Ideas for a Mexican themed meal/party.

[Imtoooldforallthis]

Looking for ideas, recipes, links for a Mexican themed party. Bonus points for things to prepare and make ahead. Preferable not too messy to eat so although I might do tacos, enchiladas, quiesadillas I'm looking for something bit different and also some things not to spicy for some of the quests.

It’s the extras that make it.

Homemade guacamole
Regular salsa
Mango salsa
Pickled pink onion slices
Sour cream
Mamaosa tortilla chips

Empandadas- really easy to hold/eat

Oh yes I agree, they are all going on my list.

lovely! mexican salad with has cooked rice, sweetcorn, red kidney beans, tomatoes, avocados, lime, chilli, onion and coriander. Fresh.

Corn on the cob, grilled on BBQ if you can, with a sprinkling of chilli powder, lime, and a bit of mexican cheese.

I'm looking forward to this already. Any favoured recipes for Empanadas.

Tres leches cake is an amazing desert!

There’s a lovely Mexican salad with sweetcorn and a kind of Mexican cheese that’s like feta - called cotija or something similar I think?

Sweet potato and black bean makes an amazing veggie quesadilla filling

Lots of guacamole, salsa and tortilla chips

Tequila

I had a flight of tequila at my Mexican hen do - made a change from a flight of wine. (and surprisingly it isn't just a drink for downing when you are bladdered already at the end of the night.....).

And Margaritas to get the party started!

Try this recipe for Chili Colorado - it's a bit tricky trying to get hold of the right chillies (I found them at Spices on the Web) but well worth the effort. Despite the amount of chillies, it's not really hot - but full of flavour. Also this recipe for barbacoa is good. Serve either (or both) with Mexican rice. You can get the Caldo de Tomate from Amazon (I use Knorr).

This beef recipe is so easy and delicious

www.recipetineats.com/mexican-shredded-beef-and-tacos/

Plenty of margaritas, corn with sour cream, feta and coriander and lots of fresh salads and guac!

Delinately going to do the chilli colorado, I've ordered the chillies.

No caldo de tomate to be had anywhere.

A pinata cake! You cut it open and it is filled with sweets (like Smarties).

You could try using tomato powder instead of the cube - I just checked Amazon and there's a variety available :) Might need to up the salt in the recipe if doing it this way.

Tomato powder ordered.

Mexican slaw & guacamole from Thomasina Meyers cookbooks. Also sweet potato fries with chipotle Mayo (mix chipotle paste with Mayo).

Do I need Thomosina Myers cookbook (any excuse to buy a new cookbook).

And if so which one?

Check out Mexican Grocer - amazing supply of Mexican goods.

Get Mexican table cloths, a pinata, play mariachi band music.

Sorry - Mexgrocer.

tbh, I'd do a big Chile con carne, maybe a veg one, and tons of tortilla chips/salsa.

and margaritas of course

Now I really want Mexican!

I would suggest having a buffet set-up such as "make it yourself" nachos and tacos. That way you can cater to everyone's tastes and preferences (vegetarian, dairy-free, gluten-free) and it's easier by putting bowls of proteins and condiments.

If you must have warm food, have fajitas because of ease and the ability to cater to tastes.

I'm loving the idea of chile colorado, in fact I made some yesterday and it is nice to have something a bit different than a usual "Tex-Mex" party. To complete the dish, add tomato rice with corn, carrots and peas and retried beans. That's how we do it in my family.

I would also add aguas frescas which are fruit juices and are perfect for everyone. It's essentially puréed fresh fruit with water and sugar to taste. The most common are: watermelon, lime/lemon, pineapple.

If you must have Mexican music, please play Mariachi Vargas de Teclalitlan. They are one of the most celebrated mariachis and I believe you can find a mix of their versions of mariachi/bolero standards on YouTube.

I just realized I didn't mention desserts.
I probably forgot because I don't actually like them as I tend to have my sugar in drinks.

Tres Leches is a good idea (I personally don't like it) but a crowd pleaser for my family gatherings are "paletas" or fruit popsicles. The most popular flavors in my part of the world are coconut, strawberry, lime and mango.

Jello tequila shots.

They were the firm favourite at our mexican party years old.

People fell over a lot....