Mexican dinner party menu, is this ok?

[TheLadyIsAVamp]

10 guests, 6 of which are very large eaters. No dietary requirements apart from no fish/seafood.

My plan is :
Pork carnitas (slow cooker)
Chicken fajitas (tray baked)
Mexican red rice
Refried beans
Cowboy caviar
Guacamole
Pico de Gallo
Pineapple salsa
Sour cream.

Will serve with tortilla chips and wraps,cheese, jalapenos and probably a green salad too. Trying to keep it as easy as possible hence the slow cooker and tray baked main components and a lot of the rest can be made before the guests arrive. Not sure what dessert if any I should serve? I'm not really a baker so anything easy or even shop bought would probably be best!

Sounds great. When can I come over?

Sounds lovely! I wouldn't change a thing.

it sounds delicious! I can’t think of anything else to add except chipotle chilli sauce - Cholula do one.

Mexicans (like all spanish cultures) serve flan for desert - just get a couple of large pre made creme caramels

Sounds lush! I'd love to have an invite x

Second flan for dessert or perhaps churros or tres leches cake.
I would swap fajitas for enchiladas. I don't think fajitas work well as a tray bake since they are typically served sizzling on a hot plate.

Margaritas

1.5 : 1 : 1 tequila : triple sec : fresh lime juice

Nachos Grande

Roast the carnitas. Get a big shoulder of pork, slow roast overnight, then pull apart and roast again with chopped up oranges, onions, garlic, and chilis.

Thanks everyone for the suggestions, I will have a think. I do have 2 large sizzle plates which you heat in the oven which I could use and I also have a table top teppanyaki type grill I was planning to use to crisp things up a bit. But I do love enchiladas so may consider switching to those instead. I have done the carnitas this way before and whilst they may be better in the oven overnight and I may try that in the future as I have to work the day or the party I'm trying to simplify it as much as I can! Will definitely be going for a flan of some description, I can hopefully find a good pre made one. Margheritas are definitely on the menu 😊.

That all sounds lovely. This book has some amazing recipes too if you like Mexican food. The tres leches cake is epic! amzn.eu/d/f0cSO9D

It sounds delicious. I agree that swapping out fajitas for enchiladas sounds appealing.

Fajitas as we know them originated in Texas although they are now available, primarily for Yankees, in Northern Mexico. (In Mexico a fajita is traditionally a cut of meat.) The meat can dry out easily in the oven. Cooking enchiladas in sauce keeps the meat moist.

I would swap Chicken fajitas for enchiladas or nachos.

Most Mexicans don't eat pineapple sauce.

I would make "agua de horchata" as a non alcoholic drink.

Menu looks fab. Buy loads of tortilla chips, I always find we get through more than expected.

I would do something fruity with ice cream for dessert - for example

Thanks everyone, I should have said I'm not really going for a strictly traditional Mexican theme so my pineapple salsa will be fine and I guesse thinking about it I am probably thinking more Tex mex 🤔 (my guacamole hating OH would be outraged if I didn't do his favourite salsa 😂). The crowd I'll be serving definitely don't need a non alcoholic drink option but I've saved that recipe for the future so thank you. I do love enchiladas but am torn as they feel like a standalone dish rather than the help yourself vibe I'm going for. I have done the tray bake chicken fajitas many times before and they've not dried out as the chicken is brined but am worried now. Would chicken tinga be a better option? Have a couple more weeks until the night so plenty of time for me to overthink it 😂

Chicken tinga sounds great, OP!

sounds fabulous. I’d do a tres leches cake for dessert.

I've had success with this dessert: https://thehappyfoodie.co.uk/recipes/mexican-rice-pudding-with-honeycomb/