[1] “Mexican” Meatloaf, with south-of-the-border ingredients (photo © Pampered Chef.

[2] Tortilla chips get crumbled and added to the chopped meat. But you can serve whole chips on the side—with salsa or guacamole (photo © Good Eggs.

[3] Poblano (photo courtesy Rio Luna Peppers | Facebook.

[4] A deep covered baker is a versatile kitchen pan—for baked chicken, casseroles, cakes and more. Get this one from Pampered Chef.

[5] How about a starter of lobster-topped guacamole in a lettuce cup? Here’s the recipe (photo © RA Sushi).

[6] Try a different Margarita rimmer; here, smoked salt (photo © Casa Noble Tequila).

[7] For dessert: baked churros and chocolate sauce. Here’s the recipe (photo © The Baker Chick).

Each year we try new Cinco de Mayo recipes, and this south-of-the-border Mexican meatloaf recipe couldn’t be easier. It’s easily cooked in the microwave; or the oven, if you prefer.

Crushed tortilla chips, poblano chile peppers, and other common Mexican ingredients: bell peppers, onion, chipotle, shredded cheese.

A can of black beans—topped with the extra cheddar—and some rice make a festive Cinco de Mayo dinner.

Add a green salad with a lime vinaigrette: Just substitute fresh lime juice for the vinegar).

Serve the extra whole chips on the side with salsa or guacamole.

Thanks to Pampered Chef for the meatloaf recipe.

There are more Cinco de Mayo recipes below, including cocktails, mains, desserts, and snacks.

The history of Cinco de Mayo.
 
 
RECIPE: MEXICAN MEATLOAF

Ingredients For 6 Servings

 
Preparation

1. FINELY CHOP the bell pepper and onion. Place the chips into a large resealable plastic bag and very finely crush using a rolling pin or meat tenderizer to measure 1/2 cup (125 mL) crumbs.

2. COMBINE the ketchup and chipotle rub in a small bowl; stir. In a large (6-quart) mixing bowl, combine pepper, onion, tortilla chip crumbs, 3/4 cup of the ketchup mixture, beef, egg, and 1 cup of the cheese; mix well.

3. PLACE meat mixture in Deep Covered Baker; form into an 8-1/2 x 4-1/2-in. (22 x 12-cm) loaf. Microwave, covered, on HIGH for 14-17 minutes or until a thermometer inserted into the center of the meatloaf registers 145°F (63°C).

For oven cooking: the meatloaf can be baked, uncovered, in a 400°F (200°C) oven for 65-70 minutes. Brush with the sauce 15 minutes before the end of bake time.

5. REMOVE the baker from the microwave or oven. With a basting brush, brush the remaining ketchup mixture over the meatloaf. Microwave, covered, on for HIGH 3-5 minutes or until the internal temperature reaches 160°F (71°C) in the center.

6. SPRINKLE the remaining cheese over the meatloaf; cover and let stand for 10 minutes before slicing. Garnish with cilantro.
 
 
MORE CINCO DE MAYO RECIPES

 
Desserts

 
Drinks

We love a good cocktail: something special crafted with care.

We typically have them at restaurants, not at home; and in our neck of the woods they’re $15, $18, even $20.

Ha! We now have a great solution for home.

Two Chicks makes sparking cocktails in cans—only 5% alcohol, so you have flavor without the buzz.

They’re great for home, great for gifting—for Mother’s Day, Valentine’s Day, as a hostess gift or an anytime gift. We also like them as party favors.

The flavors are:

 
We’re not the only ones who like it. All the reviews we’ve seen have been 5 stars.
 
 
IT’S COCKTAIL TIME!

Drink a Two Chicks cocktail with a straw from the can, or from your cocktail glass of choice.

The cans are sold in single-flavor for-packs, nicely decorated in a vintage-style floral illustration (as are the cans).

Individual cans are SRP $3.99; four-packs are $13.99. Prices vary by retailer.

There’s a store locator on the website.

Or, head to these e-tail sites.

Visit the Two Chicks website.

[1] Three flavors of Two Chicks (photos © Two Chicks).

[2] Floral four-packs.

[1] A slice of Belle Chevre cheesecake (both photos © Belle Chevre).

[2] It’s delivered in this box. Yum.

We are in love…with a cheesecake.

Every cheesecake lover (brownie lover, chocolate chip cookie lover, etc.) has his/her own ideal recipe.

Belle Chevre’s is ours.

It’s dense, magnificently creamy, and redolent of fresh lemon flavor from lemon zest in the batter. It has a graham cracker crust.

It has everything we want in a cheesecake. It’s even a medium size, so if you eat the whole cheesecake (over three days, of course!), you haven’t gone overboard.
 
 
A SECRET INGREDIENT

Well, it’s not exactly secret. Belle Chevre cheesecake is made with the company’s heavenly chevre cream cheese (also a must-try, in Original plus Cinnamon, Coffee, Fig and Honey).

Those who don’t like goat cheese will never know that the cream cheese isn’t cow’s milk. There’s no goat cheese flavor whatsoever; just the palate pleasure of a great piece of cheesecake.

Think of what a slice of cheesecake costs at a restaurant. Belle Chevre’s 6″ diameter cheesecake, 27 ounces, is $34.95 (and worth every penny).

The year it debuted (2013), Belle Chevre cheesecake was the winner of the two of the food industry’s highest honors: the Sofi Award for Best Baked Good and the Dairy Innovation Awards Best Dairy Dessert.

The winners were chosen by buyers at top retailer stores. These people taste everything, so they should know!

For Mother’s Day, Father’s Day or anytime gifts—or for you because you deserve it—we can’t recommend this cheesecake highly enough (and we’ve had cheesecakes from at least 10 leading cheesecake websites).

Get the cheesecake at BelleChevre.com.

Find them here.

To tell the truth, they’re delicious frozen, too, perhaps with a dab of fudge sauce or fruit purée.
 
 
CHEESECAKE HISTORY

For a cheese lover, this Cheese Tower made of slate and oak is an elegant and fun alternative to a cheese plate or tray.

Just place the cheese—sliced, cubed, whatever—on the layers and place it on the buffet or pass it around the table.

The presentation will delight your guests. The Party Tower gives you three layers of beautiful slate that looks great on the dining table.

They’ll look even more tasty on the tiered tower than on your favorite serving plate, whether it’s just two of you for dinner or a whole dinner party.

The oak wood handle has a compartment to hold your party picks or toothpicks.

You can write the name of each cheese or other bite on the slate with chalk.
 
 
IT’S FOR MORE THAN CHEESE

It’s not just a Cheese Tower. It’s a Party Tower that you can also use for:

 
 
Having fun yet?
 
 
GET THE PARTY TOWER AT BOSKA.COM.

Party on with this Party Tower (photo © Boska).

[2] Use the tower for hors d’oeuvre, mini desserts, whatever (photo © Wisconsin Dairy).