Happy Cinco de Mayo!

E-mail subject today from a fellow dinner club member: HAPPY CINCO DE MAYO!

First reaction: Oh ya! Let's celebrate!

Next Reaction: I have to revamp my dinner menu to coincide with this celebration! I told my fellow dinner-club members to head over around 5:30. Hoping this would leave plenty of time to get to the store and prep. I knew I had to make my mom's black bean and feta dip: fast, easy and delicious!

Original Menu:

Sauteed Shrimp

Roasted Tomatoes

Angel-Hair Pasta

Bread

Salad

Revised Menu:

Black Bean and Feta Dip

Mexican Spiced Shrimp Quesadillas

Refried Beans

Southwestern Rice

Skinny Girl Margarita

Black Bean and Feta Dip:

2 cans black beans, rinsed and drained

8 oz. package feta cheese

small can chopped black olives

1 bunch of cilantro - chopped

1 bunch green onions - finely chopped

Red Wine Vinaigrette

Layer all of the ingredients in a serving dish. Top with Red Wine Vinaigrette. Serve with tortilla chips. Simple, yet delicious!

Skinny Girl Margaritas:

Also tried making this margarita recipe for the first time. I must say, I was quite disappointed. I spent a lot of time juicing the limes, but found the result too tart. So I went with the traditional Gray family recipe: frozen limeade, tequila, cointreau (or triple sec) and ice in the blender. Tasty!!

After my friends left, I made dinner for the fiance. I made Mexican-spiced shrimp quesadillas, refried beans and rice. Perfect ending to the Cinco de Mayo celebration!