Spanish for "fresh water," agua fresca is a refreshing, fruit-infused drink that is served throughout Mexico. Depending on the ripeness of the strawberries, adjust the amount of sugar for desired sweetness.
Combine water and sugar, stirring until sugar dissolves. Place strawberries in a blender, and process until smooth. Combine the sugar mixture, strawberry puree, and juice; stir well.
Cooking Light MAY 2005
Amaretto provides an interesting twist on the traditional margarita's orange curaçao liqueur. We start with a homemade sweet-and-sour mix that can be prepared several days in advance. When guests arrive, add the remaining ingredients. To serve in salt-rimmed glasses, pour sea salt on a small plate. Rub the rim of each glass with a lime wedge, and then dip the rim in the salt.
Combine sugar and 3/4 cup water in a small saucepan; bring to a boil. Reduce heat; simmer 5 minutes or until sugar dissolves. Remove from heat; cool completely. Stir in lime juice.
Combine sugar mixture, tequila, orange juice, and amaretto in a pitcher. Serve over ice. Garnish with lime slices.
Spirit note: The most important words in choosing a tequila are "100 percent agave." Unless you spot this phrase on the label, you're getting as little as 51 percent agave, with lots of sugar added to make up the difference. An exceptional value is 1800 Reposado ($24). "Reposado" indicates the tequila was "rested" in oak, imparting flavors of citrus zest and butterscotch, which complement the nutty amaretto in this innovative margarita. --Jeffery Lindenmuth
Cooking Light MAY 2007
Taquito (ta-KEE-toe) means "little taco," and these are a vegetarian delight. They're filled with savory ingredients and then rolled into cigar-shaped bundles. You can prepare and refrigerate the filling the night before; allow it to stand at room temperature for 30 minutes before assembling the taquitos. Use tongs to dip the tortillas into the simmering broth.
Photo by: Photo: Randy Mayor; Styling: Leigh Ann Ross
To prepare filling, heat oil in a large nonstick skillet over medium-high heat. Add onion and garlic; sauté 3 minutes or until onion is tender. Add veggie ground round and next 4 ingredients (through chiles); cook 5 minutes.
Preheat oven to 425°.
Bring broth to a boil in a large saucepan. Reduce heat, and simmer. Working with 1 tortilla at a time, carefully dip tortilla into broth for 2 seconds using tongs; place softened tortilla on a paper towel. Spoon about 1 tablespoon filling across lower third of tortilla; top with 2 teaspoons cheese. Roll up; place rolled tortilla on a baking sheet coated with cooking spray. Lightly spray roll with cooking spray. Repeat procedure with remaining tortillas, filling, and cheese.
Bake at 425° for 13 minutes or until rolls are crisp.
Cooking Light MAY 2007
Substitute Monterey Jack cheese for fontina, if you wish. Chop the vegetables in advance; refrigerate. Finish the recipe just before serving.
Heat a large nonstick skillet over medium-high heat. Coat pan with cooking spray. Add onion and jalapeño; sauté 2 minutes. Add mushrooms and salt; sauté 5 minutes or until moisture evaporates. Remove mushroom mixture from pan; keep warm.
Wipe pan clean with paper towels. Return pan to heat; add 1 tortilla. Cook 1 minute; turn tortilla over. Arrange about 1/3 cup mushroom mixture over half of tortilla; top with 1 tablespoon cheese. Fold in half; cook 30 seconds on each side or until cheese melts and tortilla is golden. Repeat procedure with remaining tortillas, mushroom mixture, and cheese. Cut each quesadilla into 4 wedges.
Cooking Light MAY 2007
This is best if prepared an hour before serving. It's great with Cumin Chips.
Combine first 8 ingredients in a medium bowl; toss gently. Cover and chill 30 minutes before serving. Garnish with lime wedges, if desired.
Cooking Light MAY 2007
For a less spicy version, discard seeds and ribs from the jalapeño before chopping. If made in advance, stir the salsa just before serving.
Photo by: Photo: Randy Mayor; Styling: Leigh Ann Ross
Combine all ingredients in a medium bowl; toss gently. Cover and chill.
Cooking Light MAY 2007
If you can find blue corn tortillas, they'll add color to the table. Prepare the chips a day or two ahead, and store in an airtight container.
Photo by: Photo: Randy Mayor; Styling: Leigh Ann Ross
Preheat oven to 375°.
Combine first 3 ingredients in a small bowl. Brush each tortilla with juice mixture. Cut each tortilla into 6 wedges. Arrange wedges in a single layer on 2 baking sheets coated with cooking spray. Sprinkle evenly with salt. Bake at 375° for 30 minutes or until crisp, turning chips and rotating pans every 10 minutes.
Cooking Light MAY 2007
This quick and easy enchilada recipe is an easy weeknight family favorite. Prepare the Enchilada Sauce a few days ahead of time, and refrigerate.
Photo by: Photo: Randy Mayor; Styling: Leigh Ann Ross
Preheat oven to 350°.
Heat oil in a large nonstick skillet over medium-high heat. Add 2 cups zucchini and corn; sauté for 5 minutes or until vegetables are tender. Remove from heat, and stir in beans.
Spread 1 cup Enchilada Sauce in the bottom of a 13 x 9-inch baking dish coated with cooking spray. Spoon about 1/2 cup zucchini mixture down center of 1 tortilla; sprinkle with 2 tablespoons cheese, and roll up. Place seam-side down in baking dish. Repeat procedure with remaining tortillas, zucchini mixture, and 14 tablespoons cheese. Spread remaining 2 cups sauce evenly over enchiladas.
Cover with foil; bake at 350° for 30 minutes. Uncover; top with remaining 1 cup cheese. Bake, uncovered, for 10 minutes or until cheese melts.
Cooking Light MAY 2007
Combine all ingredients except cooking spray in a zip-top plastic bag; seal and shake well. Marinate in refrigerator 2 hours or overnight.
Preheat grill.
Arrange vegetables in a single layer on grill rack coated with cooking spray. Grill 10 minutes or until browned, turning vegetables occasionally.
Cooking Light MAY 2007
You can omit the small amount of coffee liqueur without drastically changing the flavor. Contemporary Mexican chefs often add ground red pepper to their chocolate desserts; leave it out if you want a more traditional taste.
Photo by: Photo: Randy Mayor; Styling: Leigh Ann Ross
Preheat oven to 375°.
Coat 8 (6-ounce) ramekins with cooking spray; sprinkle with 3 tablespoons granulated sugar.
Combine 1/2 cup granulated sugar, cocoa, flour, cinnamon, salt, and pepper, if desired, in a medium saucepan. Gradually add milk, stirring with a whisk until smooth. Bring to a boil over medium-high heat; cook 1 minute, stirring constantly. Remove from heat; add chocolate, stirring with a whisk until smooth. Place chocolate mixture in a large bowl; stir in vanilla, liqueur, and egg yolk.
Place the cream of tartar and egg whites in another large bowl; beat with a mixer at high speed until foamy. Add 2 tablespoons granulated sugar, 1 tablespoon at a time, beating until stiff peaks form. Gently stir one-third of egg white mixture into chocolate mixture; gently fold in remaining egg white mixture. Spoon evenly into ramekins; sharply tap ramekins 2 or 3 times on counter to level. Place ramekins on a baking sheet.
Bake at 375° for 30 minutes or until puffy and set. Sprinkle with powdered sugar, if desired. Serve immediately.
Cooking Light MAY 2007
Jazz up this fresh, icy treat with a splash of tequila. If you're making this ahead of time, stir the pineapple in just before serving.
Combine sugar, 2 cups water, and 2 1/2 tablespoons lime juice in a medium saucepan; bring to a boil. Reduce heat, and simmer for 5 minutes or until sugar dissolves. Remove from heat. Place the sugar mixture in an airtight container, and chill.
Stir in remaining 1/4 cup lime juice, pineapple juice, and rind. Pour mixture into the freezer can of an ice-cream freezer; freeze according to manufacturer's instructions, adding fresh pineapple during the last 10 minutes.
Cooking Light MAY 2007
Cinco de Mayo Menu
Drinks
Strawberry Agua Fresca
Amaretto Margaritas
Starters
Vegetarian Taquitos
Mushroom and Fontina Quesadillas
Black Bean and Avocado Salsa
Mango Salsa
Cumin Chips
Entrées
Black Bean, Corn, and Zucchini Enchiladas
Grilled Peppers, Squash, and Onions
Desserts
Mexican Chocolate Soufflés
Pineapple-Lime Sorbet
Cooking Light
Commemorate this Mexican holiday with our authentic, mostly prep-ahead menu. (Serves 8)
Drinks
Starters
Mushroom and Fontina Quesadillas
Entrées
Black Bean, Corn, and Zucchini Enchiladas
Grilled Peppers, Squash, and Onions
Desserts
Back To
Cinco de Mayo Menu