Cinco de Mayo Recipes and Party Ideas

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Cinco de Mayo Recipes and Party Ideas

I have combined essential Cinco de Mayo recipes and party ideas that are authentic and easy to make.

Throwing a memorable party to celebrate this day requires some authentic touches you can give with decor, music and food without going broke.

The following "5 de Mayo" recipes require inexpensive and easy to find ingredients from your local supermarket.

Three Cinco de Mayo Recipes to Make Your Party Rock

Cinco de Mayo Recipes for Margaritas

What better way to celebrate than preparing for your guests a famous Cinco de Mayo recipe of margaritas!

I have collected 3 of my favorite Cinco de Mayo recipes for Margaritas that you can use depending on your budget, time and flavor you desire. Believe me, ALL of them have a twist which make them unique.

The Real Deal	The Simplest �The Frozen One-	The Modern Flavorful One
Lime wedge salt 1 jigger* Cointreau 3 jiggers tequila (or 2) 1 jigger freshly squeezed lime juice Ice	Limes Salt One 6-oz can of frozen limeade 4 shots of tequila Ice	2-oz of tequila 1-oz Berentzen�s � apple liqueur �-oz fresh lemon juice
� Put the salt in a paper towel. � Rub the lime wedge on the rim of a margarita glass. � Dip the rim in salt. � Combine Cointreau, tequila, lime juice, and a small handful of ice. � Stir well and pour all into the glass. * Jigger = 1 1/2 fluid ounces (3 tablespoons).	� Fill blender with ice. � Add tequila and can of limeade. � Blend together until all ice is crushed. � Dampen the border of the margarita glass and dip in salt. � Serve the mix and garnish with lime.	� Shake ingredients with ice. � Strain into a chilled cocktail glass with a salted rim. � Serve. � Garnish with a slice of green apple.

Cinco de Mayo Recipe for Smooth Guacamole -Serves Four

4 ripe avocados, 1/2 red onion chopped, juice of 3 limes, salt, ground pepper, 1 garlic clove minced, 1 handful of fresh cilantro finely chopped and extra-virgin olive oil.

Guacamole
Picture by *O*

Cut the avocados in half and take the pit out.

Scoop out the flesh with a tablespoon into a mixing bowl.

Mash the avocados very well with a fork.

Add the remaining ingredients, and gently mix.

The lime helps you avoid blackening.

Refrigerate 1 hour before serving.

Cinco de Mayo Recipe for Chicken/beef/pork Enchilada Casserole

Mexican Casserole -Chicken & Enchilada
Picture by Jess

2 cups of cooked chicken/beef/pork in cubes or strips. Suggestion: marinate with cumin. 1-16 oz can of drained black beans (I prefer Goya), 1 (4.5 ounce) can diced and drained green chile peppers, 1 Handful of fresh cilantro, 1 (10 ounce) can red enchilada sauce, 2 cups of shredded Mexican blend cheese, 1 (8 ounce) container of sour cream.

Mix chicken, beans, chile and cilantro in a bowl. Use an 11x7 inch baking dish. to layer 4 tortillas. Use some sauce at the bottom before you place the tortillas.

Add chicken mixture over the tortillas, and sprinkle with cheese and sour cream.

Add a second tortilla layer and again add chicken mixture over the tortillas, sprinkle with cheese and sour cream, and add more sauce.

Cover dish with a lid or aluminum foil.

Bake for 30 minutes in the preheated oven at 375 degrees F (190 C).

Sprinkle the remaining cheese over the top and dot with sour cream.

Continue cooking, uncovered until cheese melts.

Let stand 10 minutes before serving.

Cinco de Mayo Party Ideas

I recommend thinking about invitations, main colors, music, and food to tie the entire party.

1. Invitations: You can e-vite your friends, use an email, buy them at the store or make them, but please make sure they HAVE typical symbols of Mexico. Use maracas, sombreros, donkeys with ponchos, etc. to attract attention. If I buy the invitations I use them as a guide to set the colors.

I love to send invitations by mail. I make them myself and I simply print a Mexican hat to go with the blurb in the front: "Celebremos Cinco de Mayo en mi casa con margaritas, guacamole y enchiladas!!!" In the inside I give all necessary information. I use yellow cards and they print beautifully with bright colors.

2. Color: Use a bright color scheme. My favorite colors are yellow, red, green, and purple. Don�t be afraid of using these bold colors through the house. Use yellow table cloths with red runners. Create �fiesta ambiance� with red, yellow and green candles.

If you are using disposable plates buy the colorful ones in accordance to the color scheme. Mix and match! And that includes napkins.

Surprise your guests with a margarita and maracas at the door. Use colorful flowers to complement your table, birds of paradise work great.

3. Music: Mariachi songs and some �rancheras� are the norm. You don�t need to over do it, but you can play some �Mariachi� songs while proposing a toast to friendship.

The most popular are �Pero Sigo Siendo El Rey,� or simply have music of Alejandro Fernandez, and Vicente Fernandez that you can mix with your own music in your cd changer.

Let the margaritas flow!
Picture by Daisy Baxter

4. Food: No Cinco de Mayo party is complete without serving guacamole and margaritas. If you want to get a bit fancier make my Cinco de Mayo recipe for chicken/beef/pork enchilada casserole.

If you don't have time to make any of my Cinco de Mayo recipes, you can use margaritas and guacamole to mix with pre-made h'orderves like mini flautas or taquitos, that big stores like Costco or BJ�s sell in the frozen food section. Serve Coronas with lime wedges.

You can also serve buffet style �assembly station- which has worked wonders for me. You simply have a big batch of warm tortillas that people can ensemble with beans, mashed avocado, chopped tomatoes, red onions, cilantro, sour cream, refried canned beans, and sour cream. Your guests pass along the table and serve themselves while chatting to each other.

I hope you enjoy these simple but delicious Cinco de Mayo recipes along with my Cinco de Mayo party ideas. They have worked for me and require little effort from me to receive great compliments from my friends. You too can enjoy a real Mexican holiday� y que viva Mexico!

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