Cinco de Mayo celebrations call for bold, vibrant flavors that honor Mexican culinary traditions while adding your own creative twist. Many fans of Chef Paul may not know that in addition to his mastery of Cajun and Creole cuisines, he had a special passion for Mexican cooking.
In the early days of K-Paul’s Louisiana Kitchen, Chef Frank Brigtsen (who later opened the acclaimed Brigtsen’s Restaurant) recalls that “Wednesday was Mexican” on the restaurant’s rotating menu. “Paul was a wonderful cook of Mexican food,” Brigtsen noted, highlighting another facet of Chef Paul’s diverse culinary talents.
This love for Mexican flavors is reflected in many of Magic Seasoning Blends products, particularly Fajita Magic® – designed to capture the traditional flavors of Mexico and the American Southwest with its warm heat and fresh aromas. Today, we carry on Chef Paul’s appreciation for Mexican cuisine with these recipes that combine Magic Seasoning Blends with Mexican-inspired dishes for a festive fiesta.
Classic Guacamole
No Cinco de Mayo celebration would be complete without guacamole! Our version features the perfect blend of 5 ripe avocados, fresh lime juice, and a touch of Meat Magic® for added depth. With chopped onions, tomatoes, jalapeños, and optional cilantro, this chunky dip is simple to make but impossible to resist.
Chile Lime Queso
This creamy, zesty queso combines Magic Chile Lime Seasoning™ with fresh and pickled jalapeños for the perfect balance of heat and tang. The red bell peppers add a touch of sweetness, while the blend of Velveeta Queso Blanco, Pepper Jack, and sharp cheddar creates an irresistibly smooth texture. Garnished with green onions and served warm, this queso is perfect for dipping tortilla chips or drizzling over nachos at your Cinco de Mayo celebration.
Fajita Magic® 7-Layer Dip
This show-stopping layered dip combines refried beans, andouille sausage, black beans and cheeses – all enhanced with Chef Paul Prudhomme’s Fajita Magic® for an unforgettable appetizer. Baked in a cast iron skillet and served with avocado-sour cream dip, this crowd-pleaser disappears quickly!
Crawfish Enchiladas Con Queso
Fusion at its finest! These incredible enchiladas blend Louisiana crawfish with Mexican spices. Seasoned with Chef Paul’s Seafood Magic® and smothered in a creamy cheese sauce, they perfectly marry Gulf Coast and Mexican cuisines. Works equally well with shrimp!
Creamy Poblano Quesadillas
These aren’t your ordinary quesadillas! Seasoned with Fajita Magic® and filled with poblano and jalapeño peppers, shallots, and a rich cream sauce with mozzarella and parmesan, these quesadillas deliver bold, satisfying flavor in every bite. An easy crowd-pleaser that elevates a Mexican classic.
Fajita Beef Nachos
Crispy tortilla chips topped with savory ground beef, sautéed onions and red peppers seasoned with Chef Paul Prudhomme’s Fajita Magic®. Finished with melted Mexican cheese and your choice of toppings like sour cream or cilantro, these nachos make a perfect casual meal or shareable appetizer.
Tres Leches Cake
End your celebration on a sweet note with this traditional Mexican dessert. Our Tres Leches Cake is perfectly moist, sweetened with Sweetie Magic®, soaked in three milks and topped with vanilla cream frosting. It’s the perfect finale to your Cinco de Mayo feast.
Whether you’re hosting a full Cinco de Mayo celebration or simply enjoying these flavorful dishes any day of the year, Magic Seasoning Blends help you create authentic-tasting Mexican-inspired cuisine with ease. As Chef Paul often said, “Food should be fun,” and these recipes certainly deliver on that promise.