Happy Cinco de Mayo!

Happy Cinco de Mayo!
While most people think today is a celebration of Mexican Independence from Spain, they are quite wrong. It's actually a celebration of when the Mexicans defeated the French armies of Napoleon. You can read a quick history here.

So I was supposed to have the following recipes posted on a website that I write for, unfortunately the date of launch keeps changing and so does my column. I figured, why waste it? I'll share my tips for hosting a nice small Cinco de Mayo dinner party, complete with Sangria, yummy! Unfortunately, my lack of a digital camera means a lack of photos of these yummy dishes.
Here's the column, really edited:
There's nothing more fun than a gathering of your buddies. Yeah, you can do it anytime, but if there's an occasion, all the better. And, if you can make it into a theme, well then you've got a banging little party goin on. So, I've put together some easy to make recipes that are sure to please everyone(unless they're a vegan). You can always increase the proportions depending on your crowd.

You’ll want to start off with some Easy Quesadillas with Fresh Guacamole and Salsa (but you of course can pour out a jar and pretend). We’ll follow that up with some Quick Cheapo Chili and for our main dish Cheesy Salsa Chicken Bake, served with Rice(white, brown, Rice-a-Roni, whatever you want). Serve it all up with some Simple Sangria.

Guacamole
Ingredients:
2 large avocados
2 green chillies finely chopped
2 tbs. finely chopped fresh coriander
1 tbs. finely chopped onion
1 tbs. finely diced tomato
salt
lime juice

1. Cut the avocados in half. Remove the stone and scoop out the flesh. Mash with a fork.
2. Put the avocado, chillies, onion, tomato and coriander in a bowl and mix thoroughly.
3. Add drops of lime juice to stop the avocado turning black, and salt to taste.
Serve immediately!
Remember to keep the pit in the center to keep it from turning.

Salsa
Ingredients:
2 medium tomatoes, chopped
¼ cup thinly sliced green onion
1 clove garlic minced
2 tablespoons fresh cilantro or parsley chopped (it's ok to use dried, you just have to up the amount a little)
1 tablespoon red-wine vinegar or cider vinegar
Easy:
In medium bowl, combine tomatoes, green onion, garlic, cilantro, vinegar. Mix well.

Quesadillasas
Ingedients:
10 white flour tortillas
shredded cheese-cheddar, jack, colby etc
Easy:
Sandwich as much chesse as you want in between 2 tortillas and bake at 350 degrees for 5-8 minutes, until cheese is melted and tortillas are crispy but have not yet browned.
Tip: Use a pizza cutter to slice into triangles.

Cheapo Chili
Ingredients:
¼ c. Olive Oil
1 large onion coarsely chopped
3 garlic cloves minced
2 pounds chicken(cut into chunks) or ground turkey or beef
or 1 pound of one kind and a pound of another
1 15 oz can of kidney, black, garbanzo, or white beans
1cup frozen corn
2 stalks celery diced
2 cups beer or wine
15 ounce can diced tomatoes with juice
½ cup chili powder
¼ cup shredded cheese(cheddar, monterray jack, Colby)

1. Heat olive oil in 4 qt pot over medium-high heat. Add onion and garlic, and sauté until edges of onion are slightly browned.
2. Add your choice of meat reducing heat if necessary and stirring to keep from sticking.
3. After 6-8 minutes when meat is cooked through, add tomatoes, beans, corn, celery, beer/wine and chili powder. You may add hot sauce to your taste at this point.
4. Bring mixture to a slow boil(on a medium heat setting). Lower heat and simmer, uncovered, until liquid is reduced and chili is thick(about 45 minutes).
Spoon into bowls and garnish with cheese

Baked Cheesy Salsa Chicken
Ingredients:
4 skinless, boneless chicken breast halves
1 cup chunky salsa (your favorite brand)
1 cup shredded Cheddar cheese
2 tablespoons sour cream

1. Preheat oven to 375 degrees.
2. Place chicken breasts in a lightly greased 9x13 inch baking dish.
3. Sprinkle taco seasoning on both sides of chicken breasts, and pour salsa over all.
4. Bake at 375 degrees for 25 to 35 minutes, or until chicken is tender and juicy and its juices run clear.
5. Sprinkle chicken evenly with cheese, and continue baking for an additional 3 to 5 minutes, or until cheese is melted and bubbly.
Top with sour cream and serve immediately with the rice of your choice.

Yummy!

And now, for the beverage:
Simple Sangria
Ingredients:
1/2 cup water
1 cinnamon stick
1/2 cup sugar
1 lime
1 lemon
1 orange
20 halved green grapes 2
0 halved red grapes
1 cup pitted cherries
1 bottle fruity red wine (like Shiraz)
2 cups ice

1. Bring the water, cinnamon and sugar to a boil and cookfor 5 minutes.
2. Thinly slice the lime, lemon,and orange with the peel intact.
3. Add the fruit to thesugar mixture and set aside to cool.
4. Add wine and chill overnight.
To serve, Place some ice and fruit mixture in each glass, pour wine over fruit and enjoy.