How about a Fiesta for Cinco de Mayo or for any evening? A fiesta is frugal and fun and appeals to all ages. Here’s the plan for a frugalicious and fast FIESTA!

Fiesta Meal Ideas

Make Your Own Nacho Bar

Tortilla Chips
Taco Meat Recipe – 1 lb. ground beef, 1 cup picante sauce, 1 can ranch style beans (do not drain)…brown beef, add picante sauce and beans.
Simmer 10 minutes.
Grated Mexi-Cheese
Shredded Lettuce
Chopped Tomato or Pico de Gallo
Sour Cream
Guacamole
Salsa
Jalapenos
Black Olives

Make Your Own Burrito Bar

Large Flour Totillas
Taco Meat Recipe (see above)
Ground Beef
Mexican Rice or White Rice seasoned with fresh cilantro
Grated Mexi-Cheese
Shredded Lettuce Chopped Tomato or Pico de Gallo
Sour Cream
Guacamole
Salsa
Jalapenos
Black Olives

Black Beans

Ingredients:
3 tablespoons olive oil
4 gloves garlic
2 teaspoons dried oregano leaves
2 whole hot cherry peppers, seeded and finely chopped
2 cans black beans
2 tablespoons balsamic vinegar

Directions:
Heat olive oil
Brown garlic, oregano and peppers.
Add black beans and balsamic vinegar.

Enjoy this delicious side dish at your FIESTA!
Serves: 6

Tres Leches

Ingredients:
1 box white or yellow cake mix
15 oz. can cream of coconut like Coco Lopez – if your grocery doesn’t sell it, check the liquor store
1 can condensed milk
12 oz. Cool Whip – thawed
Fresh, sliced strawberries sweetened with sugar

Directions:
Prepare cake according to package directions.
Let the cake cool.
Poke holes all over the cake using the handle of a wooden spoon.
Mix together cream of coconut & condensed milk and pour over the cake.
Refrigerate.
Spread Cool Whip on top before cutting into squares.
Top with sliced strawberries.

Festive & Frugal Decorations

Learn how to make tissue paper flowers.

Take a walk around your house & gather up anything & everything Mexican for instant ambiance…don’t pass up your Christmas lights! A FIESTA should be colorful and fun!

FIESTA Activity

End the evening with a piñata, and everyone will go home with a bagful of candy! A piñata lets guests make their own goody bag!

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Written by:
Kristl Story
TheBudgetDiet.com
(It’s a diet for your wallet, not your waistline!)