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What’s On The Menu: Cinco de Mayo

I’m not Mexican, and I’m not even entirely sure what Cinco de Mayo is celebrating, but any excuse to enjoy Mexican food is a holiday in my book!

If I were entertaining this weekend, which I’m NOT, but if I were, this is what I would make. Just thought I’d share, in case anyone is looking for some last minute inspiration.

Let’s start with homemade guacamole. So easy and delicious. And nutritious too!

For a main course, these chicken enchiladas are a family favorite. Served with a salad, they are a satisfying meal. Alas, they are not gluten-free, but I suppose you could use corn tortillas. I need to try that.

Or, if you want a lighter option, try these low-carb Mexican Lettuce Wraps.

Or if you’re entertaining a crowd, serve both!

And of course no Cinco de Mayo celebration is complete without a pitcher of MARGARITAS! (Ignore the enchiladas with Cream of Chemical soup on that page. I have come a long way since then!)

I wish I had a picture of the margaritas. That will be remedied this weekend, for sure! But seriously, don’t overlook that recipe just because it is lacking photographic evidence of its deliciousness. That is an AMAZING recipe, and so easy with my secret short-cut ingredient (frozen limeade).

Do you do anything fun for Cinco de Mayo? I just took a bowl of that guacamole over to my son’s 6th grade classroom. (They’re studying Mexico and having a little celebration this afternoon.) It was all I could do not to dive in nose first.

Incidentally, because I was curious, I googled Cinco de Mayo. Good ole Wikipedia to the rescue!

Cinco de Mayo (Spanish for “fifth of May”) is a celebration held on May 5. It is celebrated nationwide in the United States and regionally in Mexico, primarily in the state of Puebla, where the holiday is called El Dia de la Batalla de Puebla (English: The Day of the Battle of Puebla). The date is observed in the United States as a celebration of Mexican heritage and pride, and to commemorate the cause of freedom and democracy during the first years of the American Civil War. In the state of Puebla, the date is observed to commemorate the Mexican army’s unlikely victory over French forces at the Battle of Puebla on May 5, 1862, under the leadership of General Ignacio Zaragoza Seguín. Contrary to widespread popular belief, Cinco de Mayo is not Mexico’s Independence Day—the most important national patriotic holiday in Mexico—which is actually celebrated on September 16.

So there you have it!

Disclaimer: all of the above recipes, I got from friends. I can’t take any credit for their perfection.

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5 Responses

  1. My wedding anniversary is also today. A couple of years ago, when my daughter was just three months old, we called up our favorite Mexican restaurant looking for a reservation. They laughed at me, as they kindly reminded me of the date! It’s NOT just our anniversary :).

  2. I’ve done enchiladas with corn tortillas and they’re good, just smaller.

    My husband is Mexican and I thought it was funny b/c last night he was talking with his sister and when told her that we went down the street* to the Cinco de Mayo festivities she said, “Oh, that’s right. Today was 5 de Mayo.” It’s much more celebrated here than in Mexico.

    *We happen to live a few blocks away from the area considered the Hispanic part of the city. It’s only a few blocks but there are restaurants and Mexican stores. The funny part is that we rarely ever go down there. Actually, I think the last time we did was when my soon (tomorrow) to be 6 year old was almost 1.

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