Good Food Reads || 05.05.17

It’s Friday and it’s Cinco de Mayo, so who’s ready for a fiesta? I know I am! The weather is finally turning around here in Minnesota (we had SNOW on May 1st – it was a cruel joke) and I am ready for some good food, good drinks, and time on our porch with friends. With those things in mind, this week’s Good Food Reads is full of recipes for your Cinco de Mayo Celebration, a relaxing weekend gathering and a few other great finds. Oh, but before you plan your menu, better check out this Washington Post article on the current avocado shortage. Say it isn’t so! 

After months of debate, my husband and I finally settled on some outdoor furniture for our porch. It arrived this week and I’m thinking that this Perfect Margarita from Serious Eats will be the perfect thing to celebrate it’s arrival and welcome friends to what I hope will be our great summer evening hang out spot.

As you’re putting together the menu for your Cinco de Mayo celebration, here’s a Good Food Read with the skinny on the history behind the holiday (spoiler: It’s NOT a celebration of Mexican independence). While you’re reading, why not enjoy one of these Blood Orange Margaritas and some Tropical Mango Guacamole! I’m planning to make this Tequila Shrimp Taco Salad and Sheet Pan Poblano Chicken Fajitas. If you’re making food for a crowd, these Pulled Pork Sopes are always a hit. The College Housewife’s recipe for Green Chili Enchilada Cornbread Casserole looks pretty tasty, too.

And…I think these Baked Churros might have to happen just because you can’t have a cinco de mayo party without churros, right? Oh man, do they look good! And just in case you need one more margarita option: a Cilantro Jalapeno Margarita. You’re welcome.

Now that we’ve got all of that Cinco de Mayo stuff out of the way – I have to say, I am LOVING all of the fresh strawberries hitting stores right now. They are perfectly ripe, juicy and so dang tasty. I think this weekend will be the perfect time to try these Ricotta Pancakes with Roasted Strawberries. Ambitious Kitchen also has an amazing recipe for Cottage Cheese Banana Oatmeal Protein Pancakes if you’re searching for a slightly more virtuous way to start your Saturday morning. Either way, it will be pancakes for the win in my house!

I know that Memorial Day is the official kick off to summer – and the grilling season! – but with our porch finally being fully functional, I’m declaring grill season OPEN. We will be starting with these Green Goddess Salmon Burgers and maybe even some BLT Red Potato Salad with Avocado. And if you’re still needing a little south of the border flavor fix: serve up some of this Creamy Avocado Salsa Verde.

Finally, because we can’t do Good Food Reads without dessert: No Bake Strawberry Shortcake Cheesecake Bars.

Happy cooking – and eating!