This year I was part of the Cinco de Mayo celebrations at a fun Pop Up event held bang in the middle of the busy Victoria Station in London by OldEl Paso . A celebration of all things Mexican Cinco de Mayo means the 5th of May on Spanish and marks the triumphant victory of Mexican forces over a heavily armed attack by the French forces in the state of Puebla in 1862.
Old El Paso pop up causes a stir at London Victoria
Though it was not a parade or an energetic dance troop entertaining passerby’s in colourful costumes – as is the way the celebrations happen in U.S.A and Mexico, the pop did manage to cause quite a stir! Chef Andy Bates cooked up some fresh and delicious fajitas for us and pleasantly surprised commuters using Old El Paso. With a few fresh ingredients in tow, he cooked up a delicious treat in minutes.
To spatchcock the chicken, the spine was removed. Then Andy marinated a whole chicken with Old El Paso roasted tomato and pepper fajita seasoning mix. The best part was though the super soft Old El Paso flour tortillas into which it was wrapped with lettuce some , beans, gucamole and salsa on top.
Chef Andy Bates preparing Spatchcock Roast Chicken with a Mexican style rub
You can check of some cool videos of Chef Andy Bates cooking up Mexican meals with Old El Paso ingredients on the Food Network UK website.
Old El Paso makes kits that you can buy and make delicious meals in minutes but did you know that you can buy various ingredients to create something special on your own too? I particularly like the squeezy chunky guacamole , canned refried beans and bottled sliced red and green jalapenos.
Old El Paso Ingredients
Whatever it is you are after tacos, fajitas, quesadillas, whether you want to fix a tasty side dish or rustle up a big main meal for friends there are many products in their arsenal that could help you create a feast in minutes.
So if it’s the soft and toasty, oven baked tortillas that are calling out to you, why not combine then with some chunky salsa, and twice cooked, crunchy nachips today? Or if you want tangy prawns then why not make it #fajitafriday with a little recipe inspiration from Old El Paso? Find the recipe here
Old el Paso Fajita Friday
Whatever Mexican feast you cook up, don’t forget to stock up your larder with some handy Old El Paso ingredients. I am off to make some Ol El Paso Mexican Taco’s now – buh -bye!
*With thanks to Old El Paso U.K for inviting me. No monetary compensation was offered for a positive review. All opinions expressed here are entirely my own.
Sylvia @ Happiness is homemade says
May 29, 2015 at 7:55 pmLove El Paso fajitas 🙂 Always have them as an emergency food if I run out of ideas or simply don’t have time to make anything else 🙂
manjirichitnis says
June 1, 2015 at 12:05 pmI normally only had the sliced jalapenos as I loved tossing them into salads! But now am certainly going to be stocking up on much more than just that.
Kitty Kaos (@kellykaos) says
May 30, 2015 at 7:55 amI love mexican food so el paso is very popular in my household x
manjirichitnis says
June 1, 2015 at 12:05 pmYes we love it too and have always been a fan of the Old El Paso kits, so handy!
Foodie Quine (@foodiequine) says
June 1, 2015 at 11:48 amI’d see the phrase “Cinco de Mayo” appearing in social media last month but had no idea what it was. Thanks for enlightening me! I love Maxican food.
manjirichitnis says
June 1, 2015 at 12:03 pmFrankly before I went for the event I hadn’t the foggiest what it was! But now we know! I must say I have never really made so much Mexican food in a week as I did last week , tacos and 2 rounds of fajitas and am not yet bored!
Dannii @ Hungry Healthy Happy says
June 1, 2015 at 12:45 pmI have been seeing the advert for this. I love ol el paso products – so quick and easy.
manjirichitnis says
June 1, 2015 at 1:35 pmYes quick easy and a great way to ensure that lazy evenings or sudden guests can be catered to without panic!
Emily @amummytoo says
June 1, 2015 at 3:30 pmLove Old El Paso for a quick, easy meal.
manjirichitnis says
June 5, 2015 at 4:50 pmYes Indeed Emily , the products are store cupboard essentials!
Lucy @ BakingQueen74 says
June 1, 2015 at 3:40 pmI didn’t know what Cinco de Mayo was really either, but know El Paso is a great option when you have the urge for tacos or fajitas!
manjirichitnis says
June 1, 2015 at 4:45 pmYes me too found out only on the day! LOVE Tacos I made some on Friday with spicy lamb mince ummmm
Heidi Roberts says
June 2, 2015 at 9:16 pmWe have Old El Paso nights from time to time – I think they are great for a quick and tasty supper.
manjirichitnis says
June 5, 2015 at 4:48 pmYes Heidi the Old El Paso definitely save the day when laziness strikes or exhaustion or both !
karen278 says
June 3, 2015 at 8:18 amFabulous! My birthday is the 5th of May and maybe that’s why I love Mexican food so much – I am a FIESTA baby!! Karen
manjirichitnis says
June 5, 2015 at 4:48 pmCouldn’t agree more Karen you are really positive and cheerful person and Fiesta Baby sounds about right!! 🙂
recipesfromapantry says
June 3, 2015 at 8:21 amSounds like a fab event Manjiri – Look forward to you sharing more Mexican eats on your blog.
manjirichitnis says
June 5, 2015 at 4:47 pmYes it was quite a different type of promotional event and fun in a way, I have been making tacos and fajitas all of last week with ingredients from my goody bag, great fun!