AGUA FRESCA DE SANDIA(MEXICAN FRESH WATERMELON DRINK)

 Aguas Frescas are traditional beverages made from a variety of fruits, flowers or grains, popular throughout the Hispanic culture. They are mostly made and sold by street vendors and Mexican restaurants. Or like in our case, our home. Both my husband and I being from Mexican families we grew up loving aguas frescas and the culture they represent. So these drinks are a must in our home! Especially during summertime!

 How To Make Your Own

Ingredients (makes half a gallon):

• half a watermelon
• knife
• 3 cups of cold water
• sugar
• ice cubes
• blender
• 1 lime
• large spoon
• strainer(optional)

Making fresh watermelon drink is about the easiest agua fresca to make. First you slice your watermelon in half. Then using a large spoon you begin to scoop the center of the watermelon like seen in the photo above.Taste the watermelon to see how sweet it is that way you get an idea how much sugar you will be adding, some are way sweeter than others. Drop your watermelon scoops in the blender along with cold water and ice, squeeze in lemon as well (you may need to do this in batches). Blend until everything is completely broken down. Check sweetness and add sugar to taste, blend again to mix it all together. 

I didn't strain my agua but a lot of people do. So if you'd like to, this is the part where you pull out the strainer. Place it on top of your pitcher and pour your blended watermelon water through the strainer. Or like me save the watermelon rind and use it as a punch bowl. 

 There is nothing better than a refreshing glass of agua de sandia on a hot summer day. Or even better after a long work day with a hint of tequila and margarita mix. Happy National Tequila day!! Yall enjoy

XO,Nancy!!

10 DAYS OF VALENTINES-DAY 9: VALENTINES DAY KABOBS

Still looking for some last minute gift ideas for the kiddos, coworkers, or friends? How about these super sweet Valentines Day Kabobs!?!  I literally put these together last minute. Procrastinator, yupp that's me! 

 This is what you'll need; 1 box brownie mix, bag of marshmallows, wooden skewers, strawberries and Bakers melting chocolate.

 Let me fill you in on the Kabob details. All I did was bake a box of Duncan Hines chewy fudge brownies, cut it into pieces and let it cool. While my brownies were baking I melted 4 squares of Bakers white chocolate dipped my strawberries in there and let them cool as well. I soaked my skewers in water for about 5 minutes until all my other ingredients were ready to use. Once everything was nice and cool I pulled out the marshmallows and began to stick everything together. I used the remaining white chocolate as a decorative drizzle for my finished kabobs. 

Next I wrapped my kabobs in these darling treat bags I picked up from Dollar tree. With decorative scissors I cut up small pieces of white card stock paper, added stickers and turned them into name tags(stickers were purchased at dollar tree as well). That's pretty much it my friends! I have to point out that not only is this extremely easy to make, it is also very inexpensive. 

I cant wait to see the look on my daughters face when she sees the fabulous treats I made her. Though I am not looking forward on tomorrows sugar rush! 

What did you get your kids for Valentines day? Did you go with store bought or homemade?

XO, Nancy!

10 DAYS OF VALENTINES- DAY 8: STRAWBERRY KIWI LOVE MARGARITA

Its Margarita Time amigos! We are two days away from Valentines day and If you are yet to find the perfect cocktail for you and your honey, this is the the one for you. Made with a hot kick of Tequila, fresh fruit and a delicious whipped topping. This Love Margarita is sure to add excitement to your special night!

Ingredients: (Makes about one Margarita)                                                  

   

• 5 fresh strawberries                                                               
• 1 fresh peeled kiwi
• 4 fl oz of Rose's Mojito Mix
• 1 shot of Corralejo Tequila (optional)
• crushed ice
• whipped topping in a pastry bag
• Blender                                                                                    

 Recipe

    Combine your strawberries, kiwi, Mojito mix, tequila and crushed ice into your blender. Start your blender and strike pulse a couple of times until all of your ingredients are completely crushed and mixed. Serve your blended mix into a glass and top with whipped cream using a pastry bag or a ziploc with a small snip in a corner.                                                                                       

Todo Listo mi bella gente(all done my beautiful people)!!! Make one two, three or four after all its Valentines day, raise your glass to love and enjoy. 

XO, Nancy!

10 DAYS OF VALENTINES- DAY 4: BERRY SEXY MARTINI

Hey friends! Happy Saturday everyone!! Nothing says SEXY like a good martini with your sweetheart. Today I'm sharing one of my many favorite martinis to spice up that romantic dinner of yours! I call it my Berry Sexy Martini! This delicious cocktail is sure to get the mood going and the love pumping. Valentines Day is around the corner and its time to start planning. So, with that said, lets shake one up. 

 Ingredients (makes one martini):

• 3 fl oz of Rose's Mojito Mix
• 2 fl oz of Selttzer  Lemon lime
• 1 fl oz of Red Berry Ciroc Vodka(optional)
• crushed fresh blueberries
• crushed strawberries
• Strawberry for garnish

Lets get shaking!!

Pour a small amount of sugar into a plate. Coat the rim of a martini glass with a lemon or lime then dip it into the sugar. Set aside.

Crush your blueberries and strawberries until creating a somewhat paste. Throw in a pinch of your crushed berries into the bottom of your glass.

In a cocktail shaker filled with ice pour in your Mojito mix, Seltzer, and Red Berry vodka. Cover it up and shake,shake,shake!! Lets strain this baby into our glass. Cut up a fresh strawberry and use as garnish on your Berry Sexy Martini. Sip this bad boy and enjoy!

What do you think? Isn't this a wonderful mood setter? Time to dim the lights and turn the heat up!!
Have a great Saturday people!! XOXO

Cooking Mexican Taquitos "Flautas": Using Rotisserie Chicken

Mexican Taquitos which we know as "Flautas," is a family favorite in our home. Whether its served as a Dinner Entree, party serving or a snack for Sunday night football, we love it. Flautas is a Traditional dish from Mexico made with corn tortillas and filled with all kinds of fillings,the most typical is a chicken filling. The name Flauta came to be because of the resemblance of the taquito to a flute. In the Mexican culture traditional recipes are passed down through generations some easier to make than others. In my home we love eating good food but sometimes good food can take hours of preparation. I have modified the Flauta recipe so my family can enjoy these crispy taquitos at a short moments notice. Now you can enjoy a Traditional Mexican dish any day of the week without having to prep. for hours!

We will be using a store bought Rotisserie chicken as the filling in our Flautas. Guerrero corn tortillas for our taquitos, and toothpicks to hold the taquito in place. You will also need either corn or vegetable oil to fry them in.

Step One: You will shred the chicken using only the meat and tossing out the skin. Place the shredded chicken in a bowl and season it with onion powder and pepper, I used Fajita Seasoning by Fiesta. StepTwo: Heat corn tortillas in a griddle pan. Flip sides until fully heated for best results. Step Three: Once the tortilla is fully heated place it in a flat surface. Add a thin strip of chicken to the very edge of the tortilla rolling it into a taquito as you see in picture 3. Step Four: When you get your taquito tightly rolled, puncture the closing end of the taquito with a toothpick to hold it in place while it fries.

Step 5: In a small pan pour enough oil to cover most of the taquito, heat oil for a few minutes. Once oil is hot carefully submerge the taquitos into the oil. Please be careful handling the taquitos while they're in the hot oil. Using tongs flip taquitos for an even fry. Step 6: Your taquitos are now nice and crispy, place them in a container or plate to cool off.

Listo!!! Now you have a delicioso traditional Mexican dish ready to eat. Flautas are usually served with a topping of sour cream, fresh crumbled Mexican cheese, shredded lettuce, and guacamole or avocado slices. If you want a bit of a kick you can also add your favorite hot sauce "salsa" to go on top. "Probecho," Enjoy!!