With our close proximity to Mexico and a large Hispanic population, we have been celebrating Cinco de Mayo in the Dallas area for many years.  Besides colorful decorations, festive music and delicious Mexican influenced food, what exactly is being celebrated? 

Cinco de Mayo (Spanish for the fifth of May) celebrates the victory of the Mexican army over the French invasion of Mexico.   The battle took place near Puebla in East Central Mexico on May 5, 1862—one year before Central Christian Church was founded in Dallas. But that is just a coincidence and has nothing to do with why Central celebrates Cinco de Mayo.  We’re like the rest of Texas.  We love Mexican food and the opportunity for a fiesta. 

Following Sunday morning worship, Fellowship Hall became a little piece of Mexico as a Latin influenced buffet of Tex Mex favorites like carnitas, frijoles, queso and tamales were featured along with fresh fruits, colorful salads, salsas and tempting desserts. 

Central has some great cooks and I want to share some of our recipes with you for your Cinco celebration or your next “South of the Border” party. 

Remember the “Colorvision Cake” featured in an April edition of BubbleLife? I switched orange Jell-o for lime and the easy to make recipe became a perfect cake for a “Cinco de Mayo” celebration. 

Central member Rosemary Davenport never disappoints with luscious contributions to any get together.  Her praline cake was delicious and beautifully presented. 

Following are some easy recipes that you might like for your Cinco de Mayo celebration. 

Hot Bean Dip from Shelia Huffman 

1 8 oz. can refried beans (I used Gephardt’s but use your favorite)

¼ cup or to taste red salsa (I used Salchita an Oaxacan product from Central Market)

1 heaping tablespoon or more diced green chilies

6 ounces grated cheese (I used Los Altos brand Mexican Manchego from Central Market)

Mexican sour cream (available at Central Market and El Rancho) and diced green onion are optional garnishes. 

Mix beans and salsa with fork until smooth.

Fold in green chilies and spread mixture into a shallow casserole dish.

Top with grated cheese and heat in oven or microwave until beans are hot and cheese is melted. 

Garnish with sour cream and diced green onion if you like. Serve with a corn chip that won’t break easily. A really tasty dip, the bean filling and cheese also make an excellent bean burrito on a flour tortilla.

Queso with Sausage from Valda Dracopoulos

1 container white queso from Sam’s or Costco

1 lb bulk sausage

1 can Rotel (mild, medium or hot)

1 avocado (mashed)

Salt, onion salt and lime juice to taste 

Melt cheese in a crock pot. While cheese is melting brown, cook and drain sausage. Add sausage and remaining ingredients to melted cheese.  Serve with chips.   

Praline Cake from Rosemary Davenport 

1 Yellow cake mix and ingredients listed on the box for preparing 

Preheat oven to 350

Prepare 1 box. Yellow cake mix according to package directions

Pour batter into 2 greased 11 x 16 inch jelly roll pans.

Bake 30 minutes 

Frosting 

½ cup butter

2 Tbsp. flour

2 Eggs, beaten

1 ½ cup coarsely chopped pecans

1 pkg. (lb.) light brown sugar

1 tsp. vanilla 

Turn oven up to 400 

Melt butter.

Combine sugar, flour and eggs and add to butter. 

Cook 3 minutes on low.

Remove from heat.

Stir in nuts and vanilla.

Spread evenly over cake and bake an additional 8 minutes. 

When cooled, cut into squares to serve. 

Have a great Cinco de Mayo celebration and “Vaya con Dios” from Central Christian Church