I've always been a fan of flames, so the number one reason I love Cinco de Mayo is the fact that it's one heck of a great excuse to light my mouth on fire. Each year, I make something deliciously spicy and this year, I'm not positive, but I'm thinking I'll serve chiles rellenos. One thing I'm sure of: there will be pineapple margaritas with a chili-salt rim. The spice is no joke; it hits you up Read more

It's May 1, and you know what that means — Cinco de Mayo is almost here! We can't wait for everything from the tacos to the cocktails, but we're starting with the basics. No Cinco de Mayo celebration would be complete without a giant bowl of fresh salsa and a heaping pile of chips! Here are six salsa recipes to inspire you for the week. Cherry Salsa Pomegranate Mango Pico de Read more

When it comes to making Latin cuisine at home, I normally cook Americanized dishes like nachos. However, at a restaurant, I eat more traditional dishes that involve a side of rice and beans. While the beans vary, sometimes they're refried pintos other times they're saucy black, the rice is almost always Spanish rice. It's orange and has a distinct tomatoey taste. My friend Emily has been making Read more

Cinco de Mayo is mañana, and there is no better time to try your hand at simple homemade salsas. The combination possibilities are truly endless, and this salsa mixes the crunchy texture of jicama with the sweetness of mango. It is perfect to serve with tortilla chips or as a topping for tasty tacos. If you want a little extra heat, be sure to include the jalapeno seeds! Time to start planning Read more

Normally I purchase salsa verde, the Mexican condiment that's made from tomatillos, but sometimes it's nice to make it from scratch. Like most salsa, it requires a food processor or blender for pureeing. This one gets its reddish-green color from the tomatillos, green chiles, and chipotle chilies in adobo. The ingredients are broiled in the oven before being blended, so the salsa has a nice depth Read more

On Saturday mornings, I often enjoy watching Marcela Valladolid's Mexican Made Easy on Food Network. She cooks authentic cuisine with traditional ingredients. One ingredient that she always uses is Mexican crema. Somewhere between sour cream and crème fraîche, Mexican crema is a slightly sour, cooling, and creamy condiment. Although you can purchase it at many ethnic markets, it's super easy to Read more

Cinco de Mayo is less than a week away, so why not get in the spirit of things with a quick taco recipe? The ingredient list calls for ground pork, but feel free to sub in ground turkey, chicken, or chorizo. Serve the tacos family style and let your loved ones pile the tortillas with their favorite fixings. For a complete Mexican-inspired fiesta, pour margaritas and stir together a quick batch Read more