Instead of heading to the bar, why not plan your own Cinco de Mayo blowout? It is a great excuse to indulge in delicious Mexican food, dress in colorful clothing and enjoy your favorite Mexican beverages. By planning your own party, you are in total control of the menu, the decorations, the entertainment, and the guest list.

Take extra care with your menu. If you cannot or do not want to do all the cooking, ask your guests to bring dishes for a potluck meal. They all have to be Mexican recipes, though! If you have the cash, you could also have the event catered. Go for some tried and true recipes and some that are exotic. Plan on dishes like tacos, tamales, quesadillas, and refried beans. Make it really simple and set up a salsa or taco bar. Remember to provide enough to drink for everyone. If you are supplying alcohol, take a look at the Mexican beers your local shops have to offer. Margaritas are also a great choice. Do not forget to provide a non-alcoholic beverage for those who wish to remain clear-headed. You can stick with the Mexican theme by providing agua fresco or horchata, which are suitable for guests of all ages.

When Mexican food is brought up, most people think of beef, chicken, or pork, not seafood. If you think about it though, Mexico has six thousand miles of coastline. With all that oceanfront property, seafood has got to be a big part of their menu. Mexico is situated between the Pacific Ocean and the Atlantic Ocean. The Gulf of Mexico also provides a good fishing spot. The amount of seafood caught in Mexico every year is substantial.

Ceviche is a very popular seafood dish from Mexico. Made with small pieces of raw fish, squid, or shrimp, the recipe includes onion, peppers, salt, and cilantro. The fish is “cooked” with lemon or limejuice. The citric acid in the juice changes the proteins in the fish just like cooking. Even so, some ingredients will be cooked for safety purposes. You can enjoy ceviche on its own or used as filling for a taco. It is also wonderful on crackers or tostadas.

Seafood can also be simmered in the Veracruzana style. This is a sauce preparation made with tomatoes, chilies, olives, and capers. The resulting dish is both tangy and spicy. This sauce is often prepared with red snapper or shrimp. Veracruz and its surrounding region are well known for this and many other seafood dishes.