Cinco de Mayo
Tenga
Buenos Dias
 (ARA) – Each year, Cinco de Mayo festivities take center stage in town squares across Mexico. But you don’t have to be south of the border to join in the fun. Follow the lead of area restaurants and consider throwing a little
Cinco de Mayo fiesta of your own!
Traditional Cinco de Mayo gatherings are abuzz with music, laughter and vibrant colors -- and of course, no Cinco de Mayo celebration is complete without great food. To lessen the stress of party planning, be on the lookout for easy ways to add the bold flavors of Mexican cuisine to your party fare. New Sargento Chipotle Cheddar cheese is the perfect ingredient to add a little kick to your recipes with a smoky twist on a familiar flavor.
 Corporate chef for Sargento Foods Inc., Guy Beardsmore, offers a tip for making your Cinco de Mayo celebration a hit with your guests. “Keep it simple when you’re entertaining,” says Beardsmore. “For Cinco de Mayo celebrations, something like a build-your-own taco bar is a really easy way to serve up something fun that your guests can enjoy.”
Always a crowd pleaser, chips with cheese and bean dip are especially appropriate for Cinco de Mayo. Sargento Chipotle Cheddar bolsters the flavor in our version of Mexican Fiesta Dip, and brings authenticity to your bash. For a genuine taste of Mexico, try your hand at Chili Rellenos. This traditional dish is sure to impress your guests, and add plenty of spice to your party line-up.
As the big day nears, keep an eye out for fun and creative ways to enliven your
Cinco de Mayo fiesta. Add to the enjoyment with a few of these tips for bringing the warmth and spirit of Mexico to your get-together:
Use red, white and green décor to celebrate the colors of Mexico.
To decorate the tables sprinkle some
Fiesta Confetti on the serving tables or guest tables add
some
Mini Sombreros and
Fiesta Peppers Candles. Pinatas also make great
centerpieces like a
Sombrero Pinata or
Bull Pinata
Float some
Sombrero Fiesta Balloons or
Fiesta Metallic Balloons tied with
Red Orange or Green Ribbon to this
Sombrero Balloon Weight. Cinco de
Mayo Games and Entertainment - Put on some
Red Hot Salsa Music or
Latin & Ballroom Music then create a fun-filled piñata for children -- and maybe a separate one with goodies for adult guests as well!
History
of Cinco de Mayo
 (the fifth of May) is often
thought to be Mexican Independence Day, but that holiday officially falls on September 16.
Cinco de Mayo celebrates the battle of Puebla in 1862, when a rag-tag, ill-equipped, and
outnumbered Mexican army defeated a force of invading French soldiers. It was
glorious victory and is still a cause for celebration in Mexico and in areas with Hispanic
populations. Mexicans celebrate Cinco de Mayo with mariachi bands, fold
dancing, and lots of food and drink. Some communities stage reenactments of the
battle, and fairs with game sand rides are often set up near the town square.
Large Cinco de Mayo festivals are held in many cities and
states along the U.S. - Mexican border, as well as in Portland, Los Angeles, Chicago, San
Diego, Kansas City, and other cities with significant Hispanic populations. Hundreds of
thousands participate, and many consumer researchers say that Cinco de Mayo is becoming as
popular as St. Patrick's Day.
For years, the celebration focused on Mexican foods and
drink. But recently the Latino and Latinas for Health Justice has begun advocating
for alcohol-free festivities that focus more on parades, art exhibits, and speeches about
the important role that Mexican-Americans have played in shaping the United States.
Please Come to a
Cinco de Mayo Party!
Invite your guests to a red hot
party with confetti filled balloon or chili pepper invitations.
Cinco de Mayo Noisemakers
 Maracas
create a great
sound. Assorted maracas with tinsel streamers are great for any party and will liven
up any video with dazzling colors.
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This Mexican tradition can bring your next
party or celebration alive with excitement.
Salsa Recipe
2-3 large cucumbers (seeds scooped out) chopped up
2 packages Hidden Valley Ranch seasoning (either original or fiesta
ranch)
1 can ro-tel
1/3 cup vinegar
Chopped cilantro
Chili Rellenos
Serves: 6
Ingredients:
6 whole green Anaheim or Poblano chile
peppers
6 slices Sargento Deli Style Sliced Chipotle
Cheddar Cheese
3 tablespoons flour
6 eggs, separated
1 teaspoons salt
1/2 cup vegetable oil
3/4 cup salsa
Directions:
1. Place peppers under broiler,
about 4 inches from heat. Broil just until skins blister. Let
cool in a food storage bag or paper bag for a few minutes.
Peel; remove stems. Cut slit in side of each pepper to remove
seeds. Stuff each pepper with 1 slice of cheese, folded to
fit; roll in flour.
2. Beat egg whites until stiff
but not dry. In another bowl, beat flour and salt with egg
yolks and 1 tablespoon water until thick and lemon colored.
Fold beaten yolk mixture into the egg whites.
3. In
a large skillet, heat 1/2 cup oil over medium heat. For each
rellenos, spoon about 1/2 cup egg batter into the hot skillet.
Spread egg mixture out slightly to make an oval mound. As egg
begins to set, place a filled pepper on top of the egg
mixture. Cover each with 1/2 cup more of the egg mixture.
Continue cooking until bottom is browned. Turn carefully and
brown the other side. Drain on paper towels. Serve with salsa.
Tip: Sargento Chipotle Cheddar Cheese Snacks
can be substituted for the Sargento Deli Style Sliced Chipotle
Cheddar Cheese. Substitute 6 cheese sticks for the 6 slices of
cheese. Courtesy of ARAcontent
Fiesta Posters...
How Hot is Your Chile
Mark Miller
Buy This Art Print At AllPosters.com
Native American
or Southwest prints.
Dancin' Peppers Invitations
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