| Looking for a fun birthday party theme, or just a | | | | browning over night, put Saran Wrap over dip |
| fun party theme for a get together with friends? | | | | with no air in between (push Saran Wrap toward |
| Consider a Mexican Fiesta party. Just think - spicy | | | | bottom of bowl to expel air). |
| Mexican dishes with a cold Mexican beer or a | | | | Salsa |
| margarita to wash it down with. Play some island | | | | Ingredients |
| music and leave some sombreros lying around - | | | | 4 medium fresh tomatoes, peeled and chopped |
| they're bound to be picked up and worn by some | | | | 1/2 cup finely chopped onion (up to 1 cup) |
| animated guests after sampling the Mexican beer | | | | 1/2 cup finely chopped celery |
| and margaritas. | | | | 1/4 cup finely chopped fresh green pepper (bell |
| Following are some tasty south-of-the-border | | | | pepper) |
| appetizer and cocktail recipes: | | | | 1/4 cup oil |
| Black Bean Quesadillas | | | | 2 tbsp finely chopped fresh green chiles |
| Ingredients | | | | 2 tbsp red wine vinegar |
| 2 burrito-size tortillas | | | | 1 tsp mustard seed |
| 1- 14 oz can of refried low fat black beans | | | | 1 tsp cilantro (coriander) seed, crushed (or fresh |
| 1 cup salsa | | | | cilantro leaves) |
| 1½ cups Mexican-style shredded cheese | | | | 1 tsp salt |
| ½ cup guacamole (homemade or from the | | | | Preparation |
| Deli store) | | | | Combine all ingredients. Cover and chill. Stir |
| 2 Tbsp sour cream | | | | occasionally. Serve with corn chips. |
| Preparation | | | | Margaritas |
| Preheat oven to 400 degrees F. Lay one tortilla | | | | Ingredients |
| on a flat surface. Spread the beans evenly over | | | | 1-½ oz tequila |
| the tortilla. Spoon ¾ cup of salsa over the | | | | 1 oz Grand Marnier Orange Liqueur |
| beans, then sprinkle cheese. Top with the second | | | | ¼ oz fresh lime juice |
| tortilla. Place the quesadilla on a foil-covered cookie | | | | Preparation |
| sheet. Bake for 15 minutes (cheese will be melted | | | | Shake 100% blue agava tequila with Grand |
| and the top tortilla will be crisp and brown). Mix | | | | Marnier and lime juice, and strain into a chilled |
| the guacamole and sour cream and pour into a | | | | salt-rimmed cocktail glass. Serve. Makes one drink. |
| bowl, add to a large plate, add another bowl with | | | | Tequila Sunrise |
| the remaining salsa, cut the quesadilla in 4 portions | | | | Ingredients |
| and transfer to the plate. Colorful presentation, | | | | 2 oz tequila |
| tasty appetizer or meal. | | | | 4 oz orange juice |
| Guacamole | | | | ½ oz grenadine |
| Ingredients | | | | Preparation |
| 3 - 4 Avocados depending on the size of the | | | | Pour Tequila and orange juice in a highball glass |
| avocados | | | | over ice and stir. Trickle grenadine on top. Makes |
| 1/4 or 1/3 jar salsa | | | | one drink. |
| Salt to taste | | | | Mexican Beer |
| 6 oz cream cheese (to stretch dip during high | | | | There are many types of Mexican beer. Pacifico, |
| avocado prices!) | | | | Dos Equis, Negra Modelo, Sol, Tecate and Corona |
| Preparation | | | | are some of the more popular Mexican beers. |
| Mix avocado chunks, lemon or lime juice, diced | | | | Find a reason to throw a Mexican Fiesta party |
| onions, diced tomato and cilantro. Mix by hand | | | | soon, whether it's for a birthday party or a get |
| with a fork until the consistency still has very | | | | together with friends, and enjoy some |
| small (1/8") chunks of avocado. Never use a food | | | | south-of-the-border-style fun. |
| processor for making guacamole. To prevent | | | | |