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A Cinco de Mayo Celebration!

Our family is all about parties.  We love any opportunity to get together for food and fun.  Cinco de Mayo is one of our favorite holiday gatherings.  The menu always includes my mother's famous enchiladas, homemade tamales, a pot of simmering beans, tacos, tortillas, fresh salsas, homemade guacamole, and tres leches cake.  Today, I am sharing with you my contribution to our celebration.  Come join the party!
Let's start with a fabulous, easy corn salsa.  I like to mix this in a large Mason jar.  Great for taking on picnics.  I could eat a whole jar of this!

The starting line-up for Corn Salsa:
1 and 1/2 cups of plum tomatoes, seeded and chopped
1 cup whole kernal corn, canned, frozen, or for a real treat, grilled fresh corn
1/4 cup finely chopped purple onion
1-2 jalapeno peppers, seeded and minced
1 clove of garlic, minced
2 tablespoons fresh lime juice
Salt and pepper to taste
Tortilla chips
 Combine the first 5 ingredients and season with salt and pepper to taste.  Isn't that pretty?
 Mix and and chill until ready to serve.  Serve with tortilla scoops.
Next is a tasty Mexican layered salad.  I found this recipe years ago in a Southern Living Cooking Light cookbook.

The starting line-up for Mexican Layered Salad:
1 (9 ounce) box Jiffy cornbread mix
1 (4.5 ounce) can chopped green chiles
1/2 cup light mayonnaise
1/2 cup chopped fresh cilantro
1/4 cup fresh lime juice
1 teaspoon ground cumin
1/2 teaspoon salt
1 head iceberg lettuce, shredded
1 (15 ounce) can black beans, rinsed and drained
1 (11 ounce) can whole kernel corn, drained
1 (8 ounce) package of reduced fat shredded Cheddar cheese or Mexican mix
3 green onions, chopped
6 plum tomatoes, chopped
     (Don't know how that purple onion and garlic ended up in the picture...this recipe does not use either!)

Prepare cornbread mix according to the package direction, adding chiles to the mixture.  Bake, cool, crumble and set aside.  In a small chopper or mixer, process mayonnaise, cilantro, lime juice, cumin, and salt until smooth.  I love cilantro!
Now lets begin layering our salad.  Layer a 4 quart trifle bowl with half shredded lettuce, half of crumbled cornbread, and then drizzle on half of the mayo mixture.  Next layer half each of the black beans, corn, shredded cheese, green onions and tomatoes.  Repeat the layers.  Cover and chill 1 to 2 hours before serving.

My last contribution to today's party is a simple Tres Leches cake.  I became quite an expert at this cake while my youngest son was taking Spanish.  It was requested at every event! 

The starting line-up for Easy Tres Leches Cake
1 box yellow cake mix
1 (14 ounce) can sweetened condensed milk
1 (12 ounce) can evaporated milk
1 pint whipping cream
1 large container of cool whip
Prepare the cake mix according to box directions.  Bake and let cool.  Meanwhile, mix together the ingredients that makes this cake a "tres leches" or three milk cake:  condensed milk, evaporated milk, and whipping cream. 
After cooling, poke LOTS of holes in the cake.  The more holes, the more that yummy, creamy deliciousness will soak into the cake.  Pour the contents of the milk mixture slowly over the cake. Don't worry, all of this additional milk will soak into the cake quickly.
Place in the refrigerator.  Prior to serving, cover with Cool Whip. You can also whip up whipping cream and sugar to top this cake, but I find that we like the lighter taste of Cool Whip on this particular cake.  Enjoy this cake dripping in tres leches!
I hope you try one or all of these recipes at your next Mexican fiesta.   Let me know what you think!
Happy Cinco de Mayo from Still Woods Farmhouse!
Sharing with these terrific blogs!
 Marvelous Mondays
Let's Dish
One Project At A Time
Time Travel Thursday
Fill Your Cup Thursday
Foodie Friday
A Favorite Thing



Comments

  1. Good Evening to you, I keep reading about Cinco De Mayo and I really have no idea what this is all about, apart from the fact that you mentioned that it was connected to Mexican dishes.
    I love the corn salsa you made and also the Mexican layered salad looks really appetising. I have never eaten corn bread so I will have to find a substitute. Your cake looks absolutely delicious. I think my family would be truly satisfied if I made these dishes as part of a bar-b-que in the summer time.
    Thank you for the recipes I am looking forward to trying them when our weather warms up.
    Best wishes
    Daphne

    ReplyDelete
    Replies
    1. Hi Daphne! Thanks for dropping by. Cinco de Mayo literally means the 5th of May and commemorates the Mexican army's 1862 victory over France at the Battle of Puebla during the Franco-Mexican War. My dad's family is from San Antonio and with the large Hispanic influence there, Cinco de Mayo is a much celebrated event. These dishes are for anytime of the year, and they would make a nice addition to any summer bar-b-que. Roast a few ears of corn and use instead of the canned corn for both the salad and the salsa. They will add so much flavor. Happy cooking!

      Delete
  2. I love your table the colors are so vibrant. Looks like a wonderful fiesta!
    The food looks good too!
    Thanks for linking to Let's Dish, we love seeing pretty tables like yours!

    ReplyDelete
    Replies
    1. Hi Kathleen,
      Thanks for hosting again this week. I am enjoying linking to your fabulous Let's Dish party. I see so many things I want to try!
      Blessings from Still Woods Farmhouse

      Delete
  3. The layered salad looks amazing and I will soon try it, for sure! I love Tres Leches and I know how to make it too with a cake from scratch...I love the easy way, and with the Lechera too, lol!
    Happy Mother's Day! I found you at Let's Dish and became your newest follower...hope you like to follow back.
    FABBY

    ReplyDelete
    Replies
    1. Thank you so much for stopping by and following along. I am headed over to your blog to do the same. The layered salad is yummy! I love cilantro, so sometimes I add more than what I listed in the recipe. Let me know what you think if you get a chance to try it!
      Blessings from Still Woods

      Delete
  4. I just noticed in your photo of the ingredients that you have 3 eggs..are they for something? I ask because here in Ecuador, we cover the 3 Leches cake with whipped egg-whites with a little sugar. Thanks.
    FABBY

    ReplyDelete
    Replies
    1. Hi Fabby,
      The eggs are for the cake. I usually display all the ingredients when I take a picture. I am a visual person! I use Cool Whip or whipping cream for the topping.
      Blessings from Still Woods Farmhouse

      Delete
    2. Ok, hon..I got it, it's for the box cake, lol.. Thanks so much for everything, specially for following me, you are so sweet! In your profile I see you like everything I do too..how wonderful!
      Blessings for this Mom's Day!
      FABBY

      Delete
  5. Yummy looking menu...can't wait to try the corn salsa!
    Happy Mother's Day...

    ReplyDelete
    Replies
    1. Sorry for the late reply. I was having blog troubles. Thank you for stopping by! Have you tried the corn salsa yet? I can just sit and eat every bit of it!
      Blessings from Still Woods Farmhouse

      Delete
  6. You've created an amazing celebration. Your table is beautifully designed. Thanks for inviting us for a peak. Cherry Kay

    ReplyDelete
    Replies
    1. Sorry for the late reply. I was having blog troubles! We have so much fun at Cinco de Mayo. We also do an Academy Awards party and the food has to relate to something up for an award...art direction, movie, etc. My favorite was the year Ratatouille was up for an Oscar...I had to make that dish!
      Blessings from Still Woods Farmhouse

      Delete
  7. Oh my
    I followed you from another blog
    Love your recipes.
    now I have something new to try.
    Your farmhouse
    looks like the one I raised my children in.
    Now living in a small cottage on this land.

    ReplyDelete
    Replies
    1. Thank you for stopping by Still Woods Farmhouse. I love that you name the homes you have built! If you get a chance, read my first blog posting and it will explain how our home was named. I am excited about visiting you at Woodhaven! Hope you try a few of the recipes...they are yummy!
      Blessings from Still Woods Farmhouse

      Delete
  8. What a beautifully set table, and the food!! I've never been to such a celebration; certainly worth toasting! Thanks for sharing!

    Poppy

    ReplyDelete
    Replies
    1. We always have a great time! Thanks for dropping by and come back soon!
      Blessings from Still Woods

      Delete
  9. Hi Cathy! Thanks for the invitation to your TGIF Link Party. I will head over there now and join in. Hope you get a chance to stop by Still Woods Farmhouse again!
    Blessings from Still Woods Farmhouse

    ReplyDelete

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