Friday, May 4, 2012

Cinco de Mayo

You can't grow up in Southern California and not eat Mexican food--or what we call Mexican food. I imagine it's like everyone thinking teriyaki and tempura are staples of Japanese cuisine. That doesn't really matter-- I grew up eating tacos, salsa and guacamole, and later learned how to make chile verde, carne asada and cocido--deliciousness!

If you're looking for something to make for Cinco de Mayo, you might find a recipe here to use. 

I haven't learned how to make a collage that is clickable and will take you directly to the recipe (not yet!), so the links are provided below--beginning with carne asada in the upper left and going clockwise, finishing with the tostada dip in the center--and a couple of dishes I had forgotten--chile verde and flan.




 







And here's a couple more--I can't forget these!


The chile verde can make a tasty optional topping for the vegetarian enchilada casserole if you're serving meat eaters too.

And for dessert, Flan.


Bon appetit or, buen provecho!


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Whenever we have a get-together, it's most likely you'll see any of the above dishes on the menu. The other day we had a family baby shower and part of the menu was chile verde, spanish rice, salsa and guacamole.

 Karen & Mitchell at the dessert table.

Kamryn (of Pear Delight and Santa Rosa Valley Salad fame), made a dessert table for all to enjoy. The chocolate cake is from Porto's, it's the Parisian, and it's so delicious!


The sweetest words to hear when I'm having a get-together are, "Is anyone making decorations? Can we do them?"

That's--seriously--music to my ears.

Kamryn, and my cousins Channie and Reiko made the decorations. 

The centerpieces were adorable. Kamryn loves to decorate like I like to cook. She can cook too, but I cannot decorate.

Kamryn also made a baby bunting, but sadly, I didn't get a photo of it.

Karen got baby tips from the family, here are a few:

"Take lots of pictures--you can never have enough baby pictures."

"Daddy cleans up the barf."

"When the baby cries, she's training the parents. Don't take it personal or get frustrated, just learn."

This tray of mochigashi came from Fugetsu-Do. My favorite manju--"the pink one"--was gone by the time I took this photo. I was too slow! 

Thank you, Tomoko & Brian, for the sweets!

Kamryn made Pear Delight.

She also made these little butterscotch nests made with chow mein noodles and chocolate eggs.

AND she made these cookie flowers--they have a Snicker's bar inside the cookie with marshmallow flowers--on a stick.

Thank you, Kamryn, Chan & Reiko for making the desserts and decorations. As always, you have great ideas that really added a special festiveness to the occasion. I am grateful & appreciate all your hard work! 

Thank you, too, to Rick.

I really appreciate all your hard work, Rick--you always come early to help cook and get ready, and stay late to help with the clean-up--so thoughtful of your momma.

Love you bunches, Rick!


More baby shower pictures in the next post.


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No printable recipe.