Mexican DAY!

I am having a Mexican day at my house in the next few weeks.  I have 1 person who loves the "so hot it makes you sweat" stuff and the rest are just the average hungry people!

Everything from appetizers to drinks to entrees..I do have one of those quesadilla maker things too....Oh, and margarita glasses (of course).

Any suggestions?

[1nana]

Go with the traditional guacamole dip (providing you like avocados). You can make that from mild to hot.

A favorite of mine is the Cream Cheese and Black Bean Salsa Dip. Let me know if you want the recipe.

These both taste great with homemade tortilla chips.

Cheese enchiladas are fairly easy. You can prepare them ahead of time and then pop them in the oven at the last minute.

Don't forget the tequilla, lime and salt!

[peekawho]

Go to SEARCH THIS COMMUNITY above the Recent Activity sidebar.  If you type in Mexican or some other search term like that, you should find lots of good, easy recipes.

You can also click on Search the Archives at the top of the forum page.

[peekawho]

http://www.medhelp.org/posts/show/570315

I'm partial to this one.

[AndiJ78]

I made a delicious eggplant dish with mexican flavors, it was delicious, all three of my boys inhaled it!!

[Keynote]

You can always put some ground red pepper out on the table for the one who likes the hot stuff. He can sprinkle it on to his hearts content.

I usually make one pan of chicken with green sauce and one pan of beef with red sauce.
Left over roast makes WONDERFUL enchiladas.

[gracefromHHP]

http://www.foodnetwork.com/recipes/rachael-ray/charred-chili-relleno-with-green-rice-recipe/index.html  I've never made the rice part but everyone loves the charred poblano pepper part of this recipe! I make it all the time for everyone.  It's vegetarian and it's healthy ( as long as you go easy on the cheese - I tend to measure my cheese in inches on the food, not by the cup...he he he ).  Most of the time poblano peppers are just mildly hot but sometimes you do get a hot one!

Since you have a quesadilla maker - you can put out bowls with veggies  and cheeses and  meats and let everyone make up their own quesadilla - only takes a few minutes to heat them so it shouldn't delay the eating too much.  You could even have a few pre-made and cut up out for folks to start with.  Have a couple of different types of salsas out too and some sour cream for dipping.  Try things like havarti cheese and some of the gourmet cheddars with cranberries and chipotle peppers and such in too!

Also you can make a batch of chicken chili with white beans ( have a great recipe I can look up for you at home if you want it ) - keep it on the thicker side so folks can either have a bowl of it as chili or roll up a scoop of it with some cheese and veggies in a tortilla for a make it yourself burrito.  

also cowboy/texas caviar with a side of blue tortilla chips makes for a good appetizer while folks are standing around talking.  http://homecooking.about.com/od/vegetablerecipes/r/blv95.htm  You can also scoop that up and put it in a burrito or throw some in a quesadilla too.

I've found that when you just have bowls of ingredients out for folks to add the "heat" , spices, cheeses and veggies they like, it's easier to please everyone :)

grace

[Keynote]

I would like the chicken chili recipe!

[PlateletGal]

Some of us like it HOT !



Chilaquiles


6~8 corn tortillas, cut into eighths
3 T. oil
3 T. flour
salt/pepper to taste
dash garlic powder
1/2 cup grated cheddar cheese
2 cups water
4 T. chili powder
1/2 onion, sliced
1/2 cup sliced green olives
1.  Cut tortillas into eighths ~ triangle shape.

2.  In frying pan, heat oil and add flour.

3.  Dissolve chili powder in 2 cups water. Pour into skillet # 1 and add the salt/pepper mixture and the garlic powder to the flour/oil mixture. Stir well over medium heat.

4. In skillet # 2, saute onions in a bit of oil. Then add tortilla pieces to the onions and soften. After a couple of minutes, add the sliced green olives to the mixture and keep stirring.

5. Combine the ingredients from skillet # 1 to skillet # 2 ---- stir and cook for 5 minutes. After that, add grated cheddar cheese on top and turn the heat to low. Stir for another couple of minutes and serve hot.

[gracefromHHP]

White Bean Chicken Chili

Recipe By : Seattle Times, best 10 recipes of 1994

5 Points Per Serving



1 tablespoon olive oil

1 small onion -- peel/chop fine

2 medium garlic clove -- peeled/chopped

1 medium red bell pepper -- chopped fine

30 ounces white beans, canned -- undrained(two 15 oz. cans)

4 ounces green chiles -- canned/diced

1/2 teaspoon ground cumin

1 teaspoon chili powder

14 1/2 ounces chicken broth -- canned, low sodium

1/2 pound roasted chicken breast meat -- cut in 1/2 in. cubes

2 tablespoons lime juice

2 tablespoons cilantro -- minced

6 tablespoons salsa -- optional



In a large pot heat the olive oil over medium heat. Add the onion, garlic, and red pepper. Saute 5 minutes. Stir the white beans, chiles, cumin, chili powder and broth. Bring to a boil, reduce the heat and simmer 10 minutes. Stir in the chicken and simmer 5 minutes. Stir in the lime juice and cilantro. A tablespoon of salsa can be used to garnish each serving of chili, if desired.

Serving Size : 6


( when I take it to work I also take a jar of pickled jalapeno slices so folks can add more  heat if they want. you can also just put out the tabasco too!  )

[babypooh]

Very Easy "Chilaquiles" Recipe:
1 bag of fried tortilla chips (plain, they sell them at the grocery store)
1 dozen eggs
5-6 cans (8oz each) of spicy tomato sauce
In a big pan:
- cook the eggs, scrambled
- add the bag of tortilla chips, mix
- add the hot tomato sauce, stir, cover for a couple of minutes to allow the chips to soften just a bit
- serve with grated cheese :mozzarella, jack cheese, or mexican cotija cheese and chopped onion

Yummy!