By: Alexis Mays Photos by: Jason Page
It’s a Sweet Life for Vianney Rodriguez—but it’s also savory, spicy, and flavorful.
The South Texas native is an award-winning food blogger of “Sweet Life: Cooking, Eating, Living My Sweet Life in Texas,” and the author of ‘Latin Twist,’ a cocktail book. Vianney is now set to release her second book – and first cookbook – this March. It’s called The Tex-Mex Slow Cooker, and is packed with both old family recipes and new inventions.
Vianney has been cooking her entire life and especially loves Tex-Mex. In this cookbook, she brings her passions to the pages, but also took her skills to the next level. Recipes that are traditionally for stoves and ovens can be made in a brand-new way. “This entire cookbook is completely for the slow cooker,” Vianney explains. “That was the most challenging part; to transform and tweak and develop all the recipes to go in a slow cooker.”
It was designed as a slow cooker cookbook because the appliance is a perfect way to layer on bold southern and southwest flavors. Vianney explains how she and her daughter experimented for hours on end to get the recipes just right, and the results are incredible.
The Tex-Mex Slow Cooker shows you how to make breakfast and dessert, and everything in between.
A few of the 100 dishes you’ll find in this Tex-Mex resource guide includes chile con queso, classic Margarita fajitas, tamale pie, and dulce de leche chocolate cake.
“A few of my favorites are the homemade red and green enchilada sauce—because good, quality enchiladas are so great for parties—and, the concha bread pudding.”
In addition to pages of classic plates and fan favorites, there’s also a section you’ve probably never heard of. “There’s an entire chapter of cocktails made in the slow cooker.” Vianney goes on the explain that tequila, champagne, and vodka are just a few of the liquors in her cocktail recipes.
Something so good seems like it would be hard to make, but all of the recipes in the Tex-Mex Slow Cooker can be made at any skill level. In fact, they are particularly friendly for beginners and need minimal prep time. The Tex-Mex Slow Cooker acts as your guidebook to make amazing meals—and the best part is you don’t even have to be there while it’s cooking.
From homemade salsa to a tamale casserole, the verdict is in: the way to make these dishes, and the taste of the food itself, are both outstanding.
But for Vianney, when you’re making these dishes, you’re not just making food.
“Food opens the doors of communication,” she says. “Over a plate of food, you can celebrate joys in life, mourn losses, and overcome tragedy. At the end of the day, we come together at the table, enjoy a meal, and talk about our day.”
This is why gathering around the table has always been an important part of life for her and her family.
And now, doing so yourself has never been easier. The Tex-Mex Slow Cooker is your meal manual for easy weeknight dinners, cuisine for special occasions, and tasty treats when gathering with friends and family.
Head to Amazon.com and put in your order for The Tex-Mex Slow Cooker. This cookbook, which is as colorful as it is flavorful, is available this March.
Learn more: sweetlifebake.com
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Fun Facts on Tex-Mex
- The term “TexMex” dates back to 1875, when it referred to the Texas and Mexican Railroad.
- The cuisine itself began to form hundreds of years ago during the mission era.
- Tex-Mex foods reached San Antonio, Texas during the 1880s and were an instant success.
- During this time, a bowl of chili con carne cost 10 cents.
