A Cinco de Mayo theme Book Club Meeting

     Once a year I host my Go On Girl Book Club luncheon.  I have noticed that each lady that host monthly have a theme meal.  This meal is served each year on their specified month.  I needed a theme meal.  My month is always in April and on the last Sunday of the month.  I decided, based on the timing, to have my theme be "Cinco de Mayo".  It was perfect for the date.  And, I must say I love Mexican food and I cook it well.


     I wanted to keep the meal simple so I could spend less time in the  kitchen and more time participating in the book discussion.  I chose as my dishes the following:


Appetizers:
-tortilla chips
-dried plantain chips
-pico de gallo
-hot cheese sauce with chilies


Entrée:
-soft and hard shell taco
-grilled chicken with red peppers, onions and cilantro
-ground beef with taco seasoning
-black beans with red peppers and onions
-Mexican corn with green chilies
-white rice
-condiments:  lettuce, tomatoes, jalapenos, sour cream, and homemade pico de gallo


Dessert:
-Carmel Cake


Beverages:
-water
-lemonade
-margaritas




    The black bean were placed in a crock pot in the morning,  This allowed all the seasoning to marry in time for lunch.  All hot items were cooked two hours before the meeting and placed in a warm oven.  Condiments were cut and sliced 1  hour before and placed in the refrigerator.  However, I made the pico de gallo the night before.  I would love to say I baked the cake.  But no, I purchased it.  That would of been a little too much.  Margaritas were pre-made in a bottle. 


     The meeting went wonderful.  I was so proud.  The ladies have never celebrated Cino de Mayo.  They ate and drank to their hearts content.  We even spoke some Spanish during the meal.    I plan to do it again next year.  Of course, I will have a different menu but same theme.  I have a year to plan my menu to wow my book club members.    I think I love this theme idea!