Cinco De Mayo recipes on Twin Cities live + a culinary trip to scandinavia
- tjmatson17
- 4 days ago
- 3 min read
A Culinary Tradition
Stop in to Anoka Meats and grab everything you need to celebrate Cinco De Mayo in style. From Beef Cheeks for Barbacoa, Ground Beef Taco's, or a Mexican Caesar Salad with Grilled Shrimp - we have it all. And while Anoka might not be the first place that comes to mind for Cinco de Mayo festivities, Minnesota hosts some of the most lively and meaningful celebrations in the Midwest. At the heart of it all is the West Side neighborhood of St. Paul, home to one of the largest Cinco de Mayo festivals in the region.
Each year, thousands gather along Cesar Chavez Street for a weekend filled with energy and tradition. What began decades ago as a local cultural event has grown into a major festival that highlights the richness of Mexican heritage while bringing together people from all backgrounds.
The Festival Experience
West Side Cinco de Mayo Festival (St. Paul)
This is the largest and most important Cinco de Mayo event in Minnesota.
When & where (2026):
May 1–2
Cesar Chavez Street, West Side of St. Paul
What happens there:
🎊 Parade (Saturday morning)
🎶 Live music + folklórico dancing
🌮 40+ food vendors with authentic Mexican food
🚗 Car show (including lowriders)
🛍️ Artisan market (handmade goods)
👨👩👧 Family zone with games and activities
🎤 Cultural performances all day
This festival has been running since 1985 and draws 10,000+ people, making it a major cultural event celebrating Mexican heritage and community pride
You can follow along and watch Teena's segment on @TwinCitiesLive here for tips and tricks on making her favorite Mexican Caesar Salad, and get the Pineapple Agua Fresca Mocktail recipe. AND for more recipes and updates on cooking classes and upcoming tv shows, please follow Teena on Instagram @teenajoyanderson.
Click on the image below to watch the segment!
Mexican Caesar Salad (Jalapeño Caesar)
PREP TIME: 15 min | SERVES: 2
For the Dressing:
• ¼ c. mayonnaise
• 3 Tbsp. extra-virgin olive oil
• 1 Tbsp. anchovy paste or 2 anchovies
• ¼ c. water
• 1 tsp. Dijon mustard
• Juice of ½ lemon
• ¼ c. cilantro leaves
• 1 garlic clove
• ¼ tsp. black pepper
• 1 pinch salt
For the Salad:
• 6 c. chopped romaine lettuce
• ½ c. pickled onion
• ½ c. sweet corn kernels uncooked
• 3 Tbsp. shaved Parmesan cheese
• ½ jalapeño thinly sliced
• 1 avocado thinly sliced or cubed
• 2 hard boiled eggs sliced
• Optional: shrimp or rotisserie chicken, pickled red onions, diced tomato, cornbread croutons
Directions:
1. Combine all dressing ingredients in a food processor and blend until smooth.
2. Refrigerate dressing until ready to use.
3. Toss chopped romaine in a large bowl with a pinch of sea salt and freshly ground black pepper.
4. Divide romaine between two plates.
5. Top with pickled onions, corn, Parmesan cheese, jalapeño and avocado.
6. Drizzle dressing over the top and serve.
Advice:
• Add more mayonnaise or Greek yogurt to thicken dressing if desired.
• Leftover dressing keeps in the refrigerator for up to a week.
• Use fresh corn kernels sliced directly from the cob when in season for best flavor.
Pineapple Agua Fresca
PREP TIME: 5 min | SERVES: 4
Ingredients:
16 oz. fresh pineapple chunks
4 c. water
Juice of 1 lime
2 Tbsp. honey or more to taste
Tequila to taste (optional)
Fresh mint for garnish (optional)
Directions:
1. Place all ingredients in a blender and pulse until smooth.
2. Strain the liquid into a pitcher and discard the solids.
3. Refrigerate until ready to serve.
4. Garnish with fresh mint if desired.
Advice:
• Adjust honey to taste depending on pineapple sweetness.
• Add tequila for an adult version of this refreshing drink.
CULINARY TRIP WITH TEENA now available for booking:
Want to take a culinary trip with me as we travel through Scandinavia and visit the Christmas Markets in Sweden, Denmark & Norway? Step into the enchantment of Scandinavias's Christmas Markets and savor its seasonal culinary treasures. It's the perfect blend of holiday shopping, city exploration and gourmet discovery - all wrapped in the warm - cozy charm of the season. You can get trip information right here!
TIME TO BOOK! TOUR DATES: December 2nd through 11th, 2026. Your hosts for this tour are: Teena Anderson - butcher shop owner, TV chef, & Nordic cooking instructor; Patrice Johnson - food and culture writer, cookbook author, and Nordic food instructor; Carstens Smith - fod writer and Program Coordinator at Norway House. Want to go with?
There are only 30 spots available, we fly together, dine together, and site see together on this trip of a lifetime across Scandinavia - to all 3 countries and you can book on this link to join us on all the fun.
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