If you're like me, you've just about forgotten what day it is, what month it is, and overall just have no idea what time it actually is. So let this serve as a reminder - it's TACO TIME!
Cinco de Mayo AND Taco Tuesday - the day we have all been training for!
My quarantine bod is ready, how about yours?
"We're all in this together" so let's celebrate together! ... from a social distance, of course.
1. A Quarantine Cantina at tu Casa
The bars are closed but I know your end-of-the-world stocked-up liquor cabinet is open! The obvious liquor choice here is tequila and our tequila beverage choice is a margarita, of course.
Spicy Strawberry Smash Margarita
Sweet & spicy - sign me up! This recipe "serves 4" but you decide what a serving is, we don't judge. This is my version of a deconstructed sour mix in a blender for a quick drink but store bought works too (just omit the seltzer and sugar). Same goes for rimming the glass - use store bought Tajin or follow this simple recipe to make your own!
INGREDIENTS:
1 cup of tequila (BWG choice: Cabo Wabo)
1 cup of crushed ice
2 cups lime flavored seltzer
1/4 cup sugar
1 cup strawberries (fresh or frozen)
1/8 tsp chipotle chili powder
1/8 tsp cayenne pepper powder
1 tbsp Tajin (or combine 2 tsp sea salt with 1/4 tsp chili powder and a squirt of lime juice)
Lime and strawberry wedges for garnish
MAKE IT:
- Rim a chilled margarita glass with the spicy Tajin mixture
- Throw all the ingredients into a blended
- Pour into the rimmed glass
- Salud!
2. Have a taco eating competition with your quarantine companions!
Live alone? Great - you win! Tacos come in all kinds of shapes, sizes and flavors these days. You got your chicken tacos, beef tacos, fish tacos, veggie tacos, tofu tacos, taco tacos - so why not try them all?!
3. Quarantine cooking - Mexican style
The obvious entree choice here is tacos so here are a few of BWG's favorite, yet simple, sides.
*disclaimer* - I do NOT like Cilantro so I do not include it in any of my recipes. However, it is a very common ingredient in Mexican cooking so feel free to incorporate wherever your taste buds desire!
Pineapple Salsa
INGREDIENTS:
1/2 of a pineapple, diced
1/4 red onion, diced
4 large radishes, diced
1 clove garlic, minced
1/2 jalapeno, diced
3 scallions, finely chopped
1 tbsp freshly squeezed lime juice
1 tsp fresh lime zest
Salt to taste
MAKE IT:
- Slice pineapple in half lengthwise
- Scoop out the inside of 1 half - set the other half aside or use it to make a double batch
- Dice, mince, chop, zest and juice all ingredients
- Combine everything in bowl and mix together
- Sprinkle with a pinch of salt to taste
- Stuff the salsa back into the hallowed out pineapple half
- Serve with tortilla chips and enjoy!
Grilled Street Corn
INGREDIENTS:
6 ears of corn, shucked
1/2 cup mayonnaise
1 clove garlic, minced
1 tsp chili powder
1 tbsp cayenne pepper
1 cup Cotija cheese, crumbled
2 tbsp green onions, chopped
1 lime
MAKE IT:
- Grill the corn until it is charred (not burnt) on all sides
- While the corn is cooking - mix the mayonnaise, garlic,1/2 tsp chili powder and 1/2 tbsp of cayenne together
- Remove the corn from the grill and coat completely with the mayonnaise mixture
- Roll the cobs in the crumbled cheese
- Dust with the remaining chili and cayenne powders
- Drizzle with lime juice
- Sprinkle with green onions
4. Take-out Tuesday
Don't feel like cooking? Order take-out from your favorite local Mexican restaurant! Cinco de Mayo is HUGE for these places so help them out by taking advantage of their contactless curbside pick-up and delivery options!
VIDA CANTINA
2456 Lafayette Road Portsmouth, NH
Call ahead for pick up:
603-501-0648
Order online: https://www.vidacantinanh.com/order-online
GRANDE MEXICO
108 Plaistow Rd. Haverhill, MA
Call ahead for pick up:
Menu:
Open all day!
CAFE AZTECA
180 Common Street Lawrence, MA
Call ahead for pick up:
Menu:
PLAZA AZTECA
552 Broadway Methuen,MA
Call ahead for pick up:
Menu:
5. Taco Tour
Okay, so not an at home festivity but it's our favorite annual Cinco de Mayo tradition! The Taco Tour in downtown Manchester, NH draws thousands of hungry people every year and packs Elm Street end to end. Each restaurant serves up their own taco takes for only $2 each! Rest easy, this is set to be rescheduled so stay tuned! Date TBD.
buen provecho!
