With the economy in such a slump it may be difficult to take the family out for a nice Mexican dinner. So why not prepare your own and a fiesta right in your own dinning room. You can set it up buffet style so there is need for a waiter/waitress. Grab some festive "Mexican theme" sturdy paper plates and napkins and the only clean up will be the pots and pans you used to prepare the dishes. You can even pick up a few inexpensive decorations at a party store or dollar store such as; maracas, red, white and green balloons, and a sombrero for each family member or guest. Here are my favorite recipes for quick and easy Mexican food. Keep in mind not all Mexican dishes have to be spicy hot, I prefer mild but you can adjust the recipes by simply adding a few tablespoons of your favorite "hot" seasoning to all of these dishes. FAJITAS Ingredients 4 cups of meat (beef, turkey, chicken, steak) your choice - cut it into bite size pieces. 1/2 cup oil 1/3 cup onion 1/3 cup peppers (diced) 1/3 cup tomatoes (diced) 1/3 cup taco seasoning - Add the oil to the pan and let it get warm. - Saut the onions, and peppers for 5 minutes. - Add meat of your choice, sprinkle the taco seasoning over the meat as it cooks, and cook until meat is done. - Mix in the tomatoes and stir the mixture. - Serve with shell of your choice. RED BEANS and RICE Ingredients 3 cans red kidney beans 3 cups white rice (cooked) 1 onion (diced) 2 jalapeno peppers (diced) - optional 1/2 pound salt pork 2 tablespoons of oil 2 cups of water - Add the oil to the frying pan. - Caramelize the onions and peppers about 10 minutes - In a medium sauce pan and the 2 cups of water and boil the salt pork for about 20 minutes. - In another medium sauce pan add the 3 cans of bean (with the juice), simmer for 30 minutes. - Drain the beans in a strainer till all the liquid is gone. - Put the beans back in the sauce pan and add the salt pork, onions and peppers and stir. - Continue cooking for 10 minutes, remove the alt pork (you can leave any pieces that fell off.) - Get your cooked rice out and warm it up then pour the bean mixture over the top of it. BURRITOS Ingredients 1 pound of meat (your choice)-cooked 1 medium onion (diced) 1- 12 ounce can of refried beans - warmed up 2 cups of shredded lettuce 1 cup of fresh tomatoes (diced) 2 cups of shredded cheese (any type) 1 cup of sour cream 1 Jar of taco sauce or salsa 1 - 8 count package of soft flat tortilla shells - Preheat the oven 325 degrees and warm your shells for 10 minutes. - Lay out all your ingredients, place the meat in the center in an even layer, and then add your beans and the other ingredients in a layer format. - Wrap your burrito - tuck the ends in and roll the shell. - You can use sour cream, guacamole or salsa to dip the burritos in if you would like. No Mexican dinner party is complete without an authentic beverage and dessert. AGUA DE MELLON OR CANTALOUPE JUICE Ingredients 2 quarts of water 1 whole cantaloupe 1/3 cup of sugar 2 tablespoons of water 1/4 of ice cubes - Pour the water into a 2 quart container - Cut the cantaloupe in half, scoop out the seeds - Cut the melon into small pieces - Using a blender place the melon pieces, 2 tablespoons of water and 1/4 of ice in the blender and blend for about 2 minutes, until it is a liquid consistency. - In a 3 quart contain pour in the melon mixture and the 2 quarts of water. - Add the sugar and stir well. SOPAPILLA CHOCOLATE CHEESECAKE Ingredients 2- Frozen pie crusts (defrosted) 1- 8 ounce package of sour cream (softened) 1/4 cup of melted margarine or butter 3 tablespoons of chocolate coco 1 cup of sugar - Preheat the oven to 350 degrees - Place one pie shell in a 9 inch pie dish - In a large bowl combine the softened cream cheese, melted margarine/butter, chocolate coco and the sugar. Mix well. - Pour the bowl of mixed ingredients into the pie shell. - Place the other pie shell on top and make 3 or 4 small slits in the tops crust to allow the steam to be released. - Bake for 15-20 minutes, until the pie shell is a nice golden brown. - Let cool. All of these recipes serve six people. Serve and enjoy your at Mexican themed dinner party!
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