Celebrate Cinco de Mayo

While Cinco de Mayo is a relatively minor historical anniversary in Mexico, in the U.S. it has become a much larger celebration. The date commemorates the Mexican Army’s victory over the French Empire at the first Battle of Puebla, on May 5, 1862. It is not, as many people assume, Mexican Independance Day (that falls on September 16). In the United States the day has morphed into a broader celebration of  Mexican-American culture. These celebrations began in California, where they have been observed since 1863, and have spread across the country. 

Of course celebrating culture means sharing in food and drink, and Mexican-American foods like guacamole, burritos, and tacos rule the day (along with copious amounts of Corona and Dos Equis and margaritas galore).  Naturally, the EYB library contains everything you need for a successful Cinco de Mayo celebration. Start off with dips: pico de gallo and over 450 recipes for  guacamole, ranging from the basic (No-frills guacamole, pictured above) to the inventive (Strawberry guacamole). You can quench your thirst with delicious drinks like sangria, margaritas, mojitos, and micheladas. (My favorite is the paloma.)