Help with Mexican themed party

[lostinthekitchen]

we're having a party on Sunday...I kinda wanted a mexican theme, but the thing is, i dont know much about cooking mexican food... We've always liked enchiladas, fajitas and good ol tacos...can anyone please HELP me......What's the best way to cook all three?????
THANKS!!!!

[texasgirl]

Taco buffet for one. Have all the ingredients separate for everyones different tastes. You'll let lots of ideas for this. Lots of Mexican food lovers here. Just sit tight and by the end of the day, you'll have loads of good ideas.

[vyapti]

Tacos are always a hit at my house. You could make enchiladas ahead of time. Arroz Con Pollo (chicken & rice) is another favorite of mine. If you can cook the day before, I would definitely make a homemade salsa and shredded beef or chicken for whatever you make.

If you need recipes, just ask. You'll get lots of responses.

Good luck. I love mexican food.

[urmaniac13]

Yeah, I am with TG, buffet should be the way to go. Prepare loads of tortillas, then taco meat, grilled chicken strips, blackbeans, chopped tomatoes and lettuce, cheese, then a few different kind of salsas, guacamole, sour cream and pico de gallo, then everyone can assemble their own taco/fajita/burrito to their own liking!! sounds like a lot of fun

[Constance]

Don't forget the guacamole! That's my favorite Mexican food.

Here's a good cheese ball that will also be a tasty treat for your guests:


Fiesta Cheese Ball

1 1/2 cups chopped pecans
1 (1 ounce) envelope taco seasoning, divided
16 ounces cream cheese, softened
1 tablespoon green Tabasco sauce (I use Louisiana Hot Sauce)
1 tablespoon seeded and diced jalapeno pepper
1 tablespoon diced red onion
1 cup seeded and diced red bell pepper
8 ounces shredded Colby-jack cheese
4 ounces Velveeta cheese

Preheat over to 300 degrees F.

Place pecans on a small baking sheet and toast in oven for 15 to 20
minutes. Remove from oven and toss with 2 tablespoons taco seasoning;
set aside.

In a large bowl of an electric mixer, beat cream cheese, remaining taco
seasoning and Tabasco sauce until smooth, about 2 minutes. Add jalapeno,
onion, bell pepper, Velveeta and Colby-Jack cheese. Stir to combine. Using a
rubber spatula, shape cheese into a large ball. (I make 2 small ones or a log).

Place a large sheet of plastic wrap on counter top, sprinkle reserved
seasoned nuts over plastic. Roll cheese ball in nuts, coating entire
outside of ball.

Bring sides of plastic wrap up around ball to seal. Wrap in additional
layer of plastic wrap to seal. Place cheese ball on a plate and
refrigerate several hours until firm.

[Ripliancum]

Here are two ideas for a good Mexican drink. One is Horchata, which is a little more difficult to make. It’s made with rice, sugar and cinnamon, water and milk. The other is jamaica, which is really easy to make if you can get it. It’s just a dried flower, that you boil, strain, and then add sugar. It’s really easy and really good. It's almost like kool aid. Sometimes regular grocery stores will carry the flower, or any Latin American store will have it. Good luck.

[CharlieD]

if you search for my posts you'll find the whole huge thread on Mexican food party I did couple of month ago.

[BreezyCooking]

You can easily do a Mexican beef or chicken "filling" in a crockpot & set crisp taco shells & soft tortillas, along with various toppings, for folks to "make their own".

Also guacamole & chips, obviously. And chicken & Mexican or Spanish rice or a big Paella if you're into seafood.

A big tossed green salad, sangria, & margaritas should complement everything.

[katluvscake]

I just started making mexican food and I have come to love pico de gallo. You could make a mexican salad. Take a large flour tortilla, place cheese on the bottom, then rice and beans, then a mexican style meat (shredded chicken works really well) then romain lettuce, pico de gallo and guac.
A lime vinaigrette to top it all off. It is a fun way to please everyone and have them build their own salad.

[ironchef]

Instead of going strictly Mexican, why not do a Latin theme instead? That way, you can incorporate Spanish, Cuban, Ecuadoran, etc. and not limit yourself.