El Torito's Sweet Corn Cake

At first glance you might be wondering what the hell this is...

Well, it is El Torito's Sweet Corn Cake.

Still confused? If you have ever been to El Torito, it is that little ice cream scoop of corn goodness that they give with just about every hot dish on the menu. I am fanatic over it and I figured that I should learn how to make it.

What makes this even better is that this is the actual recipe for their sweet corn cake. I got it from a chef at a near-by El Torito. While I know you are hoping for a really cool story about how I obtained the recipe James Bond style, I just simply went in and asked for it.

Homemade Churros

The churro.

An amazing combination of fried dough, sugar and cinnamon goodness; especially scrumptious when hot and freshly rolled in cinnamon sugar. Based on my extensive research, everybody loves them.

In continuing with the Mexican theme these past few days and at Ashley's suggestion, I decided to make Homemade Churros.

After that choice was made, I went on a fact-finding mission to see just what it would take to make your own churros. What amazed me was that I had everything I needed already in my pantry. How awesome is that? I can guarantee that if you ever do anything baking related, you do as well.

Turkey Soft Tacos with Mexican Rice

Mexican food is the one type of food I could eat over and over and still always be in the mood for it. In fact, I actudally had tacos for lunch before I came home and made my own.

In addition, it goes with my mini Mexican food series of posts that began with Natalie's salsa. Just wait until the desserts are posted, they were a ton of fun to make.

Back to the dish at hand: tacos and Mexican rice. I couldn't find any ripe avocado's so the guac in the picture is store bought, but I promise to throw up my chunky guacamole soon.

I know what you're thinking, tacos? Tacos are easy, why make a post about tacos. Well, this post is mainly about the Mexican rice rather than the tacos but both are included. Think of it as a two-for-one.

Natalie's Salsa

My all-time favorite salsa.

Period.

I am totally in love with this salsa. It is smokey and spicy and can be easily modified for preferences.

As the title might suggest, this recipe is not my own. I have shamelessly stolen it and made it countless times over. This recipe came from a good friend of mine, Natalie. She also blogs (though not about food) and has a road less traveled ("deviant" in her own words) take on scrapbooking.

Recipes like this are part of my new thing in making all my own sauces instead of buying commercial. In some cases it's easy and even cheaper, in other instances not so much. Either way, the accomplishment in making your own sauce is satisfying.