Arroz con Crema y Elote (White Rice with Cream and Corn)

Flavorful white rice flavored with onion, garlic, golden corn kernels, and Mexican crema.

With Cuaresma (Lent) starting next week, I thought now would be a good time to share how to make Arroz con Crema y Elote. It is a popular side dish served at Mexican restaurants that specialize in seafood dishes. When my older kiddies were little and going through their picky eater stage, whenever we went to eat at our favorite mariscos restaurant the only thing on the menu that they'd eat was this rice. Now that Hope and Nick are 19 and 17, they still love this rice, but now it's not the only thing on the menu that they order.

Lime in the Coconut Margarita for #NationalMargaritaDay

Raise your glass to celebrate National Margarita Day with this tropical Coconut Lime Margarita.

I know I'm not the first blogger to point out that some foods and beverages bring certain tunes to mind. Like anytime I make something piña colada flavored, "The Escape Song" pops into my head... "Do you like piña coladas? And getting caught in the rain?" Or when I add red wine to anything, UB40's "Red, Red Wine" immediately comes to mind. Same thing happens every time I whip up these Margaritas de Coco (coconut margaritas). I add the tequila, orange liqueur, and shredded coconut to the blender, then when it comes time to squeeze in the fresh lime juice I can't help but sing, "You put the lime in the coconut, and drink 'em both up..."

Morisqueta de Costillitas en Salsa Ranchera

Morisqueta is a traditional Mexican dish--popular in the state of Michoacán--that consists of a mixture of beans and rice topped with tender pieces of meat in a spicy salsa.

Morisqueta is one of those dishes that when I make it, I ask myself why I don't make it more often. My grandpa loved to serve his morisqueta with Pork Chile Colorado, while I prefer to serve it with Costillitas en Salsa Ranchera (pork spare ribs). But really any pork or beef dish can be used. Some of my favorites include Shredded Beef Picadillo, Bistec Ranchero, Pork Chile Verde, and Carne de Puerco con Chile. Morisqueta can also be enjoyed meatless. Just spoon your favorite salsa, mild or spicy, over the beans and rice.

Salsa Ranchera (Roasted Tomato Salsa)

Spicy roasted tomato and chile serrano salsa perfect for serving with tortilla chips (or pork rinds) or with your favorite tacos.

Salsa Ranchera is one of those salsas you always want to have in your fridge because you can serve it with tortilla chips or pork rinds for a quick appetizer, stir it into soups or guisados, drizzle it over tacos, or even spoon it over eggs for Huevos Rancheros. This ranch-style salsa made with roasted tomatoes, onion, garlic, and serrano chiles, will become an instant family favorite.

Salsa Ranchera
(Roasted Tomato Salsa)


Ingredients: 

• 7 roma tomatoes, cut in quarters
• 3 serrano chiles, stems removed 
• 2 cloves garlic, with skin still on   
• 1/2 medium white onion, cut in large chunks 
• 1/4 cup fresh cilantro leaves

Directions: 

Heat a comal or non-stick skillet over medium-high heat. Roast the tomatoes, serrano chiles, garlic, and onions over medium-high heat, turning occasionally, until the ingredients have softened and are lightly charred. Remove from heat and carefully peel skin from garlic.

Puree the tomatoes, serrano chiles, garlic, and onion with the fresh cilantro until smooth. Pour salsa into a medium bowl; season with salt to taste. Enjoy!   

Tip: Change up the flavor of your salsa by using different varieties of chile peppers. Some of my favorite chiles to use are jalapeños, chiles güeros (yellow peppers), and banana peppers. 

Yields 1-1/2 to 2 cups 

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Comfort Food Classics: Banana Cream Pudding {She Made/Ella Hace}

Creamy banana pudding made with galletas Maria's and vanilla-flavored atole mix.

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When you think Valentine's Day, the first things that come to mind are chocolates and roses. I love all things chocolate and my hubby never fails to surprise me with a beautiful bouquet, but he also knows that the best way to win my heart is if the words "banana cream" are involved. Like say, banana cream pie or this easy, no-fuss Banana Cream Pudding. Today, my good friend Heather from All Roads Lead to the Kitchen are sharing Valentine's Day recipes for this month's She Made/Ella Hace. So be sure to visit Heather's blog for a swoon-worthy Love Potion Cocktail.

Slow Cooker Orange Chipotle Pulled Pork

Tender and juicy slow cooker pulled pork flavored with fresh orange juice, smoky chipotle peppers, garlic, and Mexican piloncillo.

Making pulled pork at home needn't be difficult at all with a little help from your slow cooker. Just mix everything together, put it in your crock pot and let it simmer for a few hours until the meat is so tender and juicy it practically melts in your mouth.

I love making pulled pork because it's a no-fuss recipe, it feeds a crowd, and the combination of flavors is finger-lickin' good! This particular pulled pork recipes is flavored with fresh orange juice, chipotle peppers, garlic, and piloncillo. Oh, and did I mention that it's super versatile too? Pulled pork can be served on it's own with sides like Chili Beans, Macaroni & Cheese, Mexican Rice, and Ensalada de Elote (Mexican street corn salad)--just to name a few--but it can also be served as a filling for tacos, tostadas, burritos, or sandwiches.

Orange Chipotle Pulled Pork 


Ingredients:
2 cups orange juice
2 chipotle peppers in adobo sauce
2 cloves garlic
1/3 cup grated piloncillo or light brown sugar
1 teaspoon salt
1 teaspoon ground cumin
1 teaspoon ground black pepper
1 medium white onion, thinly sliced
2-1/2 to 3 lb. pork shoulder roast


Directions:
Puree orange juice, chipotle peppers, and garlic in a blender until smooth. Pour puree into a medium bowl. Season orange chipotle mixture with brown sugar, salt, ground cumin, and black pepper.

Arrange the onion slices along the bottom of the slow cooker. Place pork shoulder roast on top of the onion slices. Pour orange chipotle sauce over meat. Cover and cook over low heat for 6 to 8 hours or until tender. When meat is fully cooked, shred using two forks. Serve as a filling for tacos, burritos, tostadas, or sandwiches/sliders. Enjoy!

Tip: For a sweeter pulled pork, substitute Tampico brand citrus punch or orange-flavored Fanta for the orange juice.

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