Cinco de Mayo

Bringing History and food together

Cinco de Mayo seemed appropriate beginning as it was the date of our first blog, and we do a love a bit of history and of course dressing up!

Cinco de Mayo is celebrated widely in the USA ironically less so in Mexico itself where is is most celebrated in the state of Pueblo, where the famous battle took place. In 1861 impoverished after years of war, Mexico declared that it wouldn't pay its foreign debts for 2 years, England, Spain and France all went to Mexico to get their money, England and Spain negotiated but the French decided to invade. A small Mexican Army fought off the French against all the odds and this is what is celebrated today.

Resources about ingredients in the food and the Mexican Flag.

The recipe that we use in the class room to illustrate this is a Mexican Tomato Salad, we chose this as we only have 5 ingredients and its a non cook recipe so we can do this in primary schools that have no cooking facilities.

The lesson starts with a brief over view of the celebration, we look at a map and key facts about Mexico. We explain the recipe and highlight key facts about the ingredients! Have a look at our tomato article on the website for our key facts.

If we are doing a hands on lesson with the children where they join in we will set out a place for each pair of children as below.

Mexican Tomato Salad

Ingredients

*  250g of cherry tomatoes (large tomatoes de-seeded and chopped are good too especially if using as a dip!)

*      ½ red onion finely chopped

*      1 green Chilli deseeded and finely chopped

*      Juice of 1-2 limes

*      Large handful of coriander chopped

Equipment

*  Green Chopping board

*       Sharp Knife

*       Large bowl for mixing ingredients together

*       Table spoon for mixing together

*       Lime Squeezer

*       Scissors

 We then follow through the recipe step by step demonstrating skills like cutting techniques. We have put in links to some great videos below.

Method

1. Before you start put on an apron, roll up sleeves, tie back long hair and wash your hands

2. Cut the tomatoes in half using the bridge technique, put into the mixing bowl

3. Add the chopped red onion

4. Squeeze over the lime juice.

5. Using the scissors snip the corriander into the dish just before serving.

Serve with Cucumber sticks or put into a wrap with chicken and or cheese! Enjoy