-
Essential Menu for a Cinco de Mayo Feast
Mexican food and culture are irresistible to me – the warmth, the spices, the influence of the ancient. Cinco de Mayo is a day to celebrate it all. Often confused with Mexico’s Independence Day, the holiday actually commemorates the Mexican victory over the French in the Battle of Puebla and has evolved into a broader celebration of Mexican culture, particularly in the U.S. Here are my essential recipes for a Cinco de Mayo inspired feast. The Appetizer: Stuffed Jalapeño Skins No need to fry these stuffed jalapeños, since they get a crispy coating during a bake in the oven. They also have three kinds of cheese, fresh herbs, and chorizo,…
-
Rum Raspberry Dessert Sauce
We are in the midst of a heat wave, and the Fourth of July is almost here, which means many of us will be scooping ice cream, gelato, and other frozen desserts at picnics and barbecues long into the weekend. Velvety chocolate sorbet and rich vanilla bean ice cream and are at their seasonal best when paired with slightly tart berries, so this week I’m serving up a rum raspberry dessert sauce that you can use to top just about any flavor. (I’m looking at you, coconut and blood orange!) The only danger is eating it by the spoonful before your icy treat even nestles into the bottom of the…
-
No-Churn Mexican Ice Cream
From cinnamon to honey, classic Mexican dessert ingredients range from earthy to sweet. So do the notes of tequila. An unaged variety has the sweetness of blue agave, but as it matures in the barrel, notes of vanilla, spice, and oak develop. For this no-churn Mexican ice cream, I incorporated añejo for its smooth and smoky qualities, which bring out the deep side of vanilla. You can skip the tequila altogether to make this dessert suitable for everyone, but I recommend making one batch for adults and a separate one for kids, since it adds a flavor you won’t want to miss. As if the tequila and vanilla weren’t enough…
food + love + creativity
