Cinco de Mayo: Tools for the Best Fiesta
Every year on the 5th of May, many Mexican-Americans celebrate the holiday we’ve come to know as “Cinco de Mayo.” But it’s not just Latin-Americans celebrating the holiday anymore; you’ll see plenty of foodies from all walks of life head to restaurants serving authentic Mexican cuisine for specials on tacos, burritos, and of course lots of cerveza. This year, there’s an even better place to celebrate the holiday, and it’s in the comfort of your back yard on a piping hot grill.
In Latin cuisine, there are a few specialized tools that can make all the difference when it comes to convenience. Three of the food dishes we knew could use a few handy tools are guacamole, tortillas, and tacos. Let’s take an in-depth look at some of our best grill tools from our Latin product line to help you host the ultimate Cinco de Mayo fiesta.
The Tortilla Press
Most supermarkets today carry a wide variety of tortillas featuring everything from corn to whole wheat and even jalapeño. Packaging and clever marketing ploys make claims with words like “fresh,” “home style,” or “authentic,” but in truth there’s only one way to truly get these results: by making your own fresh, from scratch. Tortillas are much easier to make than you’d think, especially with the help of a tortilla press.
Simple to operate and easy to clean, this press makes quick work of forming dozens of fresh tortillas for your hungry guests. Made from cast aluminum, this press is built to last for many years to come.
Tortilla Recipe
Making tortilla dough and using the press are incredibly easy; so easy the recipe only requires three ingredients! Let’s take a look at how simple it is to make your own tortillas from scratch.
Ingredients
- 2 C. Masa Harina (special corn flour)
- 1 ½ C. water
- ¾ tsp. salt
Method
- Add salt and Masa Harina to a bowl and mix.
- Add water and combine until dough is formed.
- Roll 1” balls with the dough.
- Line the press with wax paper and load up a dough ball.
- Use the handle to press the ball flat until desired shape and thickness are achieved.
- Cook tortillas 60 to 90 seconds per side until cooked through.
Avocado Scoop / Masher
Avocados are another great staple of Latin cuisine, most famous for comprising a tasty dip we call guacamole. Guacamole has a deeply rooted history in Aztecan cuisine and for good reason – it’s delicious! Making guacamole for a good-sized group can involve anywhere from 6 to 24 avocados, which means a lot of peeling, pitting and mashing. Chances are you’ve got a kitchen knife to get started on the task, but for scooping and mashing there’s only one tool for the job. This tool features a loop on one end for removing the good stuff from your avocado, and a masher on the other end for turning it into guacamole. Pick up some of the fresh fruit and one of these scoops and you’ll make quick work of one of the most popular party dips around.
The Taco Rack
Before this rack existed, grilled tacos were quite the challenge. Because of their shape, you can’t exactly set a full taco on the grill and cook it to perfection. Since necessity is the mother of invention, we decided to create a taco rack capable of holding four tacos on the grill. The rack is nonstick for easy cleaning, and can even serve as a toasting rack for toasting freshly made tortillas. Using 3 or 4 racks for larger groups makes feeding a crowd super simple. Combine it with fresh made tortillas (made using our press) and you’re in for the best taco night ever!
¡Vamonos!
This year, impress your amigos with an amazing Cinco de Mayo party cooked completely on the grill. After discovering how easy it is to make your own, you’ll never want to buy tortillas or guacamole again!
