Make it a fiesta with margaritas

Cinco de Mayo (May 5) is a day that commemorates the 1862 victory of a small Mexican militia over a much larger French army that was invading Mexico. This day has become a symbol of Mexican pride and unity, and it's a great way to celebrate Mexican culture, music and food.

I love to bring the fiesta home with colorful decorations, spicy foods and, of course, margaritas. This year I'm surprising my guests with two kinds of margarita goodness - creamy margaritas to drink and mock margarita bars for dessert. Both have bright, citrusy flavors that are the perfect companions to zesty Mexican food.

Citrus-Iced Mock Margarita Bars
Makes 16 bars.

Bar
1 cup plus 2 tablespoons all-purpose flour
1 teaspoon baking powder
1/4 teaspoon salt
3/4 cup granulated sugar
1/3 cup butter, softened
1/2 teaspoon vanilla extract
2 teaspoons grated lime peel
2 teaspoons grated orange peel
1 large egg
1 cup (6 ounces) Nestlé Toll House Premier White Morsels

Citrus Icing
1 1/2 cups sifted powdered sugar
4 ounces cream cheese, at room temperature
1 tablespoon butter, softened
1 teaspoon grated lime peel
1 teaspoon grated orange peel
2 teaspoons lime juice
1 teaspoon orange juice
1 to 2  teaspoons coarse sea salt (optional)

Preheat oven to 350º F. Grease 9-inch-square baking pan. COMBINE flour, baking powder and salt in small bowl. Beat sugar, butter, vanilla extract, lime peel and orange peel in large mixer bowl until creamy. Beat in egg. Gradually beat in flour mixture. Stir in morsels. Press into prepared baking pan. Bakefor 18 to 20 minutes or until wooden pick inserted in center comes out clean. Cool completely in pan on wire rack. Spread with citrus icing. Sprinkle with sea salt. Cut into bars. Store in covered container in refrigerator.  For citrus icing: Beat powdered sugar, cream cheese, butter, lime peel, orange peel, lime juice and orange juice in small mixer bowl until smooth.

Nutrition Information per serving: 250 calories; 90 calories from fat; 10g total fat; 7g saturated fat; 35mg cholesterol; 140mg sodium; 37g carbohydrate; 0g fiber; 29g sugars; 3g protein.

Creamy Margaritas
Makes 4 servings.

2 cups lime sherbet or sorbet
1 can (12 fluid ounces) Nestlé Carnation Evaporated Milk
1 cup ice cubes
2 tablespoons (1 shot) tequila (optional)
Coarse salt (optional)
Fresh lime slices

Place sherbet, evaporated milk, ice and tequila in blender; cover. Blend until smooth. If salted rims of margarita glasses are desired, dip rims into water, then salt and shake off excess. Pour margarita mixture into glasses. Garnish with lime slices.

Nutrition Information per serving: 210 calories; 50 calories from fat; 6g total fat; 4.5g saturated fat; 30mg cholesterol; 95mg sodium;
32g carbohydrate; 0g fiber;
32g sugars; 6g protein;
45 percent vitamin C;