April 2, 2020

Cinco de Mayo!

Cinco de Mayo is almost here!

Is there an easier theme for a fiesta than Cinco de Mayo? Nope. There is not. Mexican food is great for a crowd: it’s easy to make, it tastes awesome, and it’s cheap! Hopefully this year we can celebrate with friends, but if not, seize the day to party with your family!

This year, Cinco de Mayo falls on a Wednesday.

But there’s nothing saying we can’t celebrate for the whole week!

Cinco de Mayo, it turns out, is really much more popular in the US than in Mexico. Did you think Cinco de Mayo was the celebration of Mexican Independence? Nope. What it is:

Cinco de Mayo (pronounced [ˈsiŋko ðe ˈmaʝo] in Latin America, Spanish for “Fifth of May”) is an annual celebration held on May 5. The date is observed to commemorate the Mexican Army‘s victory over the French Empire at the Battle of Puebla, on May 5, 1862, under the leadership of General Ignacio Zaragoza.^[1]^[2] … The Mexican victory, however, was short-lived. A year later, with 30,000 troops, the French were able to defeat the Mexican army, capture Mexico City, and install Emperor Maximilian I as ruler of Mexico. Wikepedia

Soooo the Holiday celebrates a failed French Invasion. Regardless, it has become a great holiday for us all to enjoy Mexican-American fare and good Tequila. (Or bad tequila, drunk very fast, with lime and salt.)

The meal can be as simple or as elaborate as you like.

But, EASY is the only way to go for a party where Tequila will be in attendance!

The simple Paloma Cocktail is very basic and typical of the Mexican table. It’s become super elaborate on many bar menus. Avoid that! This rendition is my favorite. It tastes great, and everyone can easily make their own if you set up a little “Paloma Bar” with highball glasses (affiliate links follow – see Disclaimer Page for details), ice, jalapenos, tequila and Squirt. Add in some Fresca (be still my heart) for the low carb/cal crowd.

Get some Jarritos Mexican Soft Drinks for the non-alcoholic drinking crowd. The varieties are endless!

It’s a party on the counter!

We’ll serve a big sombrero bowl full of corn chips. And a couple different salsas and some guacamole in dip bowls. We love Green Salsa so we’ll serve that and add in our favorite regular red salsa for variety. I’m using store bought guacamole revved up with finely chopped red onions, jalapenos and a squirt of lime juice, topped with a dollop of sour cream.

Our Black Bean Dip is screaming simple and a nice add to an appetizer spread that includes chips. Bonus: it’s actually pretty good for you. Add in some baked chips instead of the fried for a fresh option. Some assorted bell peppers are great for dipping too.