Ingredients for a Simple Cinco de Mayo Party

by Michele Cheplic | More from this Blogger

04 May 2009 10:50 AM

Everyone loves a party, but not everyone has the time or the means to throw a full-fledged fiesta to celebrate Cinco de Mayo. Instead of renting a tent and filling it with tamales and pinatas, consider having a low-key affair that highlights the Mexican culture.

Here are some simple ideas to get your kids fired up about the fifth of May:

MEXICAN PLACEMATS

Materials:

Scissors

Glue

Ruler

Pencil

18-by-12-inch piece of construction paper

16 strips of construction paper in multiple colors (each should be 1-inch wide by 12 inches long)

Directions:

Take the large piece of construction paper and fold it in half widthwise.

Use the ruler to mark the paper an each inch along the folded edge.

Do the same along the open edge, but the marks should be 1-inch from the edge of the paper.

Draw a line connecting the marks.

Unfold the paper.

Cut slits in the paper where you made the marks.

Weave the 1-inch strips through the slits. Be sure to alternate them for the most colorful effect.

Glue the ends of the strips to the edges of the placemat to hold them in place.

Once you have the placemats made, then work on some easy Mexican recipes to accent your Cinco de Mayo paper crafts:

MEXICAN CASSEROLE

Ingredients:

1-pound hamburger meat

1 package Taco seasoning

1 can cream of chicken mushroom soup

1 small can of Refried Beans

1 can Nacho Cheese soup

1 Bag of Tortilla chips

2 1/2 cups shredded Cheddar cheese

Directions:

Preheat oven to 350 degrees.

Brown hamburger meat in skillet and then drain off the grease. Put the browned meat back into the skillet along with the next four ingredients.

Meanwhile, take an ovenproof 9 by 13-inch casserole dish and crumble the chips into the bottom.

Place meat mixture on top of the chips.

Top with shredded cheese and place in the oven until cheese is bubbly.

Serve with guacamole, salsa, sour cream, black olives and additional tortilla chips.

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Simple Cinco de Mayo Recipes

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Learn more about Michele Cheplic

Michele Cheplic was born and raised in Hilo, Hawaii, but now lives in Wisconsin. Michele graduated from the University of Wisconsin-Madison with a degree in Journalism.

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