Planning the Drink Menu

We are having lots of fun over here experimenting with potential drinks for the #Dlpchairez wedding. Being that it's Mexa themed, we know that the drink will definitely involve tequila and are all about throwing some Tajin in the mix, and of course needs to be ultra-tasty.  For this drink we just mixed fresh squeezed  limonada with Tajin, which is perfect for all ages and can quickly be made into a cocktail for adults with a splash (or two) of tequila.  These will be nice to have as the guests arrive before the backyard ceremony.  Refreshing and delicious!

Is it a sign?  I think so.  Love is in the air...  And my drink!

What else is on the drink menu?  We are super big fans of micheladas, margaritas and aguas frescas.   We'll offer savory variations of each since we are not sweet drinks kinda people.  As for name ideas? Well, let's just say a Michelada can easily be changed into a Miguelada.

Cucumber Cilantro Lemonade

Slushy Margarita

On the rocks

Clamato Michelada 

Tequila with a variety of seasonings for the rim 

Fresh limonada

Lola's Cocina: Blood Orange Agua Frecsa

It's time to mix things up in the kitchen and put a twist on the typical morning orange juice. This combination of oranges and lemons is sweet and tangy - perfect for a spicy breakfast of Green Chilaquiles!  Fun tip: Make extra to freeze in popsicle trays for a delicious afternoon treat!

Ingredients:

7 blood oranges freshly squeezed
7 Valencia oranges (the best for juicing) freshly squeezed
1 lemon (I prefer Eureka lemons – the ones with thick skin) freshly squeezed
4 cups water
3/4 cup sugar (or to taste)

Preparation:

1. Combine all three juices, water, and sugar. Stir very well.
2. Chill and serve over plenty of ice.

Images and Recipe: Lola's Cocina

Pati Aguilera's Delicious Illustrations

Chilean illustrator Pati Aguilera combines delicious recipes for food and drinks with adorable artwork and whimsical typography. Her blog, Cositas Ricas Ilustradas, is filled with recipes that are playfully illustrated and functional–each one features different characters enjoying a dish and the ingredients and instructions to make it.

So if you're looking for some lovely artwork to add to your kitchen, a new recipe for dinner, or a chance to practice your Spanish (no English instructions here!) check out Aguilera's blog (you'll find a lot of Chilean recipes too)!

Quesadillas, It's What's for Lunch!

Mondays are my "day off" which just means working on my laptop from home.  Which also means that I tend to eat more than I typically do when I am at the shop.  And today is proving to be one of those days.  What's a girl to do but bust out the leftovers from this weekend and make herself (and her señor) some lunch.  What we came up with was really quite wonderful.  I mean like crazy-yummy-good. Quesadillas filled with kale, sweet potatoes, zucchini, mushrooms and good ol' carne asada.  Here are my easy-peasy tips and musts to make this quesadilla a success.  First, you MUST heat up the tortilla on an open flame. Secondly, I purchased my kale and sweet potato salad at Ralph's - I like to keep it on hand and toss it into pretty much everything we eat (it's healthy and yummy).  Lastly, try to use Oaxacan cheese - it's similar to a jack cheese and stringy, like string cheese!  Add guacamole and salsa and you are good to go.  Provecho!

Let's Talk Tacos

There are so many ways to arrange this oh-so-tasty classic, and arranging a taco bar for guests to create their dream taco makes for a perfect dinner party idea. A serve-yourself table full of various fillings and condiments allows your guests to personalize their meal and makes it easy to cater to vegetarians and meat-lovers alike. By starting out with the basics and adding your own touches, the possibilities are endless! Here are some photos from one of our recent taco dinners to help inspire your taco creations:

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: