My 29th Birthday

There's one spirit that always gets a party started, and for my Mexican-inspired birthday dinner, I'm turning to tequila. Yes, it's a dangerous idea, but I only turn 29 once! I'll have plenty of beer on ice and I'm also making these cool frozen margaritas.

The key ingredient is a scoop of lime sorbet that melts with the tequila. It's easier than mixing classic margaritas all night and I won't have to worry about juicing a million limes — perfect! To check out the recipe I plan on using, keep reading.

Every year for my birthday I bake myself a cake. However, I'm spending the actual day on vacation in Spain, so that means the elaborate cake baking will happen when I return.

At the celebratory dinner in Cadiz, I'll offer my new Spanish friends an easy-to-make but delicious-to-eat sundae. Not just any sundae, one that keeps up with my Tex-Mex-inspired menu, a Mexican sundae with cinnamon chocolate sauce and dulce de leche ice cream.

Salty, crunchy peanuts and flaky sweetened coconut give texture to the frozen dessert. To look at the recipe I'll be using, read more.

It's time for my absolute favorite party of the year: my birthday party! It's coming up on Thursday, Sept. 16, and although 29 is not a milestone, that doesn't mean I'm not doing something special. Yes, it will be more low-key than the elaborate five-course dinner I hosted last year. In fact, it will be an intimate affair in Spain! I'm treating myself to some rest and relaxation at a friend's house on the coast of Cadiz. While there, we'll invite people over for an informal Sunday dinner. Since the guests will be Spanish, I want to serve all-American cuisine with a Tex-Mex twist.

We'll start with homemade queso and fish tacos. The queso pairs well with tortilla chips and icy cold beer. Thanks to Giada De Laurentiis's creativity, the fish tacos are miniature! For the main course, I'll grill turkey burgers with chipotle salsa. Yum! Mixed greens tossed with pico de gallo are on the side. Interested in the recipes I'll be using? Read them after the break.