cinco de mayo favorites

I LOVE Cinco de Mayo! I love Mexican food for entertaining – its so easy and fun and casual.

Not to mention, I am kind-of well know for making an amazing margarita. Here is my super-dooper secret recipe. You will LOVE it!

Easy Frozen Margarita

1 can frozen limeaid
1/2 can triple sec
1/2 – 1 can tequila

Blend with ice. Serve in glass rimmed with salt. Designate a driver.

Some of my Cinco de Mayo staples?

cincodemayo

These are the best black beans. My kids love these. We use them as a side dish or to make tacos! Although, carne asada tacos or carnitas are always a good option. For something a little more gourmet, try Cornmeal Crusted Tilapia with Salsa (amazing!!).
What are you making for Cinco de Mayo? This year I’m thinking I will try fish tacos! Don’t these look yummy?
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chicken and barley soup

I made this the other day and my family did everything but lick the bowl. Its easy, quick and very yummy!!

Chicken & Barley Soup

chicken and barley soup1 tablespoon extra-virgin olive oil
4 carrots, diced small
4 celery stalks, diced small
1 medium yellow onion, diced small
2 cups shredded chicken
Coarse salt and ground pepper
8 cups low-sodium chicken broth
5 sprigs thyme (if you have it)
1½ cup barley

Directions
In a large Dutch oven, heat oil over medium-high. Add carrots, celery, and onion. Cook until just tender, about 8 minutes. Add chicken and season generously with salt and pepper.
Add broth and thyme and bring to a boil. Stir in barley. Cover, reduce heat, and simmer until barley is tender, about 30 minutes.
If desired, (I prefer this, but the kids don’t) add several handfuls of baby spinach and cook until wilted, 1 minute. Season to taste with salt and pepper and serve.
adapted from Everyday Food

game day menu

Superbowl Sunday!!! What a fun and exciting afternoon, and with a such a good excuse to have a big party and lots of fun how could someone involve themselves in this joyous occasion. Nothing like noshing down on buffalo wings, hoagies, pizza, chips… now I’m getting hungry.

Stressing about food? Not a problem – here are some fun and easy foods that will be at my party this year!

Chili is a no-brainer. And so easy to serve to a crowd! Make a huge batch and keep it in the crockpot on low. Add toppings like sour cream, shredded cheese, bacon crumbles and chopped green onions and you’re good to go! Everyone can make their own bowl when they get hungry and you can enjoy the game instead of slaving in front of the stove!

game-day-chili

Guacamole – if you’ve never made it yourself, give it a try! You’ll be amazed at how easy it is! Its a great compliment to the chili!

guacamole

This Jalapeno Popper Dip is gluten-free and you can make it in advance too! Just pop it in the oven when you’re ready to party.

Jalapeño-Popper-Dip2

Don’t forget — Superbowl parties often involve finger foods, people sharing dishes like salsa and dips and food sitting at room temperature for long period of time. FoodSafety.gov highlights four simple steps to food safety: Clean, Separate, Cook, Chill. These basic actions include cleaning the food well, keeping potential contaminates separated, cooking meats thoroughly and chilling uneaten portions. You don’t want your guests to miss the end of the game because they’re sick, right?

 

 

grilled tandoori-style chicken thighs

tandoori chicken

This takes inexpensive chicken thighs and turns them into an easy feast! Grilled Tandoori-Style Chicken Thighs 1½ tbs ground cumin 1½ tsp curry powder1½ tsp kosher salt 1 tsp garlic powder ½ tsp ground ginger ¼ tsp cayenne pepper 2 tbs vegetable or canola oil 3 tbs red wine vinegar ½ cup plain yogurt (regular or [...]

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Gluten Free Holidays

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I’ve discovered that while I am by no means gluten-intolerant, I feel so much better when I eat gluten-free, or at least minimize gluten in my diet. But its really a struggle for me – not eating dairy or nuts, taking out gluten too seems like I am going to run out of things to [...]

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Slow-Cooker Pork Carnitas

carnitastacos

I headed to Costco this week to pick up some sirloin tip roast, that is on sale for only $1.99/pound. A full shopping cart later (seriously, Costco needs a warning label on the door) I came home and now have a stocked freezer and I’m ready to go for meals this month! The sirloin tip [...]

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pork makes a party easy *GIVEAWAY*

I am thrilled to be partnering with the National Pork Board this year in honor of National Pork Month. (Didn’t know pork has it’s own month? Today is also National Kick Butt Day, in case you were wondering.) To celebrate October as National Pork Month, Costco is offering discounts on top pork cuts from chops [...]

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try this: pork chops with rose romano’s peppers

roseromanoscase

Just last week, I got a lovely package in the mail containing four jars of Rose Romano’s Italian Peppers, so I planned my meals this week using them! As a busy working mom, with three kids involved in way too many activities, one of my biggest challenges is getting a healthy, yummy dinner on the [...]

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“glad” for back to school lunchtime!

making lunches

Its the first week of school. (Didn’t we just do this?) Time to get back into the swing of things making lunches for everyone every night. Last year, I decided that our lunches were not only boring, but wasteful. My kids like lunches with lots of variety. But that meant a small bag of grapes, [...]

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detox salad

detox salad

I often make this on Monday and eat it for lunch all week. Its so good and so fresh – high in protein and fiber – and its gluten free to boot, for those of you who are! Detox Salad Salad: 1/2 cup dry quinoa, cooked and drained 1 can chickpeas, rinced 1 English cucumber, [...]

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