There is not a more perfect time to celebrate Cinco de Mayo this year! We are not only inclined to celebrate a classic fiesta but we can also celebrate the end of our classes for the year and party before some serious studying goes down. Call it Cinco de Mayo or call it a “Finals Fiesta,” but either way you should have a way to party!
For me it seems that food and fiesta go hand in hand, but all the options that I can serve can overwhelm me. I think I may have some control over my serving scares with these delicious and simple ideas that will make anyone a “feliz foodie!”
No Fail Fajitas
There is just something about fajitas that I love! A great idea is to have a fajita bar, everyone can choose their own toppings and be creative. It relieves some pressure from you as the chef in trying to please everyone – meat eaters and vegetarians or picky and plentiful eaters.
Some ingredients that can be included in your fajita bar are:
- Meats: Chicken, steak, pork, fish (shrimp or a white fish). Grilled veggies are an alternative for vegetarians.
- Condiments: Salsa, pico de gallo, guacamole, sour cream, tabasco, corn and black bean salsa
- Toppers: Shredded cheese, extra grilled vegetables (I always like peppers and onions), corn, lettuce, tomato
**HINT HINT** Not in the mood to serve fajitas and think that your guests will enjoy tacos more? That is no problem. Ground beef, turkey or chicken is also cheaper and perfect to serve as your meat in tacos.
Chips and HOW MANY dips?!
I don’t know about you readers, but for me, it seems that there are about a million “Mexican dip” recipes on top of the already classic and creative guacamole and salsa recipes. Don’t fear though, I’d say narrow it down to about 4 categories: salsa, guacamole, unique twist on either salsa or guacamole (I personally like a corn and black bean salsa), and a “Mexican dip” which can be a layered or classic bean dip.
Check out these recipes! (My personal favorites are Ina’s Guacamole and the 7 Layer Mexican Dip.)
If cooking isn’t your thing, any of these can be bought at your local grocery store or most Mexican restaurants, especially those that offer Take-Out. Sometimes BC salad bar has some salsas, so if you have those dining dollars why not spend them there?
**FUN SERVING IDEA** Get a sombrero and around the rim of the hat lay your chips out. This keeps them all contained and is completely Cinco de Mayo appropriate!
Now that you have the dips down, time to focus on the chips. Corn chips: simple right… wrong! Blue corn? Organic? Scoops? Restaurant Style? I say get a good chip that is sturdy enough to hold your dip and not too starchy. Tostitos (in the dining hall) has plenty of options but other popular and good brands are rated here.
Honestly I don’t think your guests will be upset by your chip choice unless you break the cardinal Seinfeld rule and “Double Dip the chip.”
Rice and Beans
You cannot go through a Mexican meal without Mexican rice and beans: they’re a staple! My advice is not to put yourself through the boring procedure of making your own rice. This time around I say get your easy (microwavable if you chose) pre-made packages of Mexican rice from your local grocery store. It is cheap and classic!
Nachos in No Time
Nachos are always something I am unsure about serving just because of how messy they can get and after your first few guests get the good gooey ones, all you have left are the dry and dull ones. One idea to make everyone happy is to make nacho cups or individual servings of nachos. This is ideal if you are only having a few guests, and know how many you’re having so you can pre-make them and everyone gets one.
Margaritaville!
You can’t celebrate Cinco de Mayo without the signature drink! Try out the twist on the classic with these 10 Margarita recipes.
Not a fan of Margaritas but still want some alcohol? Try some Coronas, tequila, smoothies or Horchata. For more drink ideas check out http://www.foodnetwork.com/recipes-and-cooking/cinco-de-mayo-drinks-and-cocktails/pictures/index.html.
Dulce Delicioso Desserts
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Margarita cupcakes: What is more perfect than alcohol and dessert?!
- Food Network’s Recipe Recap: Tres Leches cake, churros, flan, Mexican brownies and more!!
- Sombrero cookies: Cute and affordable. If you don’t want to make the cookies just get some dots, icing and sprinkles and impress your friends!
Not up for cooking or hosting? No worries, you can still combine your fiesta and foodie side. There are plenty of restaurants nearby that have delicious and affordable options for Mexican food. Check out these options:
- El Pelon
- Anna’s Taqueria
- Chipolte
- Boloco
- Fajitas & ’Ritas
- Café Sol Azteca
- Tango Mango: 1191 Centre Street, Newton, (617) 969-8100
Want to get a bit more fancy or some more ideas? Check out the article by another HC BC writer Meghan Gibbons when it comes out later this week.
So hang up your piñata, put on your sombrero and get out your maracas! Put on some spicy music and get yourself ready to FIESTA!!
Photo Sources:
http://lh6.ggpht.com/_2K0fThAEbFY/TDi9NmnDFOI/AAAAAAAADPI/3y6jHuMGNW0/TacoBar_thumb4.jpg
http://www.browneyedbaker.com/2011/05/05/margarita-cupcakes-cinco-de-mayo/
http://www.sogoodblog.com/wp-content/uploads/2008/01/double-dip.png
http://www.partyatlewis.com/Merchant2/graphics/00000001/14264-cz.jpg
http://the-wilson-world.blogspot.com/2011/05/cinco-de-mayo-treats-sombrero-cookies.html
http://thefoodilove.files.wordpress.com/2010/04/mexican-dinner-party-045.jpg