Go Mexican for Cinco de Mayo

For those of you looking to party like it’s 1999 on May 5th, consider hosting a Cinco de Mayo fiesta. The fifth day of the fifth month marks the Mexican army’s victory over the French at the Battle of Puebla in 1862. In the United States, commemorations of the special occasion are typically marked with large parties that feature plenty of Mexican cuisine. If you can’t make it out to a local fiesta, then have one at home using these red-hot recipes: SPICY BEEF BURRITOS Ingredients: 1 1/4 pound ground beef 1 1/2 tablespoons chili powder 1/2 teaspoon ground cumin … Continue reading

Easy and Affordable Mexican Meals

When I think of easy and affordable meals, tacos immediately come to mind. Aside from crispy corn or soft flour tortillas, everything else needed to make the Mexican dish can be found around the house on a daily basis. Also helping to keep down the costs is the main ingredient. Ground beef or turkey and chicken are all relatively cheap meats. The only problem with tacos is that they can get boring if you serve them more than three or four times a month. That’s where the following dishes come in handy. The recipes for Taco Soup, Turkey Tacos and … Continue reading

Homemade Mexican Meal

Happy Cinco de Mayo! Whether you are celebrating the day with a fabulous fiesta or you’re honoring the Mexican culture with a simple family meal, be sure to include the following tasty recipes in your festivities: TOTALLY TASTY TACO DIP Ingredients: 1 1/2 pounds ground beef 1 package taco seasoning mix 2 (16 ounces) can refried beans 1/4 cup water 2 1/2 cups sour cream 4 cups shredded Iceberg lettuce 4 cups shredded Mexican blend cheese 1 (6 ounces) can sliced black olives 1 1/2 cups chopped tomatoes 1/2 cup chopped green onions 1/2 cup chopped jalapeno peppers Directions: In … Continue reading

Spring Break Menu—New Orleans

The Big Easy is a big draw for many spring breakers. Not only is it home to waterfront attractions and legendary landmarks, but it also boasts some of the most incredible cuisine in the country. If you can’t make it to New Orleans this spring, then consider cooking up some of the region’s most iconic dishes in your own kitchen. CLASSIC SHRIMP PO’ BOY Ingredients: 10-inch crusty French bread 10 lightly breaded, fried shrimp Cajun tartar sauce Marinated salad mix Cajun Tarter Sauce Ingredients: Mayonnaise Relish Cajun seasoning (available in your grocer’s spice aisle) Directions: Combine ingredients to taste. Marinated … Continue reading

Spring Break Finger Food Party

Not everyone can afford to jet off to a sunny locale for spring break. In fact, with the economy tanking surveys show that more and more families are planning to stay close to home as Old Man Winter departs. But just because you’re home for the days leading up to Easter, doesn’t mean you can’t celebrate the arrival of warmer temperatures. The following simple finger food recipes are ideal to serve at a spring gathering for friends and family, and the best part–you won’t break the bank or your back making them: SPRING BREAK SNACK MIX Ingredients: 2 cans (15 … Continue reading

Spring Break Menu—Aloha Hawaii

I’m continuing my Spring Break Menu theme today with selections from the string of pearls in the Pacific known as the Hawaiian Islands. Since I was born and raised in the Aloha State I toyed with the idea of sharing some of the authentic Hawaiian recipes I grew up eating, but then I realized how hard it was to get some of the local ingredients, so I opted to go with these quasi-Hawaiian recipes instead. These simple dishes still pack a Hawaiian punch (despite being generic in nature). In addition, they are wonderful party recipes, should you feel the desire … Continue reading

Spring Break Menu: Tropical Treats

Just because you can’t afford to jet off to the Caribbean this spring doesn’t mean you have to miss out on the ravishing regional cuisine. The following tropical treats can be made in your own kitchen for less than a quarter of what you would pay for a plane ticket to the island retreat. CARIBBEAN STEAK WITH COCONUT RICE Ingredients: 1 flank steak (about 1 1/2 pounds) 1 can (8 ounces) crushed pineapple Ingredients for Marinade: 1/4 cup fresh lime juice 2 tablespoons finely chopped fresh cilantro 1 tablespoon Caribbean jerk seasoning Ingredients for Coconut Rice: 2 cups water 1 … Continue reading

Spring Break Menu—-Mexican Fiesta

If you are currently digging out from the massive storm that is making the East Coast look like the inside of a snow globe, then spring may seem a long way off. It does for me. Temperatures where I live are brutally cold (think 20 BELOW zero). Given that Old Man Winter still has us firmly in his grips, I’ve decided to retaliate by dedicating a series of blogs to spring break. Each day I plan to choose a popular spring break destination and provide recipes that are unique to the region. Even if you can’t jet off to a … Continue reading

Ingredients for a Simple Cinco de Mayo Party

Everyone loves a party, but not everyone has the time or the means to throw a full-fledged fiesta to celebrate Cinco de Mayo. Instead of renting a tent and filling it with tamales and pinatas, consider having a low-key affair that highlights the Mexican culture. Here are some simple ideas to get your kids fired up about the fifth of May: MEXICAN PLACEMATS Materials: Scissors Glue Ruler Pencil 18-by-12-inch piece of construction paper 16 strips of construction paper in multiple colors (each should be 1-inch wide by 12 inches long) Directions: Take the large piece of construction paper and fold … Continue reading

Hot and Spicy Cinco de Mayo Recipes

Spice up your Cinco de Mayo celebration with these sizzling hot Mexican recipes. They are easy to prepare and are sure to fire up your guests on the fifth of May: CHICKEN TORTILLA SOUP Ingredients: 1 onion, finely chopped 3 cloves of garlic, finely chopped 1 12-ounce can of tomatoes 1 1/2 lbs. of cooked chicken, cut into 1-inch cubes 3 ears of fresh corn 2 tablespoons salsa 4 cups chicken broth Pinch of salt 1/2 teaspoon Worcestershire sauce 8 corn tortillas Canola oil Sour cream for garnish Shredded mild cheddar cheese Directions: Heat two tablespoons of olive oil in … Continue reading