Cinco de Mayo, Olè!

Cinco de Mayo is big in Texas.

You probably didn't need me to tell you that, huh? 

Well it is! It's actually a bigger deal here than it is in Mexixo. Cinco de Mayo is a celebration of freedom, but it is not Mexican Independence Day. That holiday is celebrated on September 16th.

Cinco de Mayo is the anniversary of The Battle of Puebla and a celebration of Mexican Pride and heritage for Americans of Mexican Descent.

I am not Mexican, but, Olè!
Everyone is Mexican for a day on Cinco de Mayo!

Here in Texas there are celebrations everywhere.

You can find a complete guide to local happenings at The Houston Press: 2014 Houston Cinco de Mayo Guide  Some of the highlights are The Fiesta Universal in The Woodlands, featuring Mariachi Music and food trucks, and The 9th Annual Cinco de Mayo Celebration at Trader's Village  More live music, food and fun!
Another fun event is The 18th Annual Cinco de Mayo Parade in Houston 

This year Cinco de Mayo falls on a Monday. A work day. We will be celebrating at home by having
 tacos, Margarita Spritzers and chips This is a very refreshing spin on your typical Margarita, simple, pretty and thirst quenching, but still light enough to enjoy on a work day.

Margarita Spritzer

3 oz tequila

3 oz margarita mix

3 oz lime soda

Margarita salt

Line wedge

Mix tequila and mix in a small pitcher.

          Add soda and pour into salt- rimmed glass. 

Serve with frozen fruit, like raspberries

     Simple! 

Another quick Cinco de Mayo fix is homemade chips and salsa. 

Soft corn or flour tortillas are available in any super market, both in New Jersey and Texas, although only in Texas is there an entire isle devoted to just tortillas! Yes! A WHOLE isle full. Amazing how many varieties you can find!

Anyway, grab a big pack and cut them up into fun shapes then deep fry them a handful at a time in hot oil at 350 for a few minutes, then drain them on paper towels and salt them. They really are

Better than in a bag and very simple to make. 

There are many recipes on the Internet for authentic Mexican food.

I do not specialize in Mexican cooking, so I, like you, turn to the internet for clever ideas and recipes to make my celebrations special.  My personal favorite go-to place for Authentic Mexican recipes is Hispanic Kitchen. I have a friend over there named Sonia Mendez and we share a unique friendship that has blossomed due to our common bond . Or not common, but opposite bond! You see, Sonia lived in Texas but she now lives in New York, and blogging about her Mexican family recipes.  I am a Jersey Girl, living in Texas, blogging about my Italian family recipes! See how we jive? 

Anyway, I recommend any recipe on Hispanic Kitchen, but lets explore a few favorites!

Tacos Arabes by Sonia Mendez of Hispanic Kitchen This is a delicious taco with pork and black beans and a sauce made of cilantro and yogurt. The origins of this dish trace its roots to Puebla, Mexico, so its a perfect dish for Cindo de Mayo

Chiles Rellenos with Beef By Sonia  Here is an Authentic Mexican Stuffed Pepper recipe that Sonia learned from her mother. Stuffed with a mixture of seasoned ground beef and potatoes, these potatoes are dipped in flour and then stiff egg whites then fried to perfection. Another fantastic and authentic Mexican specialty!

Sun Dried Tomato & Chipotle Guacamole  Here is Sonia's twist on Guacamole! What a great way to spice it up and add some zing, Sun dried tomatoes and Chipotle peppers! Yumm!

Mexican Pizza by Lynn Socko Another favorite chef of mine is friend and fellow Just a Pinch member, Lynn Socko. She's a native Texan creating Tex-Mex and Mexican dishes with an emphasis on making delicious dishes that are low carbs without missing any of the flavor. Her wonderful recipe for Mexican Pizza has earned her a Feature Blue Ribbon on Just a Pinch. 

Cinco de Mayo Burger Here is a fantastic recipe for a burger on a tortilla instead of a bun. My friend and fellow blogger Linda Dalton created this recipe last year and it earned her a Golden Ticket to the World Food Championships! This burger was also the inspiration for my competition burger, Quesadilla Patty Melt. Fantastic idea and really delicious!

 You can check out more of Linda's recipes on her blog, Recipes Re-mixed 

Whatever you decide to do for Cinco de Mayo, either throwing a party, a family dinner or heading out on the town, don't forget that for this one day we are ALL Mexican, so have your margarita, and enjoy! Olè!