I need ideas for impressive looking but easy to make Mexican food. Any ideas?

[Apolloanddaphne]

We are having virtual dinner on Friday with DD1 and her OH. The theme is Mexican and we are also doing cocktails. They are fab cooks and are doing slow cooked lamb with Mexican spices and tortilla's plus all the bits. I want to make something equally splendid that is not just fajitas out of a kit. I can cook fine, but I don't do a lot of Mexican food even though I love it. We also live in a rural area and our supermarket can be a bit rubbish for unusual ingredients. I also have a Marks nearby. It is the sort of thing I would go for when out for dinner.

Anyone got ideas to inspire me? Links to recipes would be great! Thanks

Quesadillas - joe wicks does and nice butternut squash and black bean one.

Fish tacos - small tortillas, battered fish goujons, shredded lettuce, and mayo with a bit of hot sauce 🤤

Black bean and butternut squash tacos - roast the butternut squash, cook the black beans in honey and cumin till soft, layer into a small tortilla sprinkle cheese - feta or goats, sour cream and hot sauce

All washed down with margaritas

God I'm hungry 😋

I made a kind of enchilada without rice last week that DS was very complimentary about.

Marinate chicken cubes in cajun spices and a drop of olive oil overnight. Saute with an onion, red and green pepper, and garlic. Add two tablespoons of creme fraiche, 200ml passata, a tablespoon of smoked paprika, and a fajitas type mix (I used a coconut and chilli one). Cook down until the sauce is thickened, then make a really thick cheese sauce. Spread a third of the cheese sauce on the bottom of a baking dish, roll the meat mix up into tortillas (I used 4 but there are only 2 of us), put them on top of the cheese sauce in the dish, then pour over the remaining cheese sauce, then top with grated mozzarella. Bake on gas mark 6 for about 25 to 30 minutes.

Ceviche?

Loads of delicious sounding ideas! Mojitos are Cuban, though, but you could substitute the rum for tequila? Not sure how that would taste however!

The cocktails don't need to be Mexican.

It's just a bit of fun really.

Margaritas

Squeeze the juice of lots of fresh limes

Then take one part fresh line, one part triple sec then one and a half parts tequila

no.one.will.care.about.the.food

Baja Fish Tacos

What @Racheyg said. Sounds yum.

I have a recipe for Mexican beer which DS told me about the other day. You need a bottle of lager, like Sol or Corona. (Or whatever you have to hand. ) Squeeze the juice of half a lime into the bottom of a lager glass or similar, add a good pinch of salt and a few drops of hot sauce (to taste). Throw in a few ice cubes then top up with the beer.
He says it's very refreshing....

What about tacos al pastor? Just don't use the achiote paste and use different chilis.

www.olivemagazine.com/recipes/meat-and-poultry/tacos-al-pastor/

I would go for some ceviche (perhaps served on tostadas) or some taquitos stuffed with beans and cheese served with a tasty dipping sauce. Both tasty and impressive without taking too much time to make.

www.nospoonnecessary.com/baja-shrimp-ceviche-tostadas/

40aprons.com/bean-and-cheese-taquitos/

If you have a mini chopper/food processor this can be made in minutes as a side.

www.google.co.uk/amp/s/www.bbcgoodfood.com/recipes/best-ever-chunky-guacamole%3famp

I have decided to make this

www.goodhousekeeping.com/food-recipes/a42403/carnitas-tacos-recipe/

I have bookmarked this thread. I love Mexican food, and have now got bored with the kits. I see a Mexican dinner coming on in the next few days.

these are the quesadillas i was talking about. They are so moreish www.theguardian.com/food/2019/jan/17/joe-wicks-recipe-barbecue-butternut-quesadillas

or I forgot to add Tom Kerridge does amazing sweet potato burritos
www.bbc.co.uk/food/recipes/sweet_potato_and_black_27156 i add a ton of hot sauce, sour cream and jalapenos

Slow cooked shredded beef with soft shell tacos, fresh pico de gallo, and fresh guacamole always looks amazing! The colours are fab and vibrant and it tastes bloody lovely. I want a Mexican themed night now

www.196flavors.com/mexico-paloma/

A different Mexican cocktail if you don't want a margarita.