“Cinco de Mayo has come to represent a celebration of the contributions that Mexican Americans and all Hispanics have made to America.” ~ Joe Baca

For those of you gearing up for Cinco de Mayo celebrations, I wanted to share this delicious recipe for jalapeno corn bread.

Ingredients:

1 1/2 cups cornmeal

1/2 cup all-purpose flour

6 tablespoons sugar

2 teaspoons baking powder

1 teaspoon salt

1/2 teaspoon baking soda

2 eggs

1 cup buttermilk

1/4 cup olive oil

3 jalapeno peppers, seeded and finely chopped

Directions

1.       In a bowl, combine the first six ingredients. In another bowl, whisk the eggs, buttermilk and oil. Add to the dry ingredients and stir just until moistened. Stir in jalapenos.

Pour into a greased 9-in. square baking pan.

2.       Bake at 400 degrees F for 20-22 minutes or until a toothpick inserted near the center comes out clean.

Cut into squares or wedges. Serve warm and enjoy!

“Taste is the feminine of genius." ~ Edward FitzGerald

We started last weekend off with a bang, joining my pal MMA and her fiancee for the tasting for their wedding reception at the Union League of Philadelphia.  After sharing 5 potential appetizers, 5 potential salads, 4 potential entrees, 4 potential desserts and a variety of cake combinations we were stuffed and excited for the big day.  I don't want to spoil any details, but I can promise it will be delicious!

[at the end of the tasting]

After the tasting we went to the Racquet Club, which is to be the site of their rehearsal dinner, for a beer and a laugh.

[the groom-to-be paying bar tender]

[pretty impressive likeness]

Saturday we had tickets to Flavors of the Avenue, an event to benefit East Passyunk Avenue's Business Improvement District's public safety program.  There were twenty-one vendors from the area offering samples of their signature dishes and drinks under the cover of a big top tent.  Outside the tent there were pay-as-you-go food and drink vendors, as well as live music. 

 ["stop taking pictures of us"]

[enjoying "The Elvis" cupcake - banana with a chocolate covered piece of bacon on top]

Luckily we decided to get VIP tickets, which got us into the tent an hour before the masses.  After scurrying to get a taste of as many of the treats and drinks as possible, one of the vendors suggested that we stock pile before the doors opened to general public.  We may have taken him a bit too seriously...

 [to be fair, those are all mini glasses]

Once the food and drink wound down, we headed outside to enjoy the music and the weather.

All-in-all, a great even to cap off a great weekend.  Can't wait for next year!