Brunching, Cinco de Mayo Style

I love Mexican food. And by "love," I mean I could maybe-kinda-sorta eat it every day. Obviously the culture brings much richer heritage than food, but I was once a fat kid, and I'll always be a fat kid - meaning, everything is about food.

In the past, I've shared some South-of-the-Border-themed ideas with you. Who could forget White Trash Sangria, or perhaps my Pineapple Salsa? Well, if you look at the calendar, Cinco de Mayo is upon us...ole!

Here's a picture from San Antonio's Fiesta, an
annual spring festival that lasts for 10 days.
I saw it first hand...and those Texans know how to FIESTA.

Because the holiday is on a Sunday this year, that got me thinking a fiesta-inspired brunch would be the way to go. When you're gathering the gang for a boozy Mexican breakfast, here are a few inspirations.

BLOODY MARY SALSA    Inspiration courtesy of Food Network Magazine
A Bloody Mary is required for Sunday brunch - so why not take it in another direction? Mix 1 pound of chopped tomatoes, 1 cup of diced celery (leaves included), 1 chopped & seeded jalapeno, 2 tablespoons of horseradish, 3 chopped scallions, the juice of 1 lime, 1 ounce of vodka (take a swig from the bottle for good measure) and a dash of hot sauce plus a dash of Worcestershire sauce, if desired.

Serve with scrambled eggs, fried eggs and flour tortillas or with tortilla chips. 

BEERITAS
My friend Sherry calls these Killer Bee-ritas because WHEW - they've got a sting that will sneak up on you! Go gentle on these tasty little sippers. 

Pour 1 - 12 oz can of frozen limeade concentrate into a pitcher and keep the can. Next, fill the empty can with tequila and dump into the pitcher. Add 2 Corona Lights and then between one-half and one full can of 7Up or Sprite (depending how sweet you want the cocktail to be). Toss in some fresh lime juice or lime slices, if desired. Then, hide your car keys.

After a few beeritas, you're bound
to have a religious experience.

AMBIANCE
It doesn't take much to bring about fiesta flair. Start with a bowl of oranges and limes. Finish off the table with those religious icon candles found in the Hispanic section of nearly every grocery market in the United States. Candles covered in saints? Your Cinco de Mayo Sunday will surely be blessed.

Viva! Cinco de Mayo, amigos!

Fellow's Fresh-Ups for Your Space

Occasionally I look at my space - be it home, office or other - and I think to myself, "I have GOT to do something to spruce this up." It goes without saying I don't have the time or the budget to be repainting or redecorating my rooms every few months, so to meet the need within my means, I use what I call a "fresh-up."

Check out these trends that are easy on the wallet and even easier to create.

Stick It
Nature-inspired decor can be spotted in many home style shows or magazines. I'm a big fan of this trend to bring the great outdoors in. Along these lines, these twig pencils are just the rustic chic touch you need. Arrange them in a glass jar on your desk or coffee table. Not to mention they're also real pencils and under $6. Winning!
SOURCE: Amazon.com 

Switch It
Most of your light switch plates and outlet covers are probably plastic and boring. Pick a switch that gets lots of flicks - the entry way, guest bathroom or other - and perk it up with a pretty plate. Options abound at big box home improvement stores, but for something unique, try one of these options.

• Visit www.Etsy.com and search "light switch cover." The ones pictured here are from the ShampaneShop on Etsy. 
• Stop by an antique shop or consignment store that offers lighting fixtures and accessories.
• Make one! With the right print paper or fabric and some glue, you can fashion your own. It's so easy I won't bore you with the how-to...you're smart kids.

Frame It
I saw this display in a home decor store in Napa Valley. For an interesting installment, mix styles and shapes of photos frames and fill them with patterned paper. Your local craft or scrap booking store will have lots of paper options. Arrange the frames on a shelf, mantel or side table. 

Spray It
Never underestimate the power of spray paint, people. For a few bucks, you can make anything look different or brand new. My mom was an avid sprayer: tables, chairs, baskets...if it wasn't nailed to the floor, she'd spray paint it, and I used to think she spent half of her time high on the fumes. I didn't understand her motivation back then, but looking back, I can appreciate her thriftiness.

The example photo here, sourced from imgfave on Pinterest, shows bright colors. White also makes a statement and gives a modern touch. Frames, candle holders, figurines, jars...take a look around your home, and I guarantee you can find one thing that would become a bold conversation piece if spray painted. 

No matter the space or the budget, make one (or more!) of these "fresh-ups" your own. I'd love to see what you come up with.

Pack It Up: It's Picnic Time!

There's nothing like al fresco dining. Italian for "outside, at a fresh temperature," taking a meal outside just implies a fun, casual approach to eating. 

I have absolutely no idea what is happening here...
but I want to be there.

When the time and the place is right, my favorite outdoor meal is a picnic. What I love about a picnic is that it's all about the planning and not about the effort. If you want to make incredible homemade treats for your picnic, you certainly may. Or, if you want to simply organize and enjoy the fruits of your non-labor, outsource that s***.

GREAT PICKS FOR PICNIC FARE

• Assorted cheeses, cured meats, crackers
• Olives, pickles and nuts
• Grape leaves, hummus and other Mediterranean nibbles from the deli
• Pre-made pasta salad, cous cous or potato salad
• Tuna or chicken salad (add a little curry to give these a new 'zip')
• Ingredients for guests to make their own sandwiches: assorted cold cuts, cheeses, breads, lettuce, tomato and a few mustards, mayos and other sandwich spreads
• Pick up a frozen pound cake from the grocery; allow it to thaw. Bring whipped cream, hazelnut spread (like Nutella), chocolate syrup and fresh berries for toppings.

Our recent Napa Valley picnic. I learned that the more wine
you drink, the more fabulous you think the picnic is.

PICNIC PACKING TIPS

1. As with any outdoor meal, be aware of temperatures. For chilled foods, make them ahead and store them in an ice-packed cooler. On ice, these foods can safely last for 4 - 6 hours (if not longer) without being compromised. 
2. In lieu of ice, use frozen ice packs. They won't make a soggy mess out of your picnic cooler. If you do use ice, place each of your food containers in a seal-able plastic bag, like a quart or gallon-size plastic zipper bag. This will ensure they stay dry.
3. Don't forget the essentials: plates, cups, napkins and cutlery. Bringing the real stuff elevates the experience but disposable is acceptable, too. It's also nice to bring platters or bowls for serving. (I mean, if you didn't cook any of it, at least you can make it look pretty by arranging it on a plate, right?) Cutting boards are excellent for slicing and displaying foods. Make sure you also bring a sharp knife, wrapped in a dishtowel for safety.
4. Finally, bring a blanket and a trash bag for your garbage. With these 2 items, you don't need tables or trash cans to determine where you lay out your spread.

The great thing about a picnic is that it can be as extravagant or as easy as you like. Whether it's bologna sandwiches or bolognese pasta, enjoy dining in the great outdoors at least once this season!