Mamiverse Cinco de Mayo!

Not only is Cinco de Mayo fundamentally fueled by the power of Mexican heritage and pride, but also this joyful national holiday conveniently falls during the heart of spring, which makes entertaining around this holiday absolute perfection. The tradition to honor this special day hails from the town of Puebla, where it was originally known as El Dia de la Batalla de Puebla, when a small group of Mexicans overthrew French forces in an unexpected display of successful resistance, empowering the people with the prospect of democracy.

Today, celebrating Cinco de Mayo means celebrating freedom, independence and pride. It means turning your face upward, singing into that perfectly crisp springtime sky and saying, “I’m free and alive…now someone pour me another margarita!”

Help Mamiverse celebrate the launch of our new food channel by sharing a cocktail created especially for us by mixologist  Yvan Lemoine!  If you prefer to leave out the alcohol, we have a tamer but no less flavorful version as well.

MAMIVERSE MARGARITA

Ingredients:

1 1/2 oz Tanteo Jalapeno or Tropical tequila

2 oz pineapple juice

1 oz fresh lime juice

1/2 oz agave syrup

5 pink peppercorns

2 tbsp kosher salt

Skewers with little grilled pineapple pieces

Instructions:

1. In a mortar and pestle, crush the pepper then add the salt with the zest of the lime and mix well.
2. Combine a couple of pinches of the pink pepper salt with remaining ingredients, shake with fresh ice and serve in a martini glass.
3. Rim the glass with a little agave using your fingertip and dip it into the salt.
4. Finish with a wedge of lime.

MAMIVERSE CHILLER

Ingredients:

4 oz pineapple juice

2 tsp fresh lime juice

1/2 tsp agave syrup 1 tbsp

5 pink peppercorns (optional)

2 tbsp kosher salt

Instructions:

1. In a mortar and pestle, crush the pepper then add the salt with the zest of the lime and mix well.
2. Combine a couple of pinches of the pink pepper salt with remaining ingredients, shake with fresh ice and serve in a martini glass.
3. Rim the glass with a little agave using your fingertip and dip it into the salt.
4. Finish with a wedge of lime.

GUAVA AND CHEESE BITES: A FESTIVE HOLIDAY APPETIZER

The classic sweet-and-salty combination of GOYA® Guava Paste and GOYA White Cheese comes alive in this party-ready appetizer. With 4 ingredients and 15 minutes of prep time, these festive bites will be a welcome addition to your holiday menu.
Recipe from GOYA®.

(Makes 48 Bites)

Ingredients:

1 pkg. (11.6 oz.) GOYA Frozen Puff Pastry Dough for Turnovers, thawed

5 oz GOYA Queso Blanco (white cheese), cut into ¼” cubes (about 48 cheese cubes)

5 oz GOYA Guava Paste, cut into ¼” cubes (about 48 guava cubes)

½ cup walnut pieces, toasted (about 48 walnut pieces)

Instructions:

1. Heat oven to 400˚F. Using 1¾” diameter round cookie cutters, cut 4 circles in each puff pastry round (you will have 48 rounds).
2. Divide cut pastry rounds evenly among baking trays fitted with parchment paper, leaving 1” spaces between each round.
3. Bake until light golden brown and puffed, about 8 minutes. Using back of small spoon or melon baller, press down centers of hot pastries to make indentation.
4. Place one piece each queso blanco and guava paste into each indentation. Bake until guava and cheese are soft and melted, about 8 minutes.
5. Transfer pastries to cooling rack. Press walnut piece into each pastry. Let pastries sit until cool, about 10 minutes.

Cocktail recipe courtesy  YvanLemoine.com.