

3. Mexican Thanksgiving Recipes from "The Other Side of the Tortilla":

4. A Mexican-Inspired Thanksgiving by "Saveur":

5. NBC Latino's 3 Sinfully Sweet Alternatives to Pumpkin Pie:

DIY: Embroidered Alebrije Napkins

Alebrijes are some of the most varied and fantastical pieces of folk art in Mexico. They come in so many shapes, colors, and designs that it's impossible not to be inspired by them.

Since tabletop seems to be a common theme this week on the blog, we created alebrije inspired cocktail napkins that can be used over again and hand washed. You don't need to know much about embroidery to create a similar napkin, just a bit of patience and alebrije inspiration:

What you'll need:

-a needle
-embroidery thread
-a pencil (or pen if you want to live dangerously)
-fabric (we used muslin)
-a ruler
-embroidery hoop (optional-ours are hidden somewhere so we didn't use one)
-patience

What to do:
1. Figure out how big you want your napkin(s) to be (ours is 7"x7"), measure, and cut.
OR cut a piece of fabric that will fit over an embroidery hoop and begin drawing your design.

2. Draw your design lightly on your fabric (practice on paper first!) with a pencil, or pen.
3. Thread your needle with embroidery thread and knot the end of the piece you are using. Begin embroidering your design (you can start with the design first or the edges).

4. Use a blanket stitch (tutorial here) for the edges of the napkin. This will help hide frayed edges and gives the napkin a nice finished look. It also may help to put some liquid seam sealant before hand, which can be bought at a craft store like Michaels.

Britt's Picks: Mexican Tabletop Inspiration

We're finally transitioning from the hustle and bustle of Dia De Los Muertos celebrations here at Casa Artelexia (save for our upcoming David Lozeau art show) and we're now back to our "normal programming" on the blog. Since we still have a few more holidays left this year, we'll be sprinkling the Casa Artelexia blog with related Mexican inspiration. Stay tuned!

Because thanksgiving is drawing nearer, I figured many of you (including myself) would be looking for some Thanksgiving table setting inspiration. So I've rounded up some Mexican themed tabletop for this week's Britt's Picks that you all can take inspiration from (I know I totally will!):

Images found here: 1 and 2, 3 and 4, 5 , 6 and 7, 8

Setting the Table: Thanksgiving Grey & Orange

{Photo: Print, Table, Pumpkins, Pie}

Getting ready for Thanksgiving

Hello there!  We are just a few days away from Thanksgiving and I can't wait!  This year is a little different for me.  My husband and I will be spending the holidays in Brooklyn, with his family.  Typically, when I'm in San Diego, I do most of the cooking along with my mother and sister.  "Ova here" it's a different story.  Mama G, my mother in-law, does most of the cooking and I know better than to cross an Italian woman in her kitchen.  My duties will consist of decorating the table and making a few desserts.  Baking is NOT my strong suit.  Cooking, no problem.  Baking, not so much.  But I can do this.  I'm thinking of a pumpkin cheesecake and these adorable pumpkin cupcakes.  Do you have any fail-safe dessert recipes?  I'd love to hear!