Cinco de Mayo Celebration

3 Great Cinco de Mayo Party Ideas

2009-04-30T19:26:00.000-07:00

You might even track down and play some old Mexican music or music about the revolution to play.
The Cinco de Mayo celebration is traditionally loud and raucous. You can add to that with noisemakers and fireworks. Though you may wish to hold your party somewhere without a lot of neighbors to annoy or else make the decision to end the party at an appropriate time. In place of fireworks you can also give the kids sparklers and snaps in order to entertain themselves. Or set up the always popular Piñata for the guests to take turns swinging at. It should be more than enough to get your party going.

Instead of throwing a loud party for this holiday you can use as a chance to explore Mexican culture and history. Invite a small group of friends to go to a Mexican cultural center or museum in your area. Then for lunch you can go to a Mexican restaurant to eat. If you decide to stay home rent a movie about the Mexican Revolution for your guests. Or play some music from Mexico and serve up real traditional Mexican foods, not the Americanized versions we have here. Coconut Flan is a popular dessert, or serve up some Chocolate Atole for your guests. This is a hearty beverage with chocolate and corn flour traditionally served at breakfast. You can ask little trivia questions of the kids throughout the party in exchange for candy.

ABOUT THE AUTHOR

Gail Leino is known throughout the web world as Mrs. Party. She has become the internet's leading authority on selecting the best possible party supplies with clever themes. Her simple party planning approach demostrates how to use proper manners while teaching etiquette with organizational skills. She shares lots of interesting fun facts. Cinco de Mayo Party Decorations free games, menus, recipes, coloring pages, activities, etc. to help complete your event.

Cinco de Mayo Recipes with Zing!

2009-04-29T19:18:00.000-07:00

In Mexico, Cinco de Mayo (May 5th) is primarily a regional holiday celebrated in the state of Puebla. It has major significance in that part of the country because it commemorates an initial victory of Mexican forces led by General Ignacio Zaragoza Seguín over French forces in the Battle of Puebla on May 6, 1862.

There is a common misconception that Cinco de Mayo is Mexico's Independence Day when in fact September 16th is the most important national patriotic holiday in Mexico. In the early hours of September 16, 1810, father Hidalgo, accompanied by several conspirators (Iganacio Allende, Doña Josefa Ortiz de Domínguez to name a few), rang the bell at his church calling on everyone to fight for liberty. This was the beginning of the Mexican Independence War, which lasted 10 years.

In the United States, Cinco de Mayo has taken on meaning beyond that in Puebla, Mexico. Regardless of their own ethnic descent, Americans celebrate St. Patrick's Day and Oktoberfest (among other holidays) to honor those of Irish and German descent. Similiarly, Cinco de Mayo is celebrated to honor the culture and experience of those of Mexican descent.

Especially in cities with large populations of those of Mexican ancestry, such as Los Angeles, San Fransico and San Antonio, Cinco de Mayo is grandly celebrated. This is the perfect occasion for planning a home theme party so I thought I would help you get started by sharing a few of my favorite Cinco de Mayo recipes.

Appetizer--Warm Chipotle Cheddar Dip

2 cups shredded Cheddar cheese 1 cup shredded Monterey Jack or Mozzarella cheese 1/2 cup mayonnaise 1-8 oz. can whole kernel corn, drained (3/4 cup) 1-4 oz. can chopped green chili peppers, drained 2 teaspoons finely chopped canned chipotle chili peppers in adobo sauce (or to taste) 1/4 teaspoon garlic powder 1 medium tomato, seeded and chopped (3/4 cup) 1/4 cup sliced green onion 2 tablespoons snipped fresh cilantro Vegetables, crackers or chips

I found this dip when I was on a low carb diet and was looking for a party appetizer that would work well with vegetables. Something with a robust flavor that would perk up the veggies.

Well this one definitely fit the bill. This appetizer has become a favorite among my friends. It's served multiple times throughout the year at various parties that I either host or attend.

You can make it as smokey and spicy as you want by adjusting the amount of chipotle peppers (smoked jalepenos) but watch out. You can easily go from mildly spicy to blow-your-face-off hot by adding too much!

Steps to Make Cheddar Chipotle Dip

Preheat oven to 350 degrees.

Stir together cheeses, mayonnaise, corn, green chili peppers, chipotle chili peppers and garlic powder in a large mixing bowl. Spread mixture into a 1 quart, covered dish.

Bake for 30 minutes until bubbly. Top with tomato, green onion and cilantro. I like to make a pattern out of the toppings so I put the tomatoes all in the middle, make a ring around them with the green onion then sprinkle the cilantro over all.

Serve with vegetables, like red, green and yellow peppers. Tostido and Frito Scoops work well too.

Main Course--Chicken with Chocolate Sauce (Mole Poblano)

4 tablespoons olive oil 2 cloves garlic, minced 6 chicken breast halves, skinless and boneless 1 onion, chopped 1 green pepper, chopped 3 slices canned pimento, chopped 2 tomatoes, peeled, seeded and chopped 2 tablespoons chili powder (or to taste) 2-1/2 cups chicken broth 1/4 cup slivered almonds 1/4 cup raisins 1/2 teaspoon cumin 1/4 teaspoon nutmeg 1/4 teaspoon ground cloves 1/4 teaspoon cinnamon 1/2 teaspoon salt 1/4 teaspoon pepper 1 teaspoon sugar Grated rind of 1 orange 2 squares bitter chocolate, chopped 1/4 cup light rum (optional)

Preheat oven to 350 degrees.

In a casserole, heat oil and cook garlic for a few minutes to flavor the oil. Add chicken just to brown (it will finish cooking in the oven) and then remove it from the pan.

In the remaining fat, cook onion, green pepper, pimento and tomato over gentle heat for 10 minutes. Add chili powder, blending well.

Add broth, almonds, raisins, seasonings and rind. Simmer, covered, for 30 minutes then add the chocolate and stir until melted.

Add chicken back in and spoon sauce on top.

Cover and bake for 1 hour or until chicken is tender. Warm rum, ignite it and pour over contents of casserole. Allow to stand for a few minutes until flame is extinguished and then serve on a large platter.

Serves 6.

Cocktail--Golden Margarita, Vero Beach Style

1-1/2 oz. Gold Tequila 1/2 oz. lime juice 3 oz sour mix 1/2 oz. Grand Marnier (can use Cointreau or Triple Sec) Dash of orange juice Lime wedge for garnish Salt for rimming glass (optional)

Several years ago, my husband and I were sitting at a cute little beachfront bar in Vero Beach, Florida. The bartender asked us for our order and I wanted to try something new. He told us that he makes a "mean margarita."

I told him that my experience with margaritas up to that point was not very good. Every time I tried one, they were either so tart that my face would pucker up or the sour mix was so acidy that it burned going down.

He claimed that his "Golden Margarita" would be different. He was right and I have loved them ever since.

To make a Golden Margarita, Vero Beach style:

Dip the rim of a margarita glass in water then salt.

In a shaker, combine tequila, lime juice and sour mix with ice cubes. Shake well. Pour contents, with ice, into the glass.

Gently pour the Grand Marnier and then the orange juice on top of the tequila mixture. Garnish with the lime wedge.

When you take a sip of this drink, first you get the sweet taste of the orange liqueur and juice then you get the tartness of the lime and sour mix. The combination makes a perfectly smooth Margarita.

Now that you know the meaning of Cinco de Mayo and have a bunch of great party recipes, start planning your party now. May 5th will be here before you know it.

ABOUT THE AUTHOR

Sandee Lembke from Theme Party Queen.com invites you to visit her site for more Cinco de Mayo party ideas and recipes.

Cinco de Mayo Is Party Time - Ole'

2009-04-27T21:07:00.000-07:00

Cinco De Mayo, the 5th Of May, is recognized as a good reason to have a party in some parts of Mexico and the United States. Here are the Cinco de Mayo Recipes that will all but guarantee a successful Cinco de Mayo Party!

It was May 5, 1862 when the Mexican militia defeated the French at Puebla, Mexico. This victory eventually led to the unifying of the Mexican people. This is not their day of independence, but rather a successful effort toward driving the French from their country. Mexico's Independence Day is actually September 16.

Mexico and the U. S. are forever bound together, just as the U.S. is with our northern neighbor, Canada. Our people mingle, marry, have children, enjoy each others cultural roots, enhance each others knowledge and strengthen each others lives.

One of the things I thoroughly appreciate is the Hispanic influence in our culinary pursuits. How could we ever have not had salsas, guacamole and other dips, enchiladas, tacos, chili con queso, tamales, nachos, burritos, fajitas and quesadillas? To not have these as options on our table would be missing a real treat.

The mingling of cultures has led to completely new foods such as the famous and famously delicious "Tex-Mex" foods and "Cal-Mex" delights and "New-Mex" treats.

I am (not) sorry to admit it, but there are times when nothing else will satisfy but a delicious enchilada or taco. I'm just waiting for the day that medical researchers admit that hot chiles cure cancer - or something! How about you! ?

Actually, there are no specific foods associated with celebrating Cinco de Mayo (May 5). But Mexican holidays or celebrations bring a number of delicious foods to our minds.

What do people eat in Mexico?

The variety of food available in Mexico is huge, with unique dishes for each region as you move from the north to the south, east to west, with many regional styles throughout, just as it is in America and, I suspect, throughout most of the world. There is no real official dish of Mexico. When asked, my hispanic friends just tell me everything is good. :-)

The corn tortilla is one food item that may be common throughout Mexico. Corn originates from Mexico and is still a main staple there, even though flour is becoming more and more popular. There are food stands everywhere in Mexico offering a variety of tacos, most still using corn tortillas. And corn tortillas are still made fresh daily in stores, bakeries and food stands in Mexico. So if Mexico did decide to have an official dish, it would probably be a corn tortilla taco.

Beef, chicken and pork dishes are popular throughout the Mexico, and of course fish is a main stay near Mexico's long pacific and caribbean coasts. You'll find vegetables of every kind and include the traditional beans, often served with rice. There is also a large variety of fresh salsas.

Think of your favorite Mexican-style recipes and beverages to celebrate the occasion. Some of the Cinco de Mayo Recipes on my website are most requested restaurant recipes all year long even though the drinks and dishes represent the Mexican culture. Certain recipes for food and drink will all but guarantee you a successful, fulfilling Cinco de Mayo party.

ABOUT THE AUTHOR

For Cinco de Mayo Recipes just click Cinco de Mayo!

Donna Hager has owned and operated an American-style restaurant for over two decades. More articles and hundreds of recipes can be found on her website that features real restaurant recipes, menus, cooking tips, and much more at Real Restaurant Recipes.com

Donna is also the author of the new e-cookbook "Real Restaurant Recipes: Food That Built a Business"