What is Cinco de Mayo?

Cinco de Mayo (or May 5), a national holiday in Mexico and drinking holiday in the U.S., celebrates the victory of a small Mexican militia over the French army three times its size and much better equipped for battle. Though not a major victory, the victory at Battle of Puebla was a huge moral victory for Mexico, proving they could defend their country and eventually force the French to withdrawal.

We are happy, of course, because being a border state we have become slaves to their food and Margaritas. Here are a few recipes that you can make this May 5th memorable as we toast the underdogs.

AVOCADO MARGARITAS
(recipe from Curra’s Grill in Austin)

Ingredients:

2 cups crushed ice

6 oz Tequila of your choice

1 avocado, peeled, pitted and sliced

2 oz triple sec

4 oz lime juice

pinch of cilantro

salt

Put ice, tequila, avocado, triple sec, lime juice and cilantro in a blender until smooth. Serve with or without kosher salt on the rim. Yields 4 servings. 

GREEN CHILE RICE
(MMG employee authentic family recipe)

Ingredients:

1 ½ cups cooked rice

2 cups chicken broth

3 whole, fresh roasted green chiles, skinned and chopped OR 1 (4 oz.) can chopped green chiles 

½ teaspoon salt

½ teaspoon garlic salt

½ teaspoon ground pepper

1 ½ cups Monterey Jack Cheese
(can substitute with Pepper Jack Cheese), shredded

1 cup Cheddar Cheese, shredded

1 cup Sour Cream

Mix Monterey Jack cheese, seasoned cooked rice, sour cream and green chile. Lay in 8×10 pan. Add layer of Cheddar Cheese. Sprinkle the top with Paprika. Cover with foil and bake at 350 degrees for 25 minutes. 

Uncover and bake for 5 more minutes. 

Carne Asada 

Ingredients:

5 lb (1 lb per person usually)
of thin sliced Beef Steaks

4 lb  bag of oranges

Chef Merito Carne Asada Seasoning

1 large glass pan to hold/marinate meat in

Outdoor grill

Cut oranges in half then set aside to use later. Take out a slice of steak and place it in the glass pan. Squeeze orange half over one side then shake the steak seasoning over the meat. Flip and then drench the other side with more orange juice and shake the seasoning on it. Take out another slice of steak then repeat the process over the already drenched piece underneath it. Marinate until the all of the meat is in the pan. If you have any orange halves left, squeeze over the meat. If you want extra orange flavor you can grate some of the rind over the meat. Cover and let marinate for 2-4 hours. Grill and enjoy with corn or flour tortillas!