fiesta foods

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When it comes to food, most of the Cinco de Mayo parties I've attended have pretty much gone like this: tortilla chips + salsa = fiesta. While the chips-and-dip fare is currently pulling the top three slots for your favorite Cinco de Mayo foods, there are certainly a few things you can add to the party menu to appropriately spice things up.

• Bring the heat with our Pepper Poppers. You can choose mild peppers like bell and poblano to please guests whose palates are too delicate for spicy foods. Plus, they're baked instead of fried, so they're better for you than traditional pepper poppers. (Even though I'm all for abandoning counting calories on this particular holiday.)

• For something a little more interactive, turn your Cinco de Mayo party into a tamale-making party. They're easier to make than you think, and the whole process can actually be a fun way to celebrate the holiday with friends and family.

• Complement all the Mexican beer with Margarita Ice Pops, which are simple to throw together and double as a slightly spiked dessert for the adults at your party. It's also an unsubstantiated fact that people go nuts for anything that's served on a stick.

Need more ideas for your Cinco de Mayo fiesta? Ándale over to our party guide.