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No, This isn't my photo. But I had to include something to inspire! |
Tip #1 - Be sure to plan a versatile menu. For example, grilled steak and chicken for tacos or fajitas, all the fixins (grilled peppers and onions, shredded cheese, chopped tomatoes, sour cream, salsa, soft flour tortillas and hard corn taco shells), Easy Fiesta Rice (recipe below), and Fiesta Black Beans (recipe below).
Tip #2 - Decide whether the fiesta will be kid-friendly or adult-only so you can plan beverage selections accordingly. Popular kid's beverage selections are limonada (lemonade) or Mexican soda (Jarritos is a popular Mexican soda available in many fruit flavors and found in the international foods section of your local grocery retailer). Popular adult beverage selections are traditional or strawberry margaritas or sangria.
Tip #3 - Spring a little on some decorations to create the perfect ambience! Your local party store is sure to have some Fiesta-themed items that are fairly inexpensive, such as piñatas, paper lanterns, and chile pepper lights. You can also include some floral elements that you can keep around even after the party is over. My favorite is a big vase full of sunflowers! They are relatively inexpensive and usually last up to seven (7) days after the party ends. Another great table decoration is a Mexican serape blanket. These come in many bright, inviting colors and really add to the party theme! You can find them relatively inexpensively at local home décor stores like Pier 1 or Home Goods or, if your in Texas or Southern California, pick one up! We got one on our last trip to San Diego for only $15 - $20...best part, it's reusable as a blanket!
Tip #4 - It's your fiesta - make sure you get to enjoy it! Be sure to plan your snacks, meal, and drinks accordingly so that you are not stuck in the kitchen or at the grill the entire time while your guests live it up. Some helpful suggestions--prepare all your fixins in advance (day before, if possible), have your serving table decorated ahead of time, have drinks in a tub full of ice where everyone can help themselves and enlist a friend to be the designated "bartender" for drinks like margaritas or sangria, and even grill your meats ahead of time and keep covered and warm in a low (250 degrees) oven. You'll be doing the Mexican Hat Dance before you know it!
Now for the promised side dish recipes!
Easy Fiesta Rice
Cook time: 10 min. Prep time: 15 min.
Ingredients:
1 tbsp. vegetable oil
1 medium green bell pepper, seeded and chopped
1/2 of an Anaheim chile pepper, seeded and chopped
2 cups reduced sodium chicken broth
1 cup water
1 cup prepared thick and chunky salsa
3 cups instant long grain rice (MINUTE brand works best)
1 - 10 oz. package frozen corn, thawed
Directions:
In a large 3-quart saucepan, heat oil on medium-high heat. Add bell pepper and Anaheim chile pepper and sauté for 3-4 minutes until peppers are soft.
Add chicken broth, water, and salsa to the saucepan with the pepper and stir well to blend all ingredients. Bring to a boil.
Stir in instant rice and corn. Reduce heat to low, cover, and continue cooking 5-7 minutes until rice is tender and corn is heated through.
Serving suggestion--cheese never made anything bad! Transfer fiesta rice to a serving dish and sprinkle the top with 1/2 cup shredded cheddar cheese before serving!
Fiesta Black Beans
Cook time: 45 min. Prep time: 15 min.
Ingredients:
1 tbsp. vegetable oil
1/2 of a small white onion, finely diced
1/2 of an Anaheim chile pepper, seeded and chopped
3/4 tsp. Goya (R) Adobo seasoning (without black pepper)
1/2 tsp. ground cumin
1/4 tsp. ground ancho chile powder
1/8 tsp. ground black pepper
2 - 30 oz. cans frijoles negros (black beans), drained and rinsed
2 cups water
Directions:
In a large 3-quart saucepan, heat oil on medium-high heat. Add onion and Anaheim chile pepper and sauté for 3-4 minutes until soft. Stir in all spices and cook for 1-2 minutes.
Add black beans and water and stir well to blend all ingredients. Bring to a boil. Reduce heat to low and simmer approx. 40 minutes.
As they would say in Spanish, "Tener una gran fiesta!" Be sure to share your feedback (as a comment to this post) and also share any other fiesta ideas you may have tried in the past!
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