Cinco de Mayo

Contemporary El Granjero Cantina’s Startling Contemporary Cuisine

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(Gerry Furth-Sides, content and Michael Brown photos courtesy of El Granjero Cantina) El Granjero Cantina invites everyone to celebrate the historic holida of  Cinco de Mayo with special dishes and cocktails Thursday, May 5th, 2022, from 10:00 am to 8:00 pm.

A Strawberry Margarita at El Granjero Cantina‘

Executive Chef Jenni Sklar will also be featuring three festive specials including her FRY-CHOS made of fries, guajillo cheese sauce, black olives, pickled onions, salsa verde, pico de gallo and sour cream, Lobster Tacos with luscious crispy lobster, cabbage slaw, and spicy aioli, and Steak Taco comprised of asada-style skirt steak, guacamole, corn salsa, Cotija cheese, and cilantro served with herb rice and beans.

What would a Mexican party be without delicious chips and guac?

The cantina’s new location at the historic Original Farmers Market adds to the holiday features an inviting indoor-outdoor seating and great patio for people watching, 

El Granjero offers a daily selection of Tacos, Dorados,Vegan Tacos, Salads, Bowls, Burritos, Quesadillas, Tequila, Mezcal, Top Shelf Margaritas, Sangria, Specialty Cocktails and Cerveza, Mocktails.

A contemporary spread of dishes at El Granjero Cantina‘

Executive Sklar‘s menu features regional Mexican flavors. She takes care to use seasonal and fresh ingredients. On the list is a selection of Antojitos (Snacks) including Guacamole, Fiesta Nachos, Papas Fritas and Pork Belly, and  Ensaladas (Salad).

Chef Sklar’s signature Caesar Salad prepared with classic romaine lettuce, adds cured egg yolk, sunflower seeds, and breadcrumbs. A more trendy dish of greens is the Kale Salad made with avocado, griddled cheese, house pickles, corn, and black bean salsa.

El Granjero Cantina house favorites include The HIBISCUS featuring sauteed hibiscus flowers, onion, and cheese. The Queso is prepared with cheese, black bean puree, salsa negra, and escabeche relish served with lettuce.

El Granjero Cantina‘s contemporary Quest
El Granjero Cantina‘s contemporary Quest

Chef Sklar’sTacos include Avocado, Beef, Carnitas, Chicken or Crispy Fish. The Dorados (Golden Tacos) are lightly fried to perfection with options of Chili Braised Beef & Cheese, Tomatillo Chicken & Cheese, and Soyrizo & Vegan Cheese.

Patas Fritas at El Granjeo Cantina

The Los Tazones (Bowls) include the California-inspired Crispy Avocado Bowl prepared with chipotle aioli, marinated kale, corn, black bean salsa, and pickled red onions. Other choices are the Chicken Bowl, Beef Bowl, Carnitas Bowl,Seared Fish Bowl, or Keto Bowl with a diner’s choice of protein with cauliflower rice, griddled cheese, cabbage slaw, marinated kale, and crema.

Chef Sklar also includes family favorites and sides for a full Mexican meal. This translates to Cheese and Chicken Enchiladas; Carnitas and Chili Beef Burritos. Acompanantes (Sides) include Avocado, Blistered Jalapeno, Cauliflower Rice, Corn Tortillas, Flour Tortillas, Guacamole, Black Beans, Black Bean Puree, and Herb Rice.

Bowls at the new El Granjero Cantina

“We make everything in-house from our pickles to our salsas, carnitas, and our tortillas,” states Sklar.  El Granjero Cantina’s tortillas are extremely special. Sklar spent months looking for the perfect blend of fresh corn masa and maseca (dry corn flour) to create a unique texture that resembles a flour tortilla. Says Sklar, “Our Tortillas are soft, pliable, full of moisture and fantastic flavor. The density reminds me of a tamale and every tortilla is handmade to order every time.”

El Granjero Cantina’s bar program, created by Cocktail Consultant Tobin Shea, honors traditional agave-based spirits from Mexico with a specially curated list of Tequilas y Mezcal showcasing a special selection of Blanco Tequila, Reposado Tequila, Anejo Tequila, andMezcal.

They describe their fun and frothy Frozen Margaritas, Cocktails on Tap, and collection of Classic Margaritas 

Specialty Cocktails at El Granjero Cantana

Specialty Cocktails such as the EGC Old Fashioned comprised if reposado tequila, mezcal, Meletti Amaro, and orange, Lifesaver made with mezcal, Fiero, lime and pineapple syrup, and Rasp-Hib Cocktail prepared with guests choice of tequila, Italicus, hibiscus tea, lime and soda.

And, to make sure this is the ultimate Cinco de Mayo celebration El Granjero Cantina will be serving up a SHOT & BEER  featuring a shot of Cazadores tequila and Modello ($12), Patron Margarita ($16) prepared with Patron silver, fresh lime juice, Cointreau, and agave, fresh Frozen Strawberry Margarita ($14) made with Cazadores tequila, Fiero, strawberries, lime, and sugar. 

Cazadores and Patrón will add to the party by serving samples from 4:00 pm to 8:00 pm to guests 21 and over. In addition,  El Granjero Cantina will also be offering select Beer, Wine, house-made Sangria, and non-alcoholic beverages such as El Granjero Cantina’s handmade Horchata and freshly carbonated Agua Frescas. 

A party would not be complete without music. Live Mariachis will be performing from 5:00 pm to 7:00 pm, so come sip, savor, and celebrate at El Granjero Cantina atThe Original Farmers Market this Cinco de Mayo!

El Granjero Cantina will be open on Cinco de Mayo, Thursday, May 5th, 2022, from 10:00 am to 8:00pm. For more information about El Granjero Cantina at The Original Farmers Market or to make reservations,please call 323.879.9324 directly or visit www.CantinaLA.com.

Want more stats to impress your friends on on Margarita preferences state-by-state? Head over to Shane Co.’s The Loupe Blog for the full post — including sweet and salty insights like just how much Americans spend on average per year, $331! 

  • The most popular combination is classic lime margarita with Patrón tequila, on the rocks, with a sea salt rim, voted a favorite by 20 states. 
  • Wisconsin, Florida, and Oklahoma have the highest margarita tolerance – reporting it takes more than 3 to get tipsy compared to the national average of 2.5. 
  • On average, the most Americans are willing to pay for a margarita at a bar or restaurant is $10.97 
  • The average American drinks 30.18 margaritas per year! With 83% of respondents saying they prefer regular to skinny margs. 
  • 31% of Americans said they would choose margaritas over coffee if they could only have one of either for the rest of their lives.
Taibo at the statue of Juarez in Mexico City (Netflix documentary above and below)

The Battle of Puebla is important in Mexican history as an inspiration for freedom and overcoming the odds for it. This is true despite a second battle that ended differently with the French overtaking Mexico City and Napoleon the III eventually establishing  his second Mexican empire outpost that lasted a few years. The reason was to replace the land his uncle sold to Thomas Jefferson in the Louisiana Purchase.  

What we remember, though is that although considerably outnumbered in this last stand to take over Mexico City, the ragtag assortment of 4000 Mexican soldiers defeated a much better-equipped, over-confident French army twice the size that had not been defeated for almost 50 years.  Credit goes to a young General Zaragoza who inspired them, calling them, “the best children of Mexico.”

Paco Ignacio Taibo II’s book traces Mexico’s revolutionary history from 1854-1867, a period he considers foundational to the country.  Watch the  Netflix documentary of it, showing Taibo tracing the route with other historians while narrating the captivating story.

Festive Cinco de Mayo at Home Edition 2020

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Tommy Bahama’s festive, tropical pineapple creme brûlée and dishes to go with it, below! Info at tommybahama.com

(Gerry Furth-Sides, content at-home party courtesy Tommy Bahama)

Cinco de Mayo commemorates the anniversary of Mexico’s 1862 victory at the Battle of Puebla over the French Empire. In Mexico, the commemoration of the battle that Cinco de Mayo celebrates continues to be mostly ceremonial, with strutting military parades or battle reenactments.   The city of Puebla marks the event with an arts festival, a festival of local cuisine, and re-enactments of the battle.  Cinco de Mayo is a perfect reason to rerun the Netflix TV show or reread Paco Ignacio Taibo II’s book  that traces Mexico’s revolutionary history from 1854-1867, a period he considers foundational to the country.

Tommy Bahama Baja Margarita, Blood Orange Margarita For more information visit www.tommybahama.com

In the US  a drinking party with lots of people is the rule. This year with everyone at home, Cinco de Mayo parties require some creative thinking.  One LIVE “Cocktail Club” with Tommy Bahama.  on Cinco de Mayo  features a festive island flare with a Margarita and Guacamole class hosted by lifestyle expert Gretchen Connelie.

Tommy Bahama Baja Margarita showcase features a Mango Habanero Margarita

 Tommy Bahama Baja Margarita, Blood Orange Margarita, Mango Habanero Margarita, Spicy Kumquat Margarita and Spiked Guacamole star at this party. Gretchen will walk viewers through a simple 6-ingredient guacamole anyone can do.
The secret to the special Tommy Bahama margaritas are freshly squeezed juices and scratch sour mixes.  For the heat, the Mango Habanero Margarita adds a couple drops of Bittermens® Hellfire Habanero Shrub Bitters to the tequila and sour adds spice to the mix that includes mango puree and Orange Curaçao.

Tommy Bahama’s Cinco de Mayo margarita that turns up the heat:Mango Habanero Margarita.

Srira-cha-cha Snack Mix features the snap of sriracha peanuts in sweet, salty and spicy mix with coconut flakes and cashews.

Srira-cha-cha Snack Mix by Tommy Bahaha

Tommy Bahama Baja Margarita
2 parts Sauza® Conmemorativo® Tequila
1 part Cointreau®
2 parts scratch sour mix
½ part lime juice
½ part Grand Marnier®
Add all ingredients to a shaker filled with ice except Grand Marnier. Shake well and strain over fresh ice. Top with Grand Marnier.
Scratch Sour Mix:
(Recipe makes 1/2 gallon. Can be stored in the refrigerator for up to 3 days.)
3 oz. egg whites, pasteurized
2 cups sugar
4 cups water
3 ½ cups fresh lemon juice
¼ cup fresh lime juice
¼ cup fresh orange juice
Whisk egg whites in a large bowl until frothy. Stir in the sugar and mix until incorporated. Add water and fresh juices and mix thoroughly.
Tommy Bahama Mango Habanero Margarita
1 ¾ parts Milagro® Silver tequila
¾ parts orange Curaçao liqueur
1 part The Perfect Purée® Mango Purée (diluted with equal parts water)
1 part scratch sour mix (see recipe above)
2 slices fresh habanero
4 drops Bittermens® Hellfire Habanero Shrub Bitters
Build in a shaker with ice. Shake well until chilled and strain over fresh ice.
Tommy Bahama Blood Orange Margarita
2 parts Sauza® Gold
1 part Solerno Blood Orange Liqueur
½ part blood orange juice
1 part sour mix (See recipe above)
Build in a shaker with ice. Shake well until chilled and strain over fresh ice.
For more information visit www.tommybahama.com
The Netflix documentary of it, showing Taibo trace the route with other historians is worth the watch, and is as entertaining as it is informative.

Taibo at the statue of Juarez in Mexico City (Netflix documentary above and below)

The Battle of Puebla is important in Mexican history as in inspiration for freedom and overcoming the odds for it. This is true despite a second battle that ended differently with the French overtaking Mexico City and Napoleon the III eventually establishing  his second Mexican empire outpost that lasted a few years (to replace the land his uncle sold to Thomas Jefferson in the Louisiana Purchase).   First, although considerably outnumbered in this last stand to take over Mexico City, the ragtag assortment of 4000 Mexican soldiers defeated a much better-equipped, over-confident French army twice the size that had not been defeated for almost 50 years.  Credit goes to a young General Zaragoza who inspired them, calling them, “the best children of Mexico.”

They came equipped with 200,000 rations of food and 8,000 rations of wine!   Second, since the Battle of Puebla, no country in the Americas has been invaded by any other European military force.  And third, even though the French army continued to pour in men and arms for the next few years to overtake Mexico, it did not stop the Mexican Revolution of guerillas,  that came to be known as chinakas, literally meaning “without underwear” and that came to define the common people who fight for freedom, “the best children of Mexico.”

Prieto came up with the phrases that inspired the revolution to continue(Netflix documentary above and below)

This engaging host is a world-renowned, social activist, historian, professor, journalist, union organizer and author of over 51 books, published in 29 countries and over a dozen languages. 

Watch and Celebrate The Real Story Behind Cinco de Mayo

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(Gerry Furth-Sides) Cinco de Mayo is as good a reason as any to celebrate Paco Ignacio Taibo II book  that traces Mexico’s revolutionary history from 1854-1867, a period he considers foundational to the country.  Watch the  Netflix documentary of it, showing Taibo tracing the route with other historians while narrating the captivating story.

Taibo at the statue of Juarez in Mexico City (Netflix documentary above and below)

The Battle of Puebla is important in Mexican history as in inspiration for freedom and overcoming the odds for it. This is true despite a second battle that ended differently with the French overtaking Mexico City and Napoleon the III eventually establishing  his second Mexican empire outpost that lasted a few years (to replace the land his uncle sold to Thomas Jefferson in the Louisiana Purchase).   First, although considerably outnumbered in this last stand to take over Mexico City, the ragtag assortment of 4000 Mexican soldiers defeated a much better-equipped, over-confident French army twice the size that had not been defeated for almost 50 years.  Credit goes to a young General Zaragoza who inspired them, calling them, “the best children of Mexico.”

They came equipped with 200,000 rations of food and 8,000 rations of wine!   Second, since the Battle of Puebla, no country in the Americas has been invaded by any other European military force.  And third, even though the French army continued to pour in men and arms for the next few years to overtake Mexico, it did not stop the Mexican Revolution of guerillas,  that came to be known as chinakas, literally meaning “without underwear” and that came to define the common people who fight for freedom, “the best children of Mexico.”

Prieto came up with the phrases that inspired the revolution to continue, that another door, a fort, a band of men would rise up whenever the French defeated one (Netflix documentary above and below)

This engaging host is a world-renowned, social activist, historian, professor, journalist, union organizer and author of over 51 books, published in 29 countries and over a dozen languages. The stocky Taibo appears at a distance like an overgrown toddler until a close up shows off his brilliant insights, always carrying a coke and with a cigarette or cigar in his mouth. Read a wonderful description of him by my former journalist  colleague Marc Cooper //(//www.thenation.com/article/paco-taibo-mexico-culture-books)

Interestingly enough, In Mexico, the commemoration of the battle continues to be mostly ceremonial, such as through military parades or battle reenactments. The city of Puebla marks the event with an arts festival, a festival of local cuisine, and re-enactments of the battle.  In the US  a drinking party is more usual although there are restaurants, such as Espita Mezcaleria, a Mexican Restaurant in the Washington, DC area who celebrate the holiday with the goal of being “ethical and aware.”  This year they are highlighting a Oaxacan rum from a remote village outside the city and a small brand of mescal, Mezcal Vago -with no frozen margaritas, mariachi band or pinatas.

Cinco de Mayo, Mezcal El Silencio has collaborated with bartenders all over the country to create specialty cocktails at their places or for your own parties.  Recipes are below.

To blend them all up at home, why not use the latest technology? Stainless Steel Shaker33 Cocktail Shaker ($39.95 online at at Shaker33.com).It is made of lightweight acrylic and finished in stainless steel; shatterproof BPA-free Tritan™ plastic that is top rack dishwasher safe.  The 24 oz. large format to enable large cocktail batches to be mixed at once.  The leak-proof containers features an easy-to-open, lockable lid with a Dual Flow strainer for a slow or quick pouring, and a low condensation process that conveniently chills drinks, “not hands.”  Other improvements include a non-slippery and one-handed mixing capability.

Stainless Steel Shaker33 Cocktail Shaker (photo courtesy of Stainless Steel Shaker)

In Los Angeles at Guerilla Tacos, Eric Jordan creates the King Pulque cocktail

  • Mezcal El Silencio
  • Pulque
  • Lime
  • Orange
  • Pineapple
  • Fresno chili
  • Avocado
  • Grapefruit expression

At Barely Disfigured in New York comes the Dirty Old Man

  • El Silencio Mezcal
  • El Jimador Tequila
  • Red chili pepper infused Aperol
  • Pineapple
  • Agave
  • Lime
  • Peychaud bitters

(photo by el Mezcal El Silencio)

Las Manos de Ochoa will be served at Fifth and Rose in San Diego.

  • El Silencio Espadin
  • Ginger
  • Lime
  • Amaro Nonino
  • Orinoco bitters

El Alteño by Whislers’ Brett Esler is the holiday drink in Austin.

  • El Silencio Mezcal
  • Pomegranate liquer
  • Lemon
  • Honey
  • Ancho chile
  • Sal de Gusano

(photo by el Mezcal El Silencio)

Sex Pantherwas created by Kitty Cohens

  • El Silencio Espadin
  • Passionfruit
  • Kitty’s Bitters
  • Lime

Whiskey Tango Foxtrot Icehouse (WTF) offers the Frozen Mezcal Margarita by Chase Ware & Seth Gnader

  • El Silencio Espadin
  • The rest is a well-kept secret

(photo by el Mezcal El Silencio)

Roys Boys in Washington, D.C. features the Fuego Verde by Frank Mills

  • 1.5 oz El Silencio Espadin
  • House bloody mix including: Poblano, Jalapeño, green apple, cucumber, green tabasco, olive juice, lime, horseradish, celery salt and green tomatillo Green tomatillo.

The drink is served with a salt & pepper rim, garnished with pickled okra or for a $6 upgrade, a skewer of chicken wing, shrimp, bell pepper, onion, okra is added

24 Carrot Gold was created by William Peribellini at the Waldorf Pool

  • El Silencio Espadin
  • Fresh carrot juice
  • Fresh pineapple juice
  • Fresh lime
  • Agave
  • Garnished with pineapple slice and orchid

Cuisines

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