Thirsty Thursday :: Kentucky Derby & Cinco de Mayo

This week's Thirsty Thursday is in honor of this weekend's festivities.  With delicious mint julep and classic margarita recipes.  Bottoms Up!



And if you are looking for some classic Kentucky Derby inspiration we've got you covered.  Happy Thursday!

Tasty Thursday: Cinco de Mayo edition

In honor of Cinco de Mayo this weekend, here's a delicious Birria Taco recipe for your fiesta.

INGREDIENTS:

1. 3 pounds bone-in beef short ribs
2. Kosher salt
3. 5 dried California chile peppers, stemmed and seeded
4. 5 dried pasilla chile peppers, stemmed and seeded
5. 2 dried ancho chile peppers, stemmed and seeded
6. 4 medium tomatoes, cored and quartered
7. 1 small white onion, quartered
8. 4 cloves garlic
9. 12 black peppercorns
10. 1 tablespoon achiote paste (available at Latin markets)
11. Pinch of cumin seeds
12. Freshly ground pepper
13. 12 to 16 small corn tortillas, warmed
14. Pickled red onions, for topping (below)
15. Lime wedges, for serving

DIRECTIONS:

Put the short ribs in a large heavy pot. Season with 3 teaspoons salt and cover with water by about 1 inch. Bring to a boil over medium heat, skimming any foam from the surface. Reduce the heat to low and simmer until the meat is tender, 2 hours, 30 minutes to 3 hours. Transfer the short ribs to a cutting board with a slotted spoon and let cool slightly, then shred the meat from the bone. Skim the fat off the broth in the pot; reserve the broth.

Meanwhile, soak the dried chiles in warm water until soft, about 30 minutes. Drain and transfer to a blender; add the tomatoes, onion, garlic, peppercorns, achiote paste and cumin and process until smooth, adding water if necessary.

Mix about 1 cup reserved broth into the chile puree, then pour the puree through a fine-mesh sieve into the pot of broth. Bring to a boil, then reduce to a simmer and cook until thickened, about 30 minutes. Add the shredded meat and simmer 10 more minutes. Season with salt and pepper.

Use tongs to divide the meat among the tortillas. Top with pickled onions; serve with the remaining cooking liquid and lime wedges.

Pickled Red Onions

Mix 1 thinly sliced large red onion, 3/4 cup each white vinegar and water, 6 tablespoons sugar and 1/2 teaspoon each crumbled oregano and salt in a large resealable plastic bag; seal and shake, then refrigerate at least 24 hours.

Cinco de Mayo Inspiration

Cinco de Mayo is this Saturday and a dessert table like the one below is the perfect way to celebrate.  With an authentic Hacienda flair, this table highlights the Mexican culture's flair for sweets.  Featuring an ombre cake, mini churro cupcakes, mini Mexican hot chocolate cupcakes, Mexican wedding cookies, and Jarritos or Latin sodas.  The soft pastel color palette of greens, blues, and oranges really tie the whole table together.  Love the blue glass platters and the lovely orange blossoms.

{photos via Hostess Blog}

Tasty Thursdays... Cinco de Mayo eddition

In celebration of Cinco de Mayo here are some classic Mexican inspired treats.

{photo via Penny Maxwell}

 7 Layer Dip1 16 oz can of re-fried beans
1/2 pack of taco seasoning
6 oz of avocado dip (Trader Joes has the guacamole packaged already)
1 8 oz carton of sour cream
4 1/2 oz sliced black olives
1 lg tomato, chopped and seeded
2 green onions, chopped, including green tops
1 1/2 cups of shredded Cheddar or Monterey Jack cheese
Spread beans on the bottom of the dish. Pour guacamole on top of beans. Combine sour cream and taco seasoning mix. Pour on top of guacamole. Then add the remaining ingredients in the order listed. Serve with corn chips or tortilla chips.

{photo via Epicurious}

Classic Margarita
1/2 ounce silver tequila
3/4 ounce triple sec
1 1/2 tablespoons fresh lime juice
1/2 tablespoon simple syrup
ice
lime wedges and salted rim for garnish

Cinco de Mayo Link Love:
~Celebrate Cinco de Mayo in Chicago with an outdoor music festival in River North.
~ Cinco de Mayo printables and festive DIY banner
~ A new culinary twist on Cinco de Mayo classic with a Margarita Jello Shot
~ Cinco de Mayo party inspiration

A Colorful Cinco de Mayo Board

Cinco de Mayo is this Thursday. Here's some colorful, outdoors wedding inspiration for your destination wedding in sunny Mexico. Enjoy!

{Top Row: Trumpet Player, Cactus, Burnt Orange card with White Calligraphy, Mexican Wedding Cookies; Second Row: Blue Shoes, Chile Peppers, Tequila Bar; Third Row: Keys, Limes, Margaritas, Banner flags; Fourth Row: Chapel, Table, Red Doors}