Cinco de Mayo

I don't know about you, but I don't need much of an excuse for Mexican food! And not having any Latin heritage and living in a state that is only loosely considered "southwest" I'm not totally sure that my Cinco de Mayo is completely "authentic," but who cares?? Not me! And being a bit of a snob about my holidays (as you know) I get a little crazy in my plans for holidays like this!

I do dream of throwing this shindig for my family and friends:

courtesy of kara's party ideas

But my Cinco de Mayo might get as festive as running by Chipotle! (I almost just typed Taco Bell but then threw up in my mouth a little and thought, "Dot, you'd never sink that low...")

Here's some ideas to help us all land somewhere in between! (Although if you celebrate on par with Kara's Party Ideas up there: More. Power. To. You.)

First off you might want to stop by Christy Robbin's blog where she has a round up of good ideas, including this Churro cupcake (filled with dulce de leche):

recipe here

I'm also thinking of just buying a couple of Costco churros, slicing them up into fourths and serving with Haagen-Dazs Dulce de Leche ice cream. But if you want to make some real Churros from scratch, Christy has a recipe for that too!

Personally, I have to have some good guacamole with any Mexican food too. My friend Kristin has a recipe that I'm going to try this Cinco de Mayo!

efn recipes

I might also make fish tacos, if you haven't tried them, you need to! My friend Pam has a super yummy recipe but I substitute in the tortilla-crusted tilapia filets from Costco. 'Cause I'm classy like that.

Pam’s Fish Tacos

Inspired from the Fish tacos at The Mission in Scottsdale

Lemon/Herb Marinade*

Chop together:

½ c. cilantro leaves (or whatever herb you want)

zest of one lemon

Then add:

Juice from the lemon

1/8 c. white wine

¾ c. olive oil

1 t. garlic/shallot puree (or 1 T. garlic)

Whisk then let meld for 30 min.

Marinade white fish (Mahi Mahi is best) for 30 minutes, then grill approx 8 min.

*Delish for any meats or white fish

Garlic/Shallot Puree

10 cloves garlic

½ shallot

1 t. olive oil

Blend in food processor

Then add 1 T. olive oil and blend longer

Use 1 t. when recipe calls for 1T of garlic

Refrigerate for 7 days or freeze

Fish Taco Sauce

1/3 c. mayo

1/3 c. plain yogurt

1 t. lime juice

1 dash of chipotle sauce

Serve sliced white fish on small white corn tortillas

Along with:

Chopped white (Chinese) cabbage

Chopped tomatoes

Sliced mini sweet red peppers

And another few delish recipes to try are these copies from a popular Mexican restaurant scattered through the southwest, Cafe Rio. My SIL emailed them to me ages ago when we left Salt Lake City for Seattle and I was dying for some Mexican food. Her words:

These are REALLY good copies. Try them, you will not be disappointed.

Café Rio Pork

3# Pork roast (butt or shoulder)
1 c dark brown sugar
1 c Worcestershire sauce
1 t dried oregano
1 t powdered ginger
1 t salt
1 t chili powder
1 t garlic powder
2 T dried minced onions

Cook all ingredients in a crock pot all day. One hour before serving, remove roast and shred it, dump out cooking juices. Put shredded pork back into crock pot and add…

1 c dark brown sugar
1 c red enchilada sauce

Lime Rice

1 c white rice
2 T chicken broth, + broth to cook rice in
1 T fresh lime juice
1 T garlic powder
1 T dried minced onion
Pinch of salt

Cook all ingredients for rice directions, substituting chicken broth for water. When rice is done, add…

½-1 c chopped cilantro
1 T fresh lime juice
1 c green enchilada sauce

Creamy Tomatillo Dressing

Place the following in a blender:
3 tomatillos, peeled and cut in ¼’s
Juice of ½ lime
½ c buttermilk
½ c mayo
½ c sour cream
1 pkg dry ranch buttermilk dressing
1 c fresh chopped cilantro
6 green onions, with ends
2 cloves crushed garlic
3 t sugar
1 jalapeno, sliced thin, and added to taste

Mix well, refrigerate 1 hour.

And I think I am going to make the completely swoon-worthy pinatas from One Charming Party. They are AMAZING! Or I might get sucked into the ones on sale at the grocery store. But I dunno, these are pretty dang cute!