When we hear Cinco de Mayo, we think "fiesta." Fiestas and Cinco de Mayo parties are great fun, but what would a party be without food. Take some of the following suggestions to help you create a Cinco de Mayo party menu that will keep your fiesta going way into the night.
Instructions
1. Plan your party menu for the approximate amount of guests that you are expecting and then add portions for about 25 per cent more. You never want to run out of food and drinks.
2. Serve buffet style and you can't go wrong with your Cinco de Mayo party menu. Set up serving stations scattered about the room, so there will not be a long line or pile up anywhere.
3. Start with your appetizer and salsa bar. This should, of course, include chips and salsa, but really make it stand out. Have a variety of tortilla chips, blue corn chips and even vegetable chips. Compliment these with your salsa selections. Have the tried and true salsas, but be sure to include varieties such as mango salsa, chipotle salsa, green and red pepper salsa, black bean salsa and maybe even a peach salsa. Fresh guacamole is a must and make sure that you have lots of it. Salsa, chips and guacamole will be "the meal" for some of your guests, so make sure that your salsa bar is replenished frequently.
4. Make your main dish station really inviting. Have all the fixings for fajitas, including beef, chicken and shrimp. Include the hot soft tortillas, with sides of grilled peppers and onions, black and refried beans, rice and shredded cheese. Take it further with varieties of enchiladas, burritos, quesadillas and chile rellenos. It never hurts to have grilled vegetables and potatoes to expand the meal. Be sure to have salsa available at this station as well. Have Mexican condiments scattered around in this area such as jalapeno peppers, onions and marinated vegetable relishes.
5. Play with your dessert station to make it rich and over the top yummy. You have to have flan, which is a staple at Mexican meals. Also, be sure to have hot sopapillas with butter and honey. You might even try fried bananas or cinnamon covered churros.
6. Pull out all the stops with your drink station. You can either have a bar tender making margaritas or rent a margarita machine for the evening. Have the traditional margaritas, but don't be afraid to try some new flavors such as mango margaritas or pineapple-chile margaritas. Also, you have to have a good selection of Mexican Cervezas or beer. If you like, have some Mexican wine or Sangria. If you're brave and a real party animal, be prepared to serve tequila shots.
Tags: Cinco Mayo, with your, party menu, have have, make sure
