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- 20 ounces Cacique beef chorizo ( 2 tubes)
- 12 ounces Cacique Ranchero queso fresco, crumbled
- 15-20 small empanadas rounds (like Goya, found in freezer section)
- 1/2 cup cilantro, chopped
- Cacique Crema Mexicana
- pickled jalapeños
- green tomatillo salsa
- Preheat oven to 400 degrees.
- Thaw the empanada (turnover) dough and bring to room temperature.
- Cook the beef chorizo for 10 minutes and slightly cool.
- Take one dough disc and spread about 1-2 Tbsp of the cooked beef chorizo over the dough. Place dough on flat surface on counter and sprinkle with 2 Tbsp of crumbled queso fresco (cheese).
- Roll the dough like a fruit roll-up then cut across the roll, slices about a 1/2 inch thick, making a pinwheel.
- Place the slices on a lined baking sheet. Repeat process with the rest of the empanada dough discs.
- The pinwheels need to be 1 inch apart from each other.
- Cook in oven for 10 minutes. Remove from oven and serve warm.
- Sprinkle with chopped cilantro.
- Drizzle with Mexican Crema or serve on the side with some green tomatillo sauce.
- 3 1/4 cups cake flour
- 3 cups Nutiva coconut sugar
- 2 teaspoons baking soda
- 1 1/2 teaspoons salt
- 2 teaspoons pumpkin pie spice
- 2 cups solid pack pumpkin puree
- 2/3 cup water
- 1 cup Nutiva coconut oil
- 4 eggs
- 1 cup chocolate chips
- Preheat oven to 350 degrees F
- Grease and flour three 8 x 4.5 inch pans.
- Measure flour, coconut sugar, baking soda, salt, and spice into a large bowl. Stir to blend.
- Add pumpkin, water, coconut oil, eggs, and chocolate chips. Beat until well combined.
- Pour batter into prepared pans.
- Bake for approximately 1 hour. (Check bread at the 50 min mark to double check)
Cacique Choriqueso Bites #GoAutentico
October 16th, 2014This is a sponsored post campaign in collaboration with Latina Bloggers Connect and Cacique. All recipes, thoughts and opinions are my own.
It has been almost ten years since I last visited Mexico and I am yearning to take my little family to visit all my extended family. Traveling with my little ones is tough as it is to Texas or simply out of state that we figured we would wait a few years before we travel that far. In the meantime, my family members keep contact with us through social media channels and occasional phone calls. One of the things I long for my husband and girls to grasp are the colors, music, traditions, and authentic food that my country offers. One of those traditions is coming soon at the end of this month called Dia de Los Muertos, or Day of the Dead, the Mexican holiday that falls during Halloween.
One of the foods I have been trying to use a lot more is beef chorizo and Mexican cheese. Instead of making empanadas, I decided to make little appetizers, perfect for any party, and really, a dish that would be unique to possibly any other option at any party. While chorizo is traditionally pork, Cacique makes a beef chorizo that definitely enticed me and made my dish easy to prepare.
My appetizer was definitely a spin on pinwheels made with white flour tortillas and cream cheese, but mine were made with empanada dough and Cacique Ranchero queso fresco. While I was not quite sure that the queso fresco would melt, I was delighted that it did bring the chorizo and cheese combination together when folded into the empanada dough.
While I like to try my hand at traditional dishes, like mole’ or tamales, which are typical foods made during Dia de los Muertos, I like to always create something new and different. While I would like to make something traditional, my time is always limited in the kitchen with two little ones running around, vying for my attention.
These bites are quick and easy and even more delicious when dipped in Cacique’s Crema Mexicana or table cream and tomatillo salsa. I munched on a few with some pickled jalapeños and carrots and boy, did they deliver!
Ingredients
Instructions
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Nutiva Pumpkin Chocolate Chip Bread #Kidsinthekitchen
October 13th, 2014
Last week I shared with many that I would possibly make pumpkin cinnamon rolls but those things changed when I decided to bring my kids into the kitchen almost 2 hours before bedtime. During the day, we keep a pretty busy schedule either running errands or keeping busy with kids activities. Baking and cooking is not usually one activity that happens although I have been thinking of making it an event once or twice a week.
We finished dinner one evening and my oldest daughter looks over at me and asks me if she can have some cake. Well, one would think we were always having some sort of birthday party because my daughter is always asking for cake. Even more now, since her birthday is in 3 weeks! She has asked for a double chocolate cake. Chocolate cake with chocolate frosting. Yes. This is coming from an almost 3 year-old girl. Well, I guess if you had to start early she is starting at a good pace.
When I came back with an answer for my daughter I told her we did not have cake to eat for dessert but we could make a pumpkin bread for our play date the next morning. She insisted it be chocolate bread but then I compromised and said it would be a pumpkin bread with chocolate chips. That seemed to be intriguing enough for her so we headed into the kitchen.
Many might think me pretty crazy taking two kids under the age of 3 to help me bake, but I figure that if I need to bake, cook and the girls like food and like to watch, why not invite them into the kitchen? I placed my daughter on the counter and my 21-month old watched from a stool where she could peek and help.
The great thing about this pumpkin recipe is that there is minimal mess. It is contained between two bowls and placed in three loaf pans. When I was looking for a pumpkin bread recipe I realized I had not made one with coconut oil. The common concern or complaint in my home is that the baked breads always come out too dry so I made it a point to make sure this pumpkin bread recipe would come out nice and moist.
Several weeks back I received some Nutiva products in the mail, since I was not able to attend the Natural Expo East in Maryland, and I was real excited to put some to the test. I used the coconut oil they sent and I bought some coconut sugar to go with the coconut theme. I know I had been making some sugar free recipes, but I wanted to see how this bread would come out with Nutiva products especially since I have been wanting to test their product quality.
The coconut oil had no coconut odor but was nice and creamy while the coconut sugar smelled like caramel. I know that coconut sugar is lower on the glycemic chart, so the body would not cause a blood sugar spike, and I also knew that coconut sugar has a lot of nutrients like potassium and B vitamins, so I was happy to use this for my family. This bread is moist because of the combination use of cake flour, pumpkin and the coconut oil. My husband raved about the bread and claimed it one of the best breads I have made. Excellent!
Back to the kitchen then. My girls loved making the bread together. My 21-month old cracked eggs into a bowl, with some help and then I realized this was the youngest I had ever had kids in my kitchen. Even my oldest was never in the kitchen this early in life. I was happy that my girls were happy to help. They stirred and watched and even though they wanted to eat the batter I told them they would have to wait until the next morning to try it. No complaints. It truly was the best way to end the evening because we read a story, brushed teeth and I tucked them into bed for the night. It was actually fun to be in the kitchen later in the evening with my girls and I now knew that I could plan something differently with them during the week. LOVE!
What is your favorite way to spend the evening with your family?
Ingredients
Instructions
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Bundle of Savings for College Students #AmazonWishList
October 9th, 2014
It has been a while since I was a college student but what I do remember is that keeping organized and clean was the biggest thing in my life. As I chatted with both of my sisters-in-law who live on college campuses, it was nice to know what challenges they faced while living with roommates. Doing laundry is probably the last thing a college student wants to think about. As I talked to my family I found out a few necessities they might need or even a few items they would enjoy as they did laundry.
One of the easiest ways to order items for folks or even for our family is ordering from Amazon.com. It is so simple to find the item needed or desired, putting it cart and either saving it for later or even just leaving it in the cart. As I brainstormed for items that youngest sister-in-law might need detergent and fabric softener would be the more obvious needs. One of the options that Amazon has the Laundry Care Bundle Pack that includes Tide Pods, Downy Unstoppables, & Bounce sheets in order get fresh, clean clothes. Even better is the subscribe and save option which would allow me or even my mother-in-law to schedule deliveries without the student to run out!
One of the things we like to do as a family is letting each other know what we need or what we would like, thus making Amazon Wish Lists super ideal. Seeing that my youngest sister-in-law is living on campus for the first time this semester, I asked her a few questions about her basic needs and even what she would love to receive. Good thing I can keep the list private so I know what I can send and what others would not see.
In addition to the wish lists are the other available features:
- NEW Save-A-Photo:With the new Save-A-Photo feature, customers can snap a picture of anything from anywhere and save it to their Amazon WishList.
- UniversalWish List Add-on: The Amazon WishList is truly universal. Customers can add anything from any online site to their Amazon Wish List with a simple add-on available for any browser.
- Don’t SpoilMy Surprises: This feature does not reveal to the Wish List creator which items have been purchased, so every gift is truly a surprise. However, once an item is purchased from anAmazon Wish List, other shoppers will see only what remains on the Wish List –avoiding duplicate gifts.
- Virtual Notes: Customers can save and idea and search for it later by adding a virtual note to an AmazonWish List and jot down anything, giving friends and family a little gifting inspiration.
My newest favorite feature is the #AmazonWishList that allows me to play items from Amazon links found on Twitter. Now I can shop, add items to my wish lists or even add items to my cart so I can just check out when I am ready. How awesome is that? See something for Christmas or a birthday? Here is what it would look like:
So I used the hashtag #AmazonWishList when I replied to the item I found and I received a notification indicating the item is in my cart in Amazon:
How about joining in the first ever #AmazonWishList Social Shopping Party?
Make sure to join me and others on Wednesday, October 15th from 11-12pm EST. Amazon will be offering special promotions during the hour on the featured products purchased using the #AmazonWishList feature. This includes $1 off all featured products that are purchased during the party using #AmazonWishList and #AmazonHasIt.
The biggest excitement are the prizes! How about winning 1 of the 10 Kindles that Amazon is giving away as prizes during the part? Mark it on your calendar and save the hashtags on your Twitter list NOW!
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Hearty and Healthy Turkey Black Bean Chili
October 8th, 2014
Meal planning has been a true success the last week and a half. I have to say that it is easier to switch around meals I had planned for other days for days that seemed better for them. My stress level was lowered since we had all the food available after having shopped for essentials for half the month last week. Even though I enjoy cooking, the process of planning and preparing has been a little challenging for me.
The importance about being a mother is admitting that we have tight schedules, but in that limited time we also are required to finish certain necessary tasks, like making meals for our families. This is definitely something we have decided is important to us. We want to have family time and a home-cooked meal without breaking our budget.
Thankfully, as we talk about keeping our budget in tact, it also means that not every meal is going to be over the top. Ha! It is something I have stresses about since it is my own standard. In my head, I demand myself to make something new, unique and creative. I have started removing that unnecessary stress and replaced it with ideas for meals that would work for our family and if I had a chance to revamp, then I would.
Now I know we have been on a meal plan idea for over a week but it makes sense. We have leftovers so we can eat the next day or food that I can send with my husband for his lunch. It is truly a time saver. My husband has been great at encouraging me to be consistent with a schedule especially since I am being pulled in many directions. Not only am I am stay-at-home working mother, but I am blogger, keeper of my home, and activities planner. Thank you moms out there for keeping strong. Sometimes, or most of the time, our jobs can be very wearing or tiring, but lets be encouraging!
Share with me how you maintain a consistent schedule. Would you mind sharing yours?
When I created this chili recipe I really did not think it could get any easier. I am always rethinking and doubting myself with flavors but sure enough, simple meals, like a chili recipe, can be super easy to put together. This past Saturday, I passed a new booth selling spices and I started speaking with the owner. She introduced me to her line of spices called Mistress of Spice . The name alone was intriguing! I smelled a variety of the spices she had available and I was convinced to buy a few.
While I have given you a substitute of spices to add to this recipe, I would totally have you check out her website for awesome spices. The Latina Sabrosa spice has a combination of spices including annatto, which is considered part of a fruit having a peppery flavor with a hint of nutmeg. I think the spice added a hint of sweetness to the chili but no heat at all.
If I had a chance to record my kids I would. I heard them saying yummy and nom nom as they took bites this chili. I’d say it was a success with little time in the kitchen. The only thing I had to do was make corn muffins which the girls both helped me make. How about adding this to your meal plan? Happy Fall!
Ingredients
- 1 pound lean turkey, ground
- 28-ounces diced tomatoes, chili style
- 1 1/2 cups water
- 1 chicken bouillon cube
- 2 garlic cloves, minced
- 3 cups black beans
- 2/3 cup refried beans
- 1 cup corn kernels, frozen
- 3 Tbsp Mistress of Spice Latina Sabrosa spice (Substitution below)
- 1 1/2 teaspoons kosher salt
- Spice substitution (1 1/2 Tablespoons Ancho chile powder, 2 teaspoons paprika, 2 teaspoon garlic and onion powder)
- Sour Cream
- Cheddar Cheese
- Diced red onion
Instructions
- In a nonstick pan on medium heat, place the ground turkey and cook. Add salt and pepper to taste and cook for 10 minutes.
- Add the meat to a 6-quart slow cooker. Add the rest of the ingredients and place on High for 4 hours.
- You can eat as is with toppings or you can add tortilla chips or make corn muffins.
Notes
Kid-Friendly!
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Pampers #BebeConRitmo Mashup Video
October 7th, 2014Disclaimer: This is part of a sponsored collaboration with Latina Mom Bloggers and Pampers. All opinions are 100% mine.
There is a never a dull moment in our home with two very active toddlers especially on weekends when we have plenty of time to relax. Every morning when we open the door to the girls rooms we realize that it is another day to cherish their happy morning personalities and thankfully, they are mostly always happy and loud!
We love the fact that we do not have to worry that we will find our youngest daughter in a mess or with some sort of accident because she is secure in her Pampers Swaddlers. No matter how many times we have switched out to a different brand because of time and availability, we always turn to the brand we have learned to trust: Pampers. No matter how much my daughter moves, shakes, or pounces on me or her sister, those little diapers stay on her securely and well-fastened.
A month ago I challenged folks to post their fun videos of their kids for the #BebeConRitmo or #BabyGotMoves campaign with Pampers. Did you do it? One of the fun moments I captured with my girls were their movements. They love playing with a keyboard in one of our rooms and choosing funky songs to groove. They play with the keys and then just dance with each other most of the time. It is pretty cute if I may say so.
Pampers is celebrating those fun morning moments when baby wakes up happy, energetic and ready to “bailar” or dance in his or her crib after a good night’s sleep. When baby wakes up dry and ready to dance, mom can’t help but join in the fun! Our kids ask for music first thing in the morning without fail because this is how we roll. We are a musical family and we like to move so how about joining us and others by watching the cute mash-up video that Pampers aired on October 3rd?
Please join @Pampers, @PampersLatino and Latina Mom Bloggers for a #BebeConRitmo Twitter Party on October 7th win prizes, you must RSVP at Latina Mom Bloggers http://bit.ly/1tedRhu from 9-10pm ET. There will be lots of fun prizes! from 9-10pm ET. There will be lots of fun prizes! To be eligible to win prizes, you must RSVP at Latina Mom Bloggers http://bit.ly/1tedRhu
