Holiday Chocolate Gift Ideas

Setting the Stage for Cinco de Mayo Parties

Dessert is an important part of your menu planning. As you plan for your Cinco de Mayo party, spend as much care choosing your desserts as you do your appetizers and main dishes. Dessert will leave a lasting impression of your party in the minds of your guests, so do not skimp on the food or the ambience.

Choosing Desserts

Luckily, many desserts can be made the day before your party. If you want to make something truly memorable such as a Tres Leches cake, it definitely needs the time to set before you serve it. Choose a couple different desserts. A nice complement to the creamy, cool Tres Leches cake is a dessert combining chocolate and chilies. It may sound unusual, but these two flavors create a flavor sensation.

While everyone is drooling over these rich, decadent delights, be sure you also offer something light and fruity for those who do not wish to overdo it. A light creamy flan or a fruity tart may be just the ticket to end their evening.

Presentation

Besides providing delicious food, you need to present them in an attractive way. Bright colors are one of the signatures of Mexico. They do not bother with pale pastels or dreary earth tones. Dress your table in a bright tablecloth. You can use one of the colors of the Mexican flag if you wish, or choose another bright color that sets off your dishes. Napkins can be set out in white, green and red; the colors of the flag.

Tropical houseplants can help you decorate your table. Borrow a few leaves from a palm tree or large tree philodendron to add that exotic, tropical feel to the table. Lay them out on top of your tablecloth and let the natural shape add to your dcor. Place the platters of food on top of the leaves, letting them fill the space between the dishes. For the food, choose platters in bright, solid colors.

Instead of flowers, try making a centerpiece from peppers and tropical fruits accented with foliage. This looks great and sets off your food perfectly. For desserts, serve them on brightly colored dishes. Tres Leches is a pale cake, so serving it on a brightly colored dish sets it off perfectly. You can even accent it with some small, colorful, edible flowers or petals. The petals can be natural or candied. Bright colors will also make chocolate desserts look even richer.

The Overall Effect

There should be a lot of color at Cinco de Mayo parties. Mexico is colorful and vibrant and you should strive to achieve that for your party. When your guests walk through your door, your presentation will be the first impression, they have and can set the whole mood for the evening. The simplest dish of salsa or cake should look sumptuous and delicious.

Now that your setting is done, attend to yourself. Dress up. Be colorful and have fun. In the Mexican culture, it is expected that people will dress up for special occasions. Dressing up in something bright will take away your stress and make you feel good.

All that is left is for your guests to arrive. The food is ready. The mood is set. All you need to do is smile and welcome your guests.

Mexican dessert recipes are sweet and delicious. Why not try some for a twist on familiar flavors? An apple enchilada dessert is simple to make. You could also do the same with cherries or peaches. Use what is in season and surprise your family with a dessert they will not forget.