Party Time: Cinco de Mayo

What better excuse for a party than Cinco de Mayo? My thoughts immediately turn to a cold margarita and spicy eats.  Here’s a a low-maintenance menu for a cocktail party style gathering with substantial food. No time to get it together for Cinco de Mayo? It makes a great party any time of year.

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Party Margaritas

Empanadas (You could easily sub tamales here.)

Tortilla Chips & Three Dips: Salsa, Guacamole & Pico de Gallo

Queso Especial with Chips

Shrimp & Crab “Ceviche” with Cilantro & Mango

Field Greens Salad with Oranges, Green Onions & Toasted Pecans

Spicy Sand Tarts

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I’ve provided links to some of the recipes, and the recipe for the margaritas follows. The margies are great to keep in your freezer for impromptu gatherings.

Tips:

Guacamole – Keep it simple. I hand-mash with salt, a hint of garlic and a bit of lime.
Queso Especial is the standard Velveeta and Rotel, but doctored with chopped red onion, fresh cilantro and a bit of chorizo.
The salad is just as it sounds: field greens with segmented oranges, chopped green onion and toasted pecans. I make a simple dressing of lemon juice, Dijon, honey, garlic and olive oil.
Mariachis would be a special treat, but if your budget doesn’t allow live music, then download mariachis, Tejano music and Mexican tunes (the soundtrack to Frida is a favorite.) onto your Ipod.

Short Cuts:

Purchase your favorite bottled salsa and look for freshly packaged pico de gallo in the produce departement of your grocery store.
Use a good quality bottled salad dressing.

Enjoy. -alyce eyster