Celebrating Cinco de Mayo Americano …Just Because

Dear ones….Cinco de Mayo is just a few days away…Cinco de Mayo may not be known to everyone…and *USA Today summed it up real well!  *”For many Americans, Cinco de Mayo means enjoying Mexican food and probably a few margaritas as well.  But Cinco de Mayo, which means May 5 in Spanish, is probably one of the most misunderstood Mexican holidays.  This day is not Mexico’s Independence day. Mexican independence is celebrated on Sept.16.  Cinco de Mayo commemorates the Mexican army’s unlikely victory over the French forces of Napoleon III on May 5, 1862, at the Battle of Puebla.  Mexico had troubles paying back war debts to European countries, and France had come to Mexico to collect that debt.  Ironically, today Cinco de Mayo has become more of an American holiday than a Mexican one.”

I really enjoy smaller dinner parties….like 4 people, and the Captain and I will be entertaining two very good friends who just happen to love Mexican (or Tex-Mex) food as much as we do.  After living in New Mexico for so many years, I crave roasting green chiles, plucking dried red chiles from a Ristra hanging at my door and making Pinto beans an almost daily dish.   (I do order Hatch green chilies and Ristras direct from New Mexico.)  However, my menu calls for simplicity and something cooling so I am making a Taco Salad….very simple.  Perhaps you remember this recipe for taco salad….Super Bowl 49 and Help Yourself Taco Salad…the recipe is the link,…I love serving it in my large Blue enameled cast iron Brazier Pan…so colorful.  This tablescape is really simple and I am using my 20 place setting of Fiesta dishes.  For years I have used these Fiesta dishes from Homer Laughlin as my everyday dishes and have only recently retired them to my dish pantry….as I decided my everyday dishes should be white.

My Mexican Fiesta Dishes:

These sturdy plates and cups have survived children and grandchildren and yet they live on in my cabinet, dishwasher and daily use.  Some colors of my collection are no longer made, but they have not gotten preferential treatment in my kitchen. 

Years ago, I used this plate stand next to my gas stove top …and yes, my Fiesta dishes were readily available to me.

My collection includes vintage Fiesta glasses, cups and flatware.  They no longer manufacture the glasses, I am fortunate to have the originals.  Although the manufacturer of Fiesta ware today provides a matching flatware….the flatware I have is no longer produced. However, for this Cinco de Mayo meal, I will be using glassware that I purchased many years ago on a trip to Mexico (while living in New Mexico)….along with a serape-type tablecloth.  The cactus centerpiece is metal and also very old.  I am also using a colorful chip and dip tray for the beginning of the meal…sort of appetizers consisting of blue corn chips, Doritos and guacamole, salsa and Queso. The dips will be served in avocado and chile-pepper shaped bowls. I like to use a mix and match for the plates, flatware, and napkins …by using the same 4 colors.  Orange, lime green, yellow, turquoise.

The cute little sombrero tortillas warmers I found in Mexico many years ago and I use a Mexican fringed napkin to help keep the tortillas warm.   I also found the colorful donkey Pinata in New Mexico at a tourist shop. (see below)  I just loved his colors and although he is filled with candy…we most likely will never break him open.

I like anything Mexican and I used these salsa sauce cans as small vases. I added a little Spanish moss and a faux colorful flower. Aren’t these simple and cute? (you can find the sauces at Wal-Mart and other supermarkets)

Are you celebrating Cinco de Mayo this year?  Perhaps a Taco Tuesday or an Enchilada Casserole.  I have a lot of Mexican recipes in my recipe section of this blog.  We lived in New Mexico for about 10 years and I loved it …and I learned a lot of Mexican recipes…we still have family there that we visit from time to time.  So…Yes, I do love Mexican food and so does my Captain!  And I love celebrating Cinco de Mayo…even if it is more Americano than Mexican!

• 1 Corinthians 5:8: “Let us therefore celebrate the festival, not with the old leaven, the leaven of malice and evil, but with the unleavened bread of sincerity and truth” (ESV).

Blessings Always