Fiesta! Part I
Mexican Theme Party Ideas

In this issue of Party Yak:


Mexican Theme Party Ideas

Get out your huaraches and peasant shirts and blouses 'cause it's Fiesta Time! Let's start with the food. Everybody loves Mexican party food. Of course, what we call dinner fare they often call snacks. Here are a few of their best snacks.

Mexican Party Food Recipes

These are cheese-stuffed green chiles, battered and fried golden brown. Delicious. This is not exactly the traditional method of preparation, but easier, and even my authoritative guests don't know the difference. So open that can, guilt-free.

1 (27-ounce) can Ortega whole green chiles
6 ounces Monterey Jack or Mozzarella cheese
3/4 cup all-purpose flour
5 large eggs, beaten
1/4 teaspoon salt
1/4 teaspoon baking powder
Oil for frying

Drain the chiles well and blot with paper towels. Cut the cheese into sticks the same length as the chiles and roughly 1/4" thick X 1/2" wide. Gently stuff the chiles. Beat the eggs in a medium bowl. Add the dry ingredients and whisk together with the eggs until smooth. The batter should be fairly thick, like waffle batter. Dip the chiles into the batter and fry in 1" of hot oil, about 375°, for 1-2 minutes on each side, until golden brown. Drain on paper towels. Arrange on a platter, and serve with salsa, (below) if desired. Makes 16-18 rellenos. __________________

Beef Tacos

A make-your-own-taco bar is often the most practical arrangement for your Mexican theme party, but if you can swing it, serve hot, freshly prepared tacos like these. Your guests will love it.

1 pound lean ground beef
1 teaspoon cumin
2 teaspoons chili powder
Pinch of salt
9 ounces Monterey Jack or Mozzarella cheese, shredded
2 1/2 cups lettuce, shredded
1 dozen 6" corn tortillas
Oil for frying

Brown the ground beef and drain all but a tablespoon or two of the grease. Stir in the cumin and chili powder. Keep warm.

Lightly coat a large non-stick skillet with oil and bring it to medium heat. When hot, dribble another half dollar-size spot of oil in the skillet. (The more oil the crispier the taco shell.) Place a tortilla over the spot of oil and 'twirl' it a bit to coat it thoroughly.

Place a large spoonful (2 tablespoons) of ground beef across the center of the tortilla. Sprinkle almost as much cheese on top of the meat. Then place a generous portion of lettuce behind the meat and cheese, toward you, and fold in half. Heat through. Repeat for each taco.

(Tip: Slide the front edge of the tortilla up the side of the skillet about an inch, bring the opposite edge to meet it, and hold it closed for a few moments with a spatula. Gravity keeps the contents from spilling out.)

In a large skillet, 2 or more tacos can be heating while a third is being assembled. More on a griddle. Transfer hot tacos to a warming tray or serving platter; reheat, if necessary, before serving. Serve with Guacamole (below). Makes 1 dozen tacos. __________________

Guacamole

For 1 dozen tacos:
2 small tomatoes
2 small avocados
1 small onion
1 teaspoon lemon juice (optional)

Coarsely chop the tomatoes, avocados and onion. Mix. If you prefer, stir in a little lemon juice to preserve the avocado.

More Fiesta Food from Great Party Recipes

7 Layer Dip
Spicy Guacamole Dip
Avocado Dip
Black Bean Dip
Mexican Cheese Fondue
Jalapeno Hushpuppies
Salsa
Super Nachos

• Use bright Latin colors. Oranges and reds, pinks and yellows, and lime green are appropriate.
• Hang the traditional celebration banner flags; they're inexpensive, effective, and authentic.
• Piñatas are both decoration and entertainment; hang at least one.
• Use terra cotta pots liberally. Lined with plastic wrap, they make excellent serving dishes. And they're a natural for holding lots of bright paper flowers which you can purchase (see the Mexican Party Supplies link) or you can make your own.
  • How to Make Tissue Paper Flowers, Giant Size Version: For each flower, stack 6-10 full sheets of tissue paper, either of one bright color or several colors alternately, and fold them accordion-style. Round the ends with scissors, popsicle-stick shape. Now pinch the middle of the accordion and secure it with florists' wire. The wire serves as the stem, which you can wrap in green florists' tape, if you like. Carefully separate the sheets of tissue, bringing the side edges together to form a multi-layered flower.

    Smaller flowers can be crafted using fewer and smaller sheets of tissue, and securing them with a pipe cleaner.

• For lighting, string colored lanterns or chili pepper lights, and arrange clusters of candles.

• Decorate the walls, indoors or out, with maps of Mexico or travel posters, serapes, lace scarves, sombreros, vintage south-of-the-border costumes, or large fans.
• Mexican retro-style postcards make wonderful invitations, as do the 'margarita' invitations pictured.
• If a Mariachi or Salsa band is out of the question, you can always find the music on disk.

Many of the items suggested above can be found on this Mexican Theme Party Supplies page.
_________________________

One of the great things about a Mexican theme party is that laid-back quality of it, especially after a margarita or two. Enjoy Fiesta! Part II : Tequila and Tequila Drink Recipes .

Liane



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