Cinco de Mayo Fiesta

This menu of Mexican favorites packs plenty of flavor for a lively fiesta. 

Taqueria Style Tacos--Carne Asada: Marinated steak is served in corn tortillas and topped with onion cilantro relish and homemade salsa.

Notes:

• Prep everything the day before. Cook the meat at party time.
• Always protect your hands with rubber or latex gloves when handling peppers.
• Sauté sliced peppers and onions to fill vegetarian tacos.
• Serve tacos with rice, beans, and all the other fixin's (salsa, guacamole, sour cream, etc.) that make for a delicious a taco bar.
• Invest in tortilla warmers---you can find plastic warmers at very reasonable prices.

Chicken Enchiladas I: Flour tortillas, chicken, and a creamy, cheesy tomato sauce are literally all rolled into one.

Note: This dish can be prepared earlier in the day and refrigerated (or frozen in advance--thaw overnight). Wait to cover enchiladas with taco sauce and Cheddar cheese until right before baking.

Churros: Mexican fritters are a sweet end to a spicy meal.

Note: Churros can be made the day before and stored in an airtight container.

Parker's Famous Margaritas: This recipe uses fresh lime juice for a refreshing, south-of-the-border flavor.

Note: Prepare a big pitcher of margarita mix ahead of time but don’t shake batches with ice until just before serving.

Spring is at its best in May, so take the party outside! Hang colorful strings of mini-lantern lights and enhance the evening glow with a scattering of tea lights.

Set up a table for the taco bar and enchiladas with a separate area for margaritas. And for those who don’t remember tequila fondly, mix a pitcher of sangria and put some Mexican beer on ice. Set chips, salsa, and guacamole trios in a few hot spots around the party, and serve churros with pieces of parchment paper wrapped around each base.

As for the fun and games…hang a piñata and let each guest take a swing at it with a stick or plastic bat. Everyone gets a blindfold and three attempts--the guest with the winning blow gets a bottle of tequila and two shot glasses to take home.