How to Host a Cinco de Mayo Neighborhood Barbecue
Since a Cinco de Mayo neighborhood barbecue is an informal event, there are no hard and fast party guidelines or rules. Your chief responsibility as host is to make sure the party conforms to your theme, and that means carefully planning your menu. Does this Spark an idea?
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Instructions
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Offer plenty of Mexican food. Cinco de Mayo is a celebration of the Mexican victory over the French, so have plenty of Mexican food to honor the day. You menu can include guacamole, quesadillas, sopes and empanadas. Steak, fish, pork, beef or lamb fajitas are delicious when served sizzling right off the grill. If you want to get fancy and exotic, pick up a copy of "Mexico: The Beautiful Cookbook" (Harper Collins) by Marilyn Tausend and Susanna Palazuelos with photos by Ignacio Urquiza or "Recipe of Memory: Five Generations of Mexican Cusine" by Victor and Mary Lau Valle. After reading, you can wow your guests with dishes like barbecued chiles stuffed with mincemeat served under an almond-caper dressing or barbecued squab on saffron rice.
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Check your drink list. Choose Mexican beer like Corona, Dos Equis and Modelo and for the non-beer drinkers, serve Sangria and Margaritas. You can also serve a lite version of Corona for those who want to cut down on the alcohol intake while still enjoying a cold one.
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Play Mexican music in the background throughout the event. You can find downloads at Calabash Music or check out the Mexican music category for CD's at CD Universe (see Resources below).
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Create the appropriate atmosphere with festive Mexican decortations including pinatas, sarapes, Mexican flags, maracas, sombreros, straw masks, balloons, charro hats and an inflatable cactus ring toss game. You can find these items online at sites like Pinatas.com and Party Supplies Hut (see Resources below).
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Tips & Warnings
If someone leaves your party drunk and is involved in an accident or altercation, you could be legally liable. Stop serving alcohol at least an hour before the party ends to give your guests time to sober up. Arrange for rides home for those that cannot drive themselves. Appoint designated drivers before the party begins and have the numbers for local car services handy. During the party, serve many high carbohydrate dishes to slow the rate of alcohol absorption. Have a bartender who can monitor each guest's alcoholic intake.
