Last Minute Menu Ideas for Cinco de Mayo: Fish Tacos and more

Asado Steak Tacos Photo: Arden PhotographyCinco de Mayo parties are always fun--- everyone loves Mexican food and the decorations for this party couldn't be easier or cheaper. A few of you have asked for ideas for a last minute fiesta---  so here you go. Get on the phone and invite a few friends over for this easy on the budget bash!

Simple Cinco de Mayo Menu

Martie's Pomegranate Margaritas Make up a batch of these. Your friends will ask for the recipe and you'll get the health benefit of the anti-oxidants in the pomegranate, too.

Alton Brown's Guacamole, Chips & Salsa

I am a fan of Alton Brown and use his quac recipe because it is really good and super fast. I get chips from my favorite Mexican restaurant and re-heat them at party time. They are so much better than most store bought varieties and about the same price. I make my salsa when we have fresh tomatoes but it isn't tomato season yet so just get a fresh store brand, add a little chopped cilantro, a splash of hot sauce and doctor it up to your taste.

Fish Tacos a la Cantina:

One fish fillet for each taco

Soft flour tortillas

Feisty Slaw (recipe below) 

Lime wedges

Foodie version: cook the fish yourself with whatever recipe you like. Use a light, firm fish like snapper; fried or oven-baked works best. Since we're short on time, I am opting for the cheater version--- which involves a quick trip to my favorite local fried fish take-out or Whole Foods-- they almost always have fish on the hot buffet. Make a quick slaw or pick one up. Here's the way I do it:

Chop up cabbage-- slaw style. I like red cabbage for this but white is good, too. Or a combination of both. Get the bag kind if you're in a hurry.

Dressing for slaw: Whisk together

1/4 cup olive oil

2 tablespoons lime juice

1 tablespoon apple cider vinegar

1-1 1/2 tablespoon honey

 1 clove garlic- minced

1/4 teaspoon sea salt

Dash of chipotle chile pepper, Tabasco or your favorite heat.

Pour over slaw and refrigerate until serving time. Heat the tortillas in the microwave just for a couple of seconds. Spoon slaw into the bottom of the tortilla. Add fish. Serve with condiments if you like; I prefer them with just a squeeze of fresh lime juice.

Asado Tacos

Fire up the grill! I cook mine on a grill pan or in a cast iron skillet when I don't want to heat up the big grill.

Almost any cut of meat will do, really. I got a nice sirloin the last time. Season generously before grilling with salt, pepper and rub in chipotle chile pepper. Make sure your grill is pretty hot. I add a little olive oil and a little butter to the pan first. Sear meat well on both sides. Cook to desired doneness; medium- rare is perfect for these. Let it rest for 10 minutes and then slice on the diagonal into bite size pieces.

I like the crunchy old school taco shells. It's easy to let everyone serve themselves by setting up a taco bar of condiments like cheese, salsa, guacamole, sour cream, jalepeno peppers, lettuce, tomatoes and a variety of hot sauces.

Party on-- more to come!