While we’re not at the end of Covid-19, more and more people are being vaccinated and are able to reunite with family members and friends who too have been vaccinated (click here for more info on CDC’s recommendations on small gatherings). In light of this, I think many of us are craving the warm spring air and the safest place for a small gathering of your pod is outdoors. If weather permits in your area, usher in Cinco de Mayo, (which celebrates the Mexican victory over the French at the Battle of Puebla), by celebrating with an alfresco-style dinner party, decorated with a fun and colorful tablescape.
THE FLOWERS
The inspiration behind this colorful tablescape is the vividly bright florals I selected to make this flower table centerpiece. Blooms in hues of deep orange Parrot Tulips with its scalloped petals, brilliant yellow and sassy dark red Ranunculus with its delicately soft petals, and garden-like greenery, makes this Cinco de Mayo tablescape the center of attention!
THE DETAILS FOR THIS COLORFUL TABLE SETTING
Varying styles of modern and vintage that coordinate in colors, worked for the look of this festive and colorful Cinco de Mayo tablescape.
To complement, bring balance, yet highlight the flower table centerpiece, I covered our outdoor table with a yellow tablecloth. Melamine plates in a peachy color are layered over neutral-colored rattan chargers. Modern black & gold flatware add a bit of the unexpected and bold sleekness to each of the place settings. Light peach-colored dinner napkins, tied in a knot are placed on each dinner plate and for a festive touch – limes with a Cinco de Mayo card attached – welcome guests to their chair…after all, limes are almost always used to add that bit of zest to any Mexican-inspired dishes! Deep green vintage colored glassware bring out the other green elements on the table and flower arrangement.
I kept it simple with the table decor elements. Gold cactus designed in white pots are placed on both sides of the flower centerpiece. In addition, a pair of peach-colored maracas were added to the table for a bit of festive flair. To bring in some ambiance, I used pretty green ombre and gold rimmed vintage bowls to house tea-light candles.
I printed these editable fiesta cards and attached it to each lime with a toothpick (note: to make a hole, I used a pin to create a hole opening in the card, pull it out and slowly pushed through a toothpick in a circular motion and attached to each lime). These cards can also be used as Food Labels or Place Cards.
A FUSION OF SPANISH VEGAN DISHES
Since I’m living a vegan lifestyle, I adapted a few recipes that infuse different ingredients that are not all traditional Mexican-style dishes. Let’s start out with the chips and dip… I found Trader Joe’s Sweet Potato Tortilla Chips made with white corn & sweet potatoes and accompanied it with a bowl of freshly-made mango salsa (I added fresh diced tomatoes to this recipe).
The main dish is jackfruit tacos, wrapped with Trader Joe’s corn tortillas. I adapted this Vegan Gyro recipe for that pulled pork taste, using Jackfruit and topped it with Curtido (Cabbage Slaw made with shredded cabbage, red onion, carrot, oregano, and vinegar).
For the side dishes, I used this Vegan Mexican Street Corn recipe (Note: I cheated and used Trader’s Joe’s frozen Fire Roasted Sweet Corn).
Instead of the traditional Mexican-style yellow rice and refried beans, I decided to infuse other Spanish flavor dishes like white steamed rice with a side of Dominican Habichuelas recipe. Not traditional but paired well with the rest of the meal.
Whether it’s date night for two or a gathering with your immediate pod, rethink “going out for dinner” to include an outdoor Cinco de Mayo dining experience in your own backyard or patio.
‘PIN IT’
A bit of history…Cinco de Mayo isn’t Mexico’s independence day. It is celebrated in Mexico on September 16th. Within Mexico, Cinco de Mayo is primarily observed in the state of Puebla due to the Mexican army’s 1862 victory over France at the Battle of Puebla.
Leave a Reply