Ole! 15 Mouthwatering Recipes For Cinco de Mayo

Cinco de Mayo is the perfect excuse to throw a party and indulge in all your favorite Mexican foods. From Chicken Enchiladas with Tomatillo Sauce to Tres Leches Cake (and, of course, Margaritas), these South-of-the-Border recipes will make your fiesta unforgettable.

1. Chicken Enchiladas with Tomatillo Sauce

My whole family loves these chicken enchiladas. I'll be honest, they take a bit of time to make -- but the good news is that you can make the sauce and filling ahead of time, and then assemble and bake the enchiladas another time for a quick weeknight meal. GET THE RECIPE

2. Roasted Tomato Salsa

Unlike most salsas, which are raw, the vegetables in this recipe are roasted -- intensifying the flavor of the tomatoes, mellowing the onions and garlic, and adding a light touch of smokiness. Warning: It's utterly addictive. GET THE RECIPE

3. Black Bean & Corn Salad with Chipotle-Honey Vinaigrette

This make-ahead salad is one that everyone loves. Whether you serve it as a side dish, salad or dip, the bowl is always empty and the mouths are always full. GET THE RECIPE

4. Chicken Tacos

These are my kids' all-time favorite tacos -- they're healthier than traditional beef tacos, and just as good, if not better. GET THE RECIPE

5. Mexican Rice Pilaf

This dish is not really authentic -- true Mexican rice is more complicated and time-consuming to make -- but my kids claim it tastes just like the rice served at their favorite Mexican restaurant. GET THE RECIPE

6. Roasted Garlic Guacamole

While traditional guacamole is made with raw onions, this updated version is made with roasted garlic, which has just as much flavor and none of the unpleasant aftertaste. Always a crowd-pleaser! GET THE RECIPE

7. Green Pea Guacamole

Calorie Conscious? Try peas in your guac. It's a little sweeter, chunkier and surprisingly delicious! GET THE RECIPE

8. Best-Ever Black Bean Dip

This recipe was inspired by a black bean dip I had at a restaurant in Costa Rica. Given, it won't win a beauty contest -- but it's so flavorful, healthy and easy to make, you won't care. GET THE RECIPE

9. Grilled Tequila Lime Chicken

AKA Margarita Chicken, this is one of those dishes that just screams fun. The marinade -- a combination of tequila, lime, garlic and spices -- is loaded with bright South-of-the-Border flavor. GET THE RECIPE

10. Chicken Tortilla Soup

Inspired by the delicious chicken tortilla soup served at Tommy Bahama Café, this silky purée of vegetables, corn tortillas, chicken broth and spices is hearty enough to serve as a meal. GET THE RECIPE

11. Chili con Queso

Skip the Velveeta: from-scratch queso is so much better! This version -- made from fresh jalapeños, Cheddar and Pepper Jack -- is rich, creamy and dangerously addictive. GET THE RECIPE

12. Grilled Chicken Fajitas

These fajitas are easy to make. All of the prep is done ahead of time, so all that's left to do at dinnertime is quickly grill the chicken. Plus, they're so much fun! GET THE RECIPE

13. Chipotle Chicken Quesadillas

Crisp flour tortillas filled with gooey melted cheddar and shredded chicken in a smoky chipotle-tomato sauce -- these are truly the ultimate quesadillas. The recipe is adapted from the website of Curtis Stone, one of my favorite chefs and cookbook authors. GET THE RECIPE

14. Margaritas

Citrusy and slightly sweet, these margaritas are a refined version of the syrupy, fake-tasting margaritas served at many bars and restaurants. GET THE RECIPE

15. Tres Leches Cake with Dulce de Leche Glaze

Popular in Latin America, Tres Leches Cake is a light and fluffy cake soaked with a mixture of three milks: sweetened condensed milk, evaporated milk and heavy cream. In this version, rum is added to the soaking liquid and a simple rum-spiked dulce de leche glaze covers the cake. My husband calls it "heaven on earth." GET THE RECIPE