Cinco de Mayo Recipes
Cinco de Mayo is Spanish for May 5th. These Cinco de Mayo recipes are easy to make and lower in calories and sodium than restaurant equivalents.
Cinco de Mayo is celebrated primarily in the United States by Mexican Americans commemorating Mexico’s victory or the French at the Battle of Puebla. Some Americans mistake Cinco de Mayo for Mexican Independence Day celebrated on September 16th.
The popularity of Mexican-American food has increased dramatically in the United States thanks in part by its affordability. What many Americans believe is Mexican food is actually variations of Sonora Mexico style tacos; beans, beef, chicken, or pork served in warm corn or flour tortillas. Tostadas, enchiladas, burros (burritos), and chimicangas are forms of tacos.
Thanks to prepared corn and flour tortillas available in virtually every store, a variety of Mexican-American foods can easily be made at home.
Making Mexican food at home allows you to control the type of fats, meats, vegetables, and cheeses used, the amount of sodium, and portion sizes.
A restaurant serving of Mexican food can be huge. First you begin with tortilla chips and salsa.
Then comes your entree. In this case beef Carnitas with flour tortillas.
The tortilla chips, salsa, and flour tortillas can exceed 600 calories before you even touch the entree. That assumes you haven’t started your meal with a margarita. Flour tortillas are high in sodium; 300 mg and up depending on brand and size.
Whether it’s for Cinco de Mayo or to satisfy were craving for Mexican food, here are recipes you can easily make at home anytime.
Ole!
Chicken and Bean Burros and Chicmicangas
Tostadas
Oven Fried Tortillas for Tostadas
Pico de Gallo (fresh tomato salsa)