| There are three great days in the month of May | | | | refrigerate beans. Use within one |
| that I would like to talk about...Cinco de Mayo, | | | | week.----------------------------------------------------------------- |
| Mother's Day, and Memorial Day. I will share a brief | | | | Mother's Day - May 8, 2005 - In the United States, |
| history and include a couple of delectable recipes. | | | | about 150 years ago a Homemaker named Anna |
| Happy | | | | Jarvis wanted to bring attention to the impoverished |
| co de Mayo - May 5, 2005 - Cinco de Mayo means | | | | health conditions in her region. She decided to |
| "The 5th of May." Many people believe that it is | | | | organize a special day to help her cause. She called it |
| Mexico's Independence Day. This is not true. | | | | "Mothers Work Day." When she died in 1905 her |
| Independence Day in Mexico is September 16. The | | | | daughter began to Lobby to create a special day to |
| history of Cinco de Mayo dates back to the mid | | | | honor Mothers. Finally, in 1914, Woodrow Wilson |
| 1800's. Mexico was in substantial debt with France, | | | | signed a bill declaring Mother's Day a national holiday. |
| Spain, and England. France decided to use this to their | | | | Unfortunately, she never wanted it to become a |
| advantage and invade Mexico. The first invasion | | | | commercialized money maker. She even tried to get |
| attempt was on May 5, 1862. It is known as The | | | | the holiday canceled! I have decided not to include |
| Battle of Pueblain. The Mexican army was out | | | | any recipes because Mom should NOT cook on her |
| numbered and out matched, yet, they defeated the | | | | special day! She should be taken out to a nice quiet |
| French army and kept control of their country. | | | | dinner. Trust me on this |
| Unfortunately, they lost a battle that took place | | | | morial Day - US - May 30, 2005 - Memorial Day is a |
| about a year later and the French gained control | | | | day that the United States remembers the soldiers |
| from 1864 - 1867. Although Mexico lost out to the | | | | who lost their lives so they can live in a free country. |
| French in the end...they still celebrate the bravery | | | | It was first observed on May 30, 1868. However, in |
| shown at the first battle. I have included two | | | | the beginning, not all states celebrated this holiday. It |
| delicious recipes to fit any Mexican celebration.Make | | | | did not become nationally recognized and accepted |
| 'em Smile Guacamole(read entire recipe before | | | | until 1971. Unfortunately, today, the true purpose of |
| starting)1 very small onion, finely chopped | | | | this special day has been lost in cook outs, beer |
| 1 medium-large tomato, cored and very finely | | | | drinking, and a day off from work. Don't get me |
| chopped | | | | wrong...all that is great...BUT, Let's not forget the cost |
| 2 cloves of garlic, peeled and very finely chopped | | | | of our freedom.BBQ Burgers1-1/2 pound ground sirloin |
| 1/2 cup fresh cilantro, chopped | | | | 1 medium onion, finely chopped |
| 3 ripe, medium avocados, peeled, seeded, roughly | | | | 1 bottle of favorite BBQ sauce |
| mashed | | | | 2 tsp brown sugar |
| 1/4 cup of finely chopped leaf lettuce | | | | 1 Tblsp mustard |
| 1 teaspoon salt (or to taste) | | | | 1 Tblsp grill/steak seasoning |
| pepper to taste | | | | 8 hamburger buns |
| Juice of one small limeIn a medium bowl, mix the | | | | Favorite burger toppings (lettuce, tomato, onion, |
| onion, tomato, garlic and cilantro. About 1/2 hour | | | | etc.)Combine all ingredients thoroughly and shape into |
| before serving, add avocado with the rest of the | | | | 8 burgers. Grill or fry to desired doneness.PICNIC |
| ingredients. Your goal is to create a thick mass of | | | | POTATO SALAD7 medium-size baking potatoes |
| yum. Set aside for 10-15 minutes to let the flavors | | | | 1 cup mayonnaise |
| blend. Serve with your favorite tortilla chips or | | | | 1 Tblsp mustard |
| Mexican dish.Pinto Beans4 cups water | | | | 1 teaspoon salt |
| 2 cups dried pinto beans | | | | 2 celery ribs, sliced |
| 1 medium onion, chopped | | | | 2 Tblsp onions, finely chopped |
| 1/4 cup olive oil | | | | 1 Tblsp fresh parsley, chopped |
| 2 cloves garlic | | | | Pepper to tasteGarnish: 3 hard-boiled eggs, peeled |
| 2 thick slices of bacon | | | | and chopped (if desired)Cook potatoes in boiling |
| 1 teaspoon cuminMix water, beans and onion in | | | | water until tender; drain and cool. Peel and slice. |
| 4-quart Dutch oven. Cover and heat to boiling; boil | | | | Combine all ingredients except potato, mix. Add |
| about 2 minutes. Remove from heat; let stand 1 hour. | | | | potatoes and stir gently until well combined. Garnish |
| Add just enough water to cover beans. Stir in | | | | with hard-boiled eggs, if desired. Chill 2-3 hours...or |
| remaining ingredients. Heat to boiling; reduce heat. | | | | serve |
| Cover and boil gently, stirring occasionally, until beans | | | | ell, I hope you have enjoyed our journey...Happy |
| are very tender, approximately 2 hours. (Add water | | | | Cinco de Mayo, Mother's Day, and Memorial Day!!! |
| during cooking if necessary.) Drain, cover, and | | | | |