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