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"\n\tAdvertisement - Continue Reading Below\n\t\n\n\n\nSummer is almost over, but it's not too late to plan the perfect fiesta just-because. Invite your amiguitas over for a kick-ass time minus the exhausting party planning duties. Here are the five things you need for a fun, simple backyard bash, Latin-style. 1. BebidasIt's never a party without cocktails. Here are three of our faves.Aztec Summer3/4 ounce Tequila Don Julio Blanco1/4 ounce Apertif Wine1/4 ounce Mezcal1/4 ounce agave syrup1/4 ounce fresh lime juiceCucumberCucumber slices for garnishMuddle cucumber in a cocktail shaker. Add Tequila Don Julio Blanco, Apertif Wine, Mezcal, Agave Syrup and Fresh Lime Juice into cocktail shaker with ice. Shake well. Strain contents into a rocks glass with fresh ice. Garnish with cucumber slice. Yield: 1 drinkBlueberry Sangria1-1/2 cups ready-to-serve blueberry juice1-1/2 cups chilled white wine or apple juice1/4 cup orange-flavored liqueur, optional1 orange, sliced1 lemon, sliced1 cup fresh blueberries1-1/2 cups chilled lemon-lime soda, such as SpriteIn a 2-quart pitcher, combine blueberry juice, wine and liqueur, if used. Add orange and lemon slices and fresh blueberries. Chill until ready to serve. Just before serving, stir in soda. Serve in tall glasses over ice cubes, if desired. Yield: 6 servings (about 1 quart liquid)Blueberry Mojito1 cup fresh mint leaves1 tablespoon fresh lime juice1 teaspoon sugar4 tablespoons blueberries, fresh or frozen, divided1/2 to 3/4 cup lemonadesplash of club soda1 ounce light rum1/2 ounce dark rumMint sprig and lime slice, for garnishIn a tall 16-ounce glass, add mint leaves, lime juice and sugar; mash the ingredients with the back of a spoon or a \"muddler\" until fragrant. Add 2 tablespoons of the blueberries and mash until juicy. Fill the glass three-quarters with ice. Add lemonade until the glass is two-thirds full. Add splash of soda, light rum and remaining blueberries; stir. Slowly pour dark rum into the drink so it floats on top. Garnish with a sprig of mint and slice of lime; serve immediately. Yield: 1 portionTip: Use plastic margarita glasses. They're cheap, disposable and complement any drink. We love these neon ones. (http://www.walmart.com/ip/Plastic-Neon-Margarita-Glasses/16474731)2. Chips and DipYou can go out and buy simple tortilla chips, but you have to try Chef Pep\u00EDn's delicious blueberry-pineapple salsa. Trust us, he paid CFL a visit and won us over with this one!Blueberry-Pineapple Salsa2 cups fresh blueberries1 cup finely diced pineapple1/4 cup diced red onion3 tablespoons chopped fresh cilantro1/2 table spoon grated lime zest1 jalapeno pepper, seeds and membrane removed and minced2 to 3 tablespoons fresh lime juicesaltCombine blueberries, pineapple, onion, cilantro, lime zest and half of the jalapeno in a medium bowl. Stir in 2 tablespoons of the lime juice and salt to taste. Add additional lime juice and jalapeno, as needed. Yield: 3 cups3. El Men\u00FAWe're so sick of the traditional hot dogs and hamburgers. Here are a few simple recipes to spice it up!Grilled CornShuck corn (remove husks) and remove silk. Spray each ear with vegatable spray. Place directly over heat on medium-hot grill. Rotate when dark spots appear and kernels deepen in color (usually about 2 to 3 minutes) until ears are uniformly cooked (usually 10 to 12 minutes). The ear will be speckled with char spots. Add salt and serve with butter.Quick Cuban-Style Churrasco Skirt Streak3 pounds beef skirt steak, cut long3 heads garlic (about 30 to 40 cloves) 2 teaspoons salt1 teaspoon black peppercorns\n\tAdvertisement - Continue Reading Below\n\t\n\n1 and 1/2 cups sour orange juice1 cup onion, minced2 teaspoons oregano1 cup olive oilMash garlic, salt, and peppercorns into a paste, using a mortar and pestle. Stir in sour orange juice, onion, and oregano. Let sit at room temperature for 30 minutes or longer. Whisk the garlic-orange juice mixture with the olive oil until well blended. Place the meat in a large bowl or pan. Add enough mojo marinade to cover the meat. Place a cover over the bowl or pan and place in the refrigerator a minimum of five hours, but preferably overnight. Grill the marinated steaks outdoors on the barbecue. (Make sure your coals are hot and white!) You can cook them however you like your steak \u2013 from rare to well done.Blueberry Waldorf Salad\n\n1 cup fresh or thawed frozen blueberries, divided1/4 cup vegetable oil2 tablespoons orange marmalade2 teaspoons lemon juice1 teaspoon Dijon mustard1/4 teaspoon salt4 cups (about 4 ounces) baby spinach1 tart apple (e.g. Granny Smith), cored and thinly sliced2 ribs celery, cut into 1-1/2-inch matchsticks (about 1 cup) 1/3 cup pecan or walnut halves, toastedTo prepare dressing: In a blender container, combine1/2 cup of the blueberries, oil, marmalade, lemon juice, mustard and salt; blend until a smooth, thick dressing forms. In a bowl, toss spinach with apple slices, celery, pecans and remaining 1/2 cup blueberries. Arrange equally on four serving plates. Just before serving, blend dressing again until smooth; drizzle over the salads. Serve immediately.Grilled Pineapples1 pineapple (cut in wedges) 3 T butter (melted) 1 T honey (brown sugar or Karo syrup are fine if you don't have honey) 1 tsp lemon juice (lime is fine also) Melt the butter in a small sauce pan. Add the honey and lemon juice. Stir until mixed in evenly. Use a small kitchen brush and coat pineapple slices. If you don't have a kitchen brush, then get a big baggie. Pour in the sauce. Shake up the pineapple slices. Put the slices on the grill. Heat (medium hot) until you see grill marks (3 to 6 minutes depending on the heat). Turn and grill the other side.4. DecorationsIf you want to go simple on the decorations, we are loving this luau-style set that comes with plates, cups, cutlery, balloons and a curling ribbon. If simple is out of the question, try a mariachi theme. Shop for bold colors like turquoise, red and green for your tablecloths.If you need extra light, opt for multi-colored paper lanterns like these or you can even bring out the old Christmas lights and wrap them around the tables, fences, doors or trees.5. MusicA backyard barbecue should be fun and upbeat. Try a mix of hot dance tracks like raggaeton, salsa, merengue and bachata. Make a playlist ahead of time or create several stations on Pandora.com and keep them on shuffle. Here are some artists we love, new school and old school:Daddy Yankee, Zion y Lennox, Don Omar, Shakira, Pitbull, Aventura, Prince Royce, Elvis Crespo, Hector Lavoe, Marc Anthony, Celia Cruz, Eddy Herrera and Selena."^^<http://www.w3.org/2001/XMLSchema#string>
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