When Life Gives You Lemons Grab the Tequila

Cinco de Mayo is the Mexican holiday that is celebrated by millions of people all over the globe, and if you want to get in on the action May 5, there are plenty of ways that you can put that bottle of Tequila to good use.

Tequila has some amazing medicinal properties, and not that you would want to waste it on the kitchen sink, also makes a wonderful cleaner. Surprisingly enough, tequila can also be used to make synthetic diamonds. Other uses include cold and flu remedies. Try taking a shot of tequila before you go to bed for a deeper more relaxing sleep. Tequila is a great anesthetic and can be used for sore throats, toothaches, and earaches. 

Great chefs and cooks know how tequila can enhance the flavor of food. Use it instead of wine in your favorite sauces, or marinate a couple of pork chops with a good bottle of tequila, and don’t forget the all-important cocktail. This year instead of a traditional margarita, try something different.

Tequila Grapefruit Cocktail         

Ingredients:

• 1-ounce white tequila
• 1-ounce orange tequila
• Fresh grapefruit juice
• Club soda

Directions:

Pour the orange and white tequila over ice. Fill the rest of a tall glass with grapefruit juice. Finish with a splash of club soda. Garnish with lime and lemon and enjoy.

Then pair your tequila grapefruit cocktail with delicious hard or soft-shelled tacos. 

All you have to do is prepare your taco’s the way you normally would, but instead of using ground beef, try marinating a flank or skirt steak in tequila for a few hours or overnight. Grill and fill your tortillas with your favorite toppings like cheese, diced onions, salsa, lettuce, avocados  tomatoes and sour cream and you've got a Cinco De Mayo feast that will impress all of your party goers.  

Tequila Marinade

Ingredients

• 8 cloves garlic chopped
• 1 bunch roughly chopped fresh cilantro, leaves and stems
• 1 jalapeno pepper, seeded and diced small
• 1 red onion, sliced
• 1 teaspoon cumin powder
• 6 large limes juiced 
• 1/2 cup Tequila
• 1/4 cup Tamari (wheat free soy sauce)
• 1 1/2 to 2 pounds flank steak , pork or chicken

Preparation Method:

Combine the above ingredients in a resealable plastic gallon bag. Add the steak and let marinate in the refrigerator for 2 hours. Remove from the refrigerator, and let marinate at room temperature another 30 to 45 minutes before grilling.

Are you are celebrating Cinco de Mayo, what Mexican foods or drink will be on your menu? 

photo credit: Serge Melki via photopin cc   photo credit: chrisjara via photopin cc