The Easiest Piñta Cake

Back to School means back to the grind.

Homework, sports practices, meal planning...

In an effort to make the dinner routine a little more fun, 

we rely on Taco Tuesday to make our week night a fiesta.

I'm surprising everyone tonight with a treat, 

a Piñata Cake...

Store bought coconut cake is magically transformed into 

a darling dessert...

You just need a Piñata Cookie Cutter...

and colorful sprinkles...

Gently push sprinkles into the cake to better hold them in place, 

then lift cutter straight up.

This piñata is all about the prize being on the outside,
instead of inside.
Just the way I like it...

Viva Taco Tuesday!

Summer Cherry Salsa

Is there anything cheerier than a cherry?
Perfect for pies, simple snacks, gorgeous garnish for drinks
and sensational in salsa...

We are so lucky to have friends with property chock full of cherry orchards.

We definitely know Summer is here when we get a package from Sunset Ranch...

Cherries are such a fun, flavorful alternative to tomatoes, 

the tart yet sweet taste is totally addictive...

Quick, easy and pretty, 

I think it's the best way to get the Summer Fiesta Season started...

Summer Cherry Salsa

Mix together:

2 cups fresh pitted cherries chopped

1/4 cup finely chopped shallot

1-2 fresh jalepeños finely chopped with seeds removed

juice of one lime

1/4 cup roughly chopped cilantro 

1 tsp kosher salt

Serve with chips and enjoy

Cinco de Mayo Desserts - Maraca-rons

What a reason to celebrate,
Taco Tuesday and Cinco de Mayo in one week!
We are shaking things up for 

and making Maraca-rons...

Store bought macarons instantly transformed

All you need are macarons, wooden stir sticks and colorful icing

(I used macarons from Trader Joe's, stir sticks from Starbucks and Wilton Icing Writers)

cut stir stick down to size and insert gently into macaron filling...

then decorate to your heart's content...

Olé!

Mexican Chocolate Taco Pies

What do you do when Taco Tuesday and Pi Day collide?

You make Mexican Chocolate Taco Pies of course!

These are actually easy as PIE to make and so much fun for any fiesta.

Round won ton wrappers are perfect for the Taco Shell/Pie Crust...

I lightly fry them in butter on the stove, 

then mold them on a tented book covered in foil...

Then they are ready to fill...

whip...

top...

and eat...

Mexican Chocolate Taco Pies

For taco shell pie "crust"
-You'll need package of round won ton skins, available at most grocery stores in refrigerated produce section - I used mini ones but you can use the larger egg roll size as well and cut into rounds (use a bowl, place upside down on skin and cut around with a knife).
-tent a small book with rounded spine and cover with foil.
-heat a teaspoon of butter in a small sauce pan over medium heat.  One at a time, lightly fry the skin until it starts to brown, turning over as soon as first side browns.  It will take less than a minute for them to be ready.  Once it is brown but still pliable, remove from heat and quickly place over foil covered book.  Use a paper towel to help mold over into "taco shape".  Let cool a few minutes and you are ready to fill.

For Filling
-honestly the easiest chocolate filling is a high quality pudding mix but we use Petit Pot Dark Chocolate Pot de Crèam.  You can either spoon it in or pipe it with a ziploc baggie.
-then top with whipped cream and shaved Mexican Chocolate.

Taco Valentines

It only happens every six or seven years...

the epic collision of Valentine's Day and Taco Tuesday!

What better way to celebrate, than with 

"I love you more than Tacos" cards?

Make them for a special someone or the whole class and turn the day into a fiesta...

You just need a few simple supplies...

Punch out a circle from yellow paper,

(I used textured for a more authentic corn look)

then bend slightly to make a taco shape...

(I like to use a Sharpie pen to curve it around)

Drizzle clear drying glue

inside your taco shell and add your lettuce 

(green crinkled paper or cut thin strips of paper)...

Then punch out tomatoes from red paper, 

and glue on top of your lettuce...

Lastly, use snips of orange embroidery floss, yarn, ribbon 

or paper to make your cheese...

Adhere to your card with glue or double sided tape...

Taco 'bout a fun, fresh, delicious card!!!

Señorita Straws - Make Taco Tuesday Great Again!

Taco Tuesday has been our weekly dinner ritual for as long as I can remember.

Sometimes we eat in, often we eat out but it's always tacos.

We keep it simple and I always want to keep it fun, 

I never want anyone to siesta!

Taco Tuesday should always be a fiesta.

In an effort to spice things up, 

we have been sipping festive Mexican sodas, along with our tacos,

through what I've been calling Señorita Straws.

Colorful, bright, refreshing and so easy to make.

See my tutorial here for making the mini tissue paper flowers then hot glue onto a straw.

I am on a campaign to Make Taco Tuesday Great Again.

Join me on Instagram for all the fun.

 #makeTacoTuesdayGreatAgain.

Cinco de Mayo Taco Trucks

Cinco de Mayo is just around the corner and 

look what pulled up in the nick of time-

Taco Trucks!

Hot, delicious and fun José Olé Beef & Cheese Mini Tacos in colorful, toy pick-up trucks.

A festive and easy way to feed a hungry fiesta crowd.

These mini tacos are packed with protein, 

authentic Mexican flavor and are ready in minutes.

The tiny size really revs up the party, 

and the crunchy, meaty cheesiness will have you saying Olé all day.

Don't get caught running on empty...
 pick up José Olé and fill up your family.

They are perfecto for Cinco de Mayo or any time you want to turn a meal into a fiesta.

And if you are like me, 

Taco Time is my favorite time.

Print your own taco watch faces here to wear while you enjoy your mini tacos.

and print a coupon for $1 off  José Olé , while supplies last,  here.