maine coon crafts: Party Up! Cinco de Mayo

Cinco de Mayo, is not the day of Mexican Independence, it is the day that celebrates the Mexican Army's victory over the French at the Battle of Puebla on May 5th, 1862. For many of us, it has come to be a day to hit the local Mexican Restaurant and imbibe on delicious Margaritas and Mexican Food Favorites, accompanied by a Mariachi Band. It is also a great reason to plan a get together with friends and have a party! This year the holiday falls on a Sunday, making it perfect for a late afternoon party with great drinks and some real deal Mexican street fare. I plan to post food and beverage recipes that will truly inspire you to planning a great El Día de la Batalla de Puebla (English: The Day of the Battle of Puebla). Cheers!
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Tinga: Simply one of the best Mexican Street Fare Recipes that I have ever made, So good and perfect as miniature party fare hor d'oeuvre. Tinga, Tostadas, whatever you call it,
it is sure to be a hit paired with an Icy Cold Salted Margarita...

Ingredients:
(Makes about 12 Tostadas)

2 Chicken Breasts on the bone - boneless can be substituted
Tostadas or Hard Taco Shells or Large Chips
6 Plum Tomatoes
1 Small White Onion
2 Clove Garlic
Chipotle Peppers in Adobo
1 Small Can Tomato Sauce
Mexican Crema or Sour Cream
Queso Fresco or Ricotta Salatta or Feta
Shredded Lettuce
Chopped Onion
Lime Wedges

- Boil Chicken Breasts until the meat can be easily removed and shredded - set aside

- On a Grill Blacken Tomatoes on each side, remove, cool and peel

- In a blender add: 1 small onion quartered, 2 peeled cloves of garlic, 2 or more Chipotle Peppers with Adobo to taste, peeled tomatoes, salt and pepper, splash of sugar and blend until smooth

- Pour the salsa mixture into a skillet and bring to a boil, add the can of tomato sauce to thicken

- Add the shredded chicken and stir to coat, cook for 5 minutes to heat through, taste, and add more chipotle if you want more spice, salt and pepper to taste

- On each tostada spread lightly with Crema or sour cream, add chicken mixture, top with shredded lettuce, onion, crumbled cheese and a drizzle of Crema if you are using the Mexican type, add a squeeze of lime

These are usually prepared on the flat crispy tostadas, but are easier to eat in a crisp corn taco shell. As an hor d'oeuvre, place on individual chips

Enjoy!

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Sangria, a wonderful, fruity, refreshing beverage that gets any party started! Great for Cinco de Mayo Celebrations, Backyard BBQ's, Showers or any Celebration. Here are some of my favs collected over the last few years, Hope You Enjoy!