For those of you celebrating Cinco de Mayo, please know this is not Mexican Independence Day. However, that shouldn’t stop you from celebrating, having fun and partaking in some delicious food and cocktails. Cinco de Mayo celebrates the victory over France in the Battle of Puebla. While the holiday is celebrated in Mexico, it seems to be a bigger celebration here in the U.S.
As a mom, gone are the days of celebrating at bars and taking in all the drink and food specials (at least for now)! While the holiday is certainly associated with drinking margaritas, having cervezas and doing some tequila shots, it’s an opportunity for me to teach my daughter a little more about her heritage by celebrating our culture.
So what are our plans this Cinco de Mayo? Like most people, we’ll have some great food…only we’ll be at home celebrating with the kids. 
Here are some kid-approved Cinco de Mayo meal ideas:
Quesadillas. Easy to make, just melt cheese in between 2 tortillas. You can add chicken or steak, some veggies and top with sour cream and guacamole.
Burrito Bowls. Simply layer a bowl with rice, beans, any protein and top with lettuce, tomatoes, cheese and sour cream.
Nachos. If I’m in a hurry, I pick up a rotisserie chicken at a supermarket. First I shred the chicken. Then I spread tortilla chips on a plate, pile on the chicken, add whole cooked (canned) pinto beans, layer on the veggies and top with lettuce and cheese.
Here are two of my favorite recipes that are quick and are perfect for a stay at home fiesta this Cinco de Mayo.
Tostadas de Pescado (Fish Tostadas)
- 1 small tomato diced
- 1 small onion chopped
- 2 gloves of garlic chopped
- fresh cilantro to taste
- 1 lime
Mix cilantro, tomato and juice of the lime in a bowl.
Heat 1 tbsp of olive oil in a pan. Add onion and garlic. Cook for 3-4 minutes (this is a personal preference) you can certainly add the raw onion to the tomato and cilantro during step 1.
Once onion is cooked to your liking, add to the bowl and mix. Add salt and pepper to taste.
For the fish you will need:
2 fish filets (this recipe will serve 2-4 people)
1 tbsp of butter
salt and pepper
Heat butter in a pan. Add fish filets and cook until done. Usually 4-5 min per side. Once done, place filets on a plate and flake with a fork.
Add fish to the bowl of tomato, onion, cilantro and mix.
Add more lime , salt and pepper to taste.
Preparing the tostadas:
You can buy the tostadas at any grocery store.
Place tostada on a plate. Spread a thin layer of mayonnaise (yes mayo…trust me, it’s delicious) on the tostada.
Top with fish mixture.
Add a few slices of avocado and top with cilantro.
A perfect side for this is my quick (non-grill) version of Mexican Street Corn.
- 3 ears of corn
- 1tbsp of butter
- 1 tbsp Mexican Crema or mayonnaise
- 1/2 tsp chili powder
- 1/2 tsp cayenne pepper
- 1 lime
- 1/4 cup fresh cilantro
- Salt and pepper to taste
- Cotija cheese
Remove kernels from the corn. Heat butter in a pan/skillet.
Cook corn for 5 min. Add cayenne pepper, chili powder and mayonnaise to corn and mix. Cook another 3-4 minutes. Turn off the heat and add cilantro and juice from the lime. Mix well.
Place in a bowl and top with crumbled cheese.
Enjoy both together along with some of your favorite Mexican refreshments.
