Hello sunshine, and welcome to margarita time! In Mexico, Cinco de Mayo is celebrated with plenty of food, drink and dancing -- and though we do like to dance around the kitchen a bit, we'll leave that last part to you.

Classic Mexican flavors permeate this menu with hints of lime, chipotle and mole.

For those curious about the meaning of mise en place, it is a French culinary term for "set in place." If you have ever watched a cooking show, or been inside a restaurant kitchen, you will notice that next to the cooking area, things are set up just so. Ingredients, sauces and critical elements are ready to be used, whether pre-cooked, pre-chopped, or ready as a garnish. This kind of organized setup enables a cook to focus on the actual act of cooking itself without distraction. Our intention with this section is to use the same approach at home, enabling you to host your own special occasions with flair.

PAIRING NOTES

Since this menu is focused on Mexican flavors (and perfect for warm-weather festivities!) we thought it might be more fun to serve it with margaritas to kick things off, followed by Mexican beer to match the rest of the meal. There is a wide variety of Mexican beer on the market, so don't limit yourself to light, watery options with a wedge of lime!