Fiesta Essentials

Fiesta Essentials: Hand Drawn Poster by B.Nute productions

Cinco de Mayo may be over, but Fiesta season is just beginning! When the weather is warm, there's nothing like a good old fashioned fiesta. The foods, the drinks, the music, and even the games seem to always be crowd pleasers. Whip up a big taco salad or create a burrito bar for your party and don't forget the blender. There's nothing like a cold margarita on a hot afternoon to get things going.

Here is a round up of more fiesta ideas (including free printables):

• Fish Taco Fiesta
• Printable Fiesta Toppers or Drink ID's
• Loteria Printable Tags
• Printable Papel Picado Mini Banner

Enjoy!

Fish Taco Fiesta!

Cinco de Mayo has passed, but that doesn't mean you can't still have a fiesta! Whether it's Cinco de Mayo or not, any time of year is time for Mexican food!

One of my favorite recipes is fish tacos. It's so easy, and so good. It's also a dish that I love when the weather starts getting warmer... it tastes fresh and light, which is not always the case with Mexican food.

So, whether your throwing a fiesta, or just want to have Mexican food for dinner, enjoy this easy fish taco recipe:

Betsy's Fish Tacos
1. Pan fry Tilapia (or another light fish) with a little olive oil, dash of cumin, and 1T lime juice. (I make approximately 1 filet per person)
2. Cut up tomatoes and avocados to bite size pieces.
3. Mix 1/2 cup light sour cream with 1T lime juice and cumin. Season more to taste. (You can cheat here and instead of cumin, just sprinkle in taco seasoning.)
4. Spray corn tortillas with an olive oil spray, or dab with olive oil, put on a cookie sheet and broil until they are slightly baked (not too crispy). Bake enough tortillas for between 2-3 per person.
5. Assemble fish tacos:

• tortilla
• shredded Mexican cheese
• cooked tilapia
• cabbage (pre-shredded cabbage for coleslaw works great!)
• tomatoes and avocado pieces
• dollop of sour cream mixture
• if desired, sprinkle a little cilantro for extra zing!
  

6. Eat up! YUM!!

Also, if you like the pics in this write up, and are planning on having a fiesta, be sure to check out bnute productions' Fiesta Party Kit for more details.

It's Fiesta Day!

Happy Cinco de Mayo!! I love this “holiday”... I know it’s a heavily Americanized holiday-- and possibly in Mexico they don’t celebrate it nearly as much as our Budweiser inspired society, but I still like the day. In fact, I think a Fiesta at any time of year is just a GOOD IDEA! Why, you ask?

First, I love Mexican food. I could live on chips and salsa (this is not necessarily a good thing...). Tostadas, tacos, tamales, you name it, I love it. I particularly love a good taco salad. My mom always made it growing up, and I’m keeping that tradition by making it for my family too.

Second, I love the folk art of Mexican paper cutting called papel picado. You know what it is... those festive paper flags, cut in all types of shapes. I definitely don’t think those have to be reserved for a fiesta... any time of year they look great!

Lastly, who stays away from a good pinata contest? I know, I know, it’s a bit creepy when someone picks out the head of their favorite character (say, a princess, or Barbie, or animal), and starts WHACKING at it. I say, stick with the symbols... a star, a number, or something that’s brightly colored, fill it with all sorts of goodies and have fun! At your next adult fiesta, try filling the pinata with adult-only trinkets... how ‘bout airline sized plastic liquor bottles, some starbucks gift cards, a little bottle of lotion (plastic, again)-- anything small is great!

Hope you had a great cinco de mayo... filled with chips, salsa and a pinata!