People’s affinity for flan is probably because of how easy it is to prepare. A custard of eggs, canned milk and sometimes sugar are thrown into a blender together, then baked in a water bath over an amber crust of caramelized sugar. The thrill of the dessert comes in the serving of it. A flourishing…
Día de los Reyes (Three Kings Day)
Arroz con Gandules (Rice with Pigeon Peas)
Arroz con gandules is a very popular Puerto Rican rice dish. Rendered pork fat and spices flavor the rice before the pigeon peas are added and the whole lot is steamed until fluffy and soft. You’ve probably seen, if not tasted, Arroz con Gandules if you’ve ever had the honor of being invited to a Puerto…
Pernil (Puerto Rican Roast Pork Shoulder)
Let me tell you about the time my husband almost stabbed a guest in our home over the skin you see in the photo above. It was traumatic. It was scary. Totally justifiable, but still scary. That right there sitting atop that mound of deliciousness is chicharrón. Pork rind. Crackling. Heaven. It is one of…
Nutella Cheesecake with Hazelnut Chocolates
Few things remind me more of my husband than Nutella. The chocolate hazelnut spread is his absolute favorite. So much so, that when he deployed, I shipped him containers of the stuff. He told me he’d spend evenings doing schoolwork and eating Nutella with a spoon straight from the jar. While the latter grossed me…
Coquito Cheesecake (Coconut Rum Cheesecake)
This Creamy Coquito Cheesecake is a spin-off of the popular Puerto Rican holiday drink. I didn’t get into the holiday spirit as much this year as in years past. Because my home wasn’t decorated to the nines like it usually is, I’m not going through that feeling of emptiness I often deal with once everything…
Festive Charcuterie Grazing Board
Festive is the buzz word this time of year. Well, my friends Kuhlman Cellars– just down the road in Stonewall, TX- and I wanted to share a great way to celebrate the holidays. A Festive Charcuterie Grazing Board is painfully cute, easy to make, and impressive enough for even the most critical guest. The wine…
Five Cheese Baked Macaroni and Cheese
Why serve a boring mac and cheese dish this holiday when a five cheese macaroni and cheese is just as easy to make? This version is not only make-ahead friendly, but freezer-friendly to make holiday meal prep a breeze.
Sweet Potato Cheesecake with Pecan Praline Topping
Unlike me, you’re probably already game-planning your holiday meals. We’re not going to do much this year since we’re in the Traphouse, so my meal plans aren’t as ambitious as they were in years past. I still have to keep up with my dessert plans, though. My family doesn’t give quarter to me in that…
Pumpkin Cream Cheese French Toast Casserole
I’ve held off for as long as I could. Pumpkin-everything is coming, and it’s coming in hot; so go ahead and yield to it. I, personally, have been on a slow cooker kick lately. Since the use of my stove or oven heats this apartment up to ungodly temperatures, I’m forgoing their use as much…
Ultimate Bacon-Jalapeño Mac and Cheese
My Ultimate Bacon-Jalapeño Mac and Cheese- with its five cheese sauce and smoky bacon- is guaranteed to provide comfort. This post is sponsored by my friends at Danish Creamery, however, all thoughts and opinions are my own. This move has been one of the hardest in my life; I’m not being dramatic, either. In my…
