It's Cinco de Mayo Time!

It's Cinco de Mayo Time!

This holiday is really big in Los Angeles.  A wonderful celebration of Mexican heritage and pride, marking the victory over the French in the Battle of Puebla.  Just around the corner it land this year on Monday, May 5th.  The poster above is from 1901 in honor of the victory.  

So what better way to celebrate than with food?  I can't think of anything.  Of course in Los Angeles, we can go down to Olvera Street, which is located in the oldest part of Downtown, Los Angeles.  This area was established by Spanish settlers back in 1781 and today the area is a modern Mexican-style marketplace with vendors and restaurants to enjoy the culture that abounds.  

And the food is to die for...!

So today, I've gathered some of my favorite Mexican dishes that would be perfect for your Cinco de Mayo celebration!  Since today is Derby Day, we'll be celebrating fiesta style on Sunday.  Great for a lazy afternoon full of food, fun and margaritas!

Twisted Tacos - 

Baked Tacos


Chicken Verde Tacos


Tex-Mex Soft Tacos


Fresh Quesadillas - 


Chicken Quesadilla Grande

Cinco Party Dishes - 

Black Bean Tostadas


Baked Chicken Taquitos


Black Bean Burritos


Beth's Favorite Chicken Enchiladas


Latin Empanadas


Cilantro Lime Flank Steak with Avocado Poblano Salsa

Grab Some Tortilla Chips - 

Chunky Guacamole


Black Bean Salsa

Bonita Dessert - 

Mexican Chocolate Pudding

I hope your celebration is Muy Bueno!!

Derby Day Celebration Menu Ideas

It’s "run for the roses" time at the Kentucky Derby.  Each year the first Saturday in May marks the Kentucky Derby.  My family has always been great horse racing fans, and I’ve grown up loving the sport myself.  The excitement from the race is so palpable it makes my heart flutter thinking about it.

We are so lucky to live near several race tracks so that we can go as often as we like. Why, not long ago we spent a wonderful sunny day at the races and had a grand ole’ time! We even saw some women in big hats…which were a little out of place since this wasn't at Churchill Downs.  But it was fun to see as they got into the spirit of things.

Each year we watch the big race, called the fasted 2 minutes in sports.  So true, but also just so exciting.  My mom was a big horse race fan, following the horses and their trainers.  Me? I just like to watch and see if I can pick a winner. 

But we also like to have a little get together and have some good food.  So I thought I would share some of my favorite recipes for Derby Day that are around the internet.  Each is perfect for the celebration and pretty easy to make. 

Here’s what we have:

A classic sandwich created in Louisville Kentucky at the Brown Hotel, in the roaring 20’s as a late night ‘after party’ snack.

Come try this winner of a sandwich for Derby Day!

-           Cooking Light's - The Classic Hot Brown

A spin on a traditional southern drink the Mint Julep, try a variation for the great race!

-           Coastal Living's – Mint Julep Iced Tea

The best way to end Derby Day?  With some sweets.  Serve a rich and creamy pie that’s packed with pecans, chocolate and let’s not forget the bourbon!  Easy to put together using a pre-packaged pie crust.  You’ll love this recipe!

-           Southern Living's – Chocolate-Bourbon Pecan Pie

Enjoy the fastest 2 minutes on sports with a great meal.  For a perfect side dish try this.

-           Southern Living's – Spring-on-a-Plate Salads

For extra main courses try:

Ham and Biscuit sandwiches with mustard blends - just search for my buttermilk biscuits and slice some country ham or deli ham.  They make wonderful sandwiches!

Enjoy your Derby Day!

Note: All pictures curtesy of MyRecipes.com

Oatmeal Brown Sugar Pancakes with Banana Walnut Syrup

Hope you all had a wonderful Easter! Ours was just perfect. Actually relaxing since I planned a meal that had dishes that were easily made in the oven. Love that!

It's breakfast time again. Looking forward to my weekend breakfast ahead, and I'm craving pancakes. How about you?

Let's take ordinary all purpose mix and amp it up a couple notches. I recently bought King Arthur Flour's All Purpose Baking Mix (which is a buttermilk pancake mix) and decided to make pancakes with a little snazzy variation. Just by adding some oatmeal and a spoonful of brown sugar to the mix, you have a wonderfully flavored pancake. Now, you can use any brand of all purpose mix, or pancake mix you like. Or, use my Oatmeal Pancakes as a base and just add in the additional brown sugar.

These pancakes were so tender, I couldn't believe it. I would say that oatmeal pancakes are some of the best I've had. They literally melt in your mouth.

Now let's talk syrup. Sure you can just heat up your plain old Maple Syrup. It's perfect as it is! But lets try something and make it just a little bit better. Heat it on the stove and add some walnuts, toasted in butter, along with sliced bananas. Man oh man! This stuff is good!

These simple change take an ordinary pancake to an extraordinary one!


Oatmeal Brown Sugar Pancakes with Banana Walnut Syrup

serves 6

For the Syrup:
2 tablespoons butter or margarine
1/4 cup chopped walnuts
2 bananas, sliced
1 cup maple-flavored syrup

For the Pancakes:
2 cups All Purpose Baking Mix (such as King Arthur Flour's) 

1/2 cup quick-cooking oatmeal
2 tablespoons brown sugar
1 1/4 cups 2% milk
2 eggs

In a medium saucepan, melt butter over medium heat. Add walnuts and cook until walnuts begin to toast.   Add bananas; stir to coat with butter. Add the syrup and reduce the heat to low.  Cook until warm, keeping syrup warm until ready to serve.  

In medium bowl, add all purpose baking mix, oatmeal, brown sugar, milk and eggs.  Whisk until blended. Pour about 1/4 cup of batter onto a heated griddle.  Cook until edges are dry and bubbles form on top. Turn and cook the other side until done.  Serve with warm syrup, walnut and banana over top.  

adapted from Betty Crocker's Cook Book