Setting the Stage for Cinco de Mayo Parties
As you plan your menu for your upcoming Cinco de Mayo party, do not overlook desserts. You can serve some fabulous treats in keeping with all the other efforts you have put forth for this special day. One of the last things your guests will taste at your party will be dessert, so use these tips to make them extra special and memorable.
Making the Choice
Most desserts do fine being made the day before your party, and some actually require the extra time. To make that great impression on your guests, choose something classically Mexican like a Tres Leches cake for one of your desserts. Always serve more than one so your guests have a choice. The perfect complement to the cool, creamy Tres Leches cake is a rich chocolate concoction with some chili powder added. Chocolate is a very Mexican ingredient, and mixing it with chilies elevates it into something special.
Spend the time to do the desserts right. Everyone loves a rich, decadent dessert. You may also want to choose something lighter for your guests who prefer not to indulge. A nice fruit sorbet or a flan topped with fresh fruit may be just the thing they crave.
Presentation
Now that you have selected your desserts, you need to present your food in the most attractive way possible. You know Mexico is well known for its bright colors. Do not bother with earth tones and pale pastels. Cover your table with a richly colored cloth. You can go with the colors of the Mexican flag if you wish, or choose a color that complements your tableware. You can always add the red, white, and green of the Mexican flag in other ways.
If you do not have any tropical plants, see if you can borrow a few leaves from a friend who does. Tree philodendrons and palm leaves are particularly exotic looking. Lay the leaves on top of the tablecloth and set your platters right on top of them, letting the fronds peep out from beneath them. Make sure your platters are bright colors. Yellow, blue, orange, green, and red are perfect.
Instead of flowers, try making a centerpiece from peppers and tropical fruits accented with foliage. This looks great and sets off your food perfectly. For desserts, serve them on brightly colored dishes. Tres Leches is a pale cake, so serving it on a brightly colored dish sets it off perfectly. You can even accent it with some small, colorful, edible flowers or petals. The petals can be natural or candied. Bright colors will also make chocolate desserts look even richer.
Setting the Mood
There should be a lot of color at Cinco de Mayo parties. Mexico is colorful and vibrant and you should strive to achieve that for your party. When your guests walk through your door, your presentation will be the first impression, they have and can set the whole mood for the evening. The simplest dish of salsa or cake should look sumptuous and delicious.
Of course, once you have your home decorated and the food prepared, do not forget to dress up. The Mexican people enjoy dressing for the occasion, so why should you be any different? Choose a vivid outfit that will make you feel wonderful when you wear it.
All is ready; you only await the arrival of your guests. Take a deep breath and look around. You should be struck with the abundant color all around you. Start the music and you are ready to welcome your guests.
Cinco de Mayo history involves the Mexicans, the French and the Americans. The French attacked the Mexicans over a money matter. A small, ill-equipped contingent fought them off, with the aid of American Civil War soldiers who went from their own battles to aid Mexico.
