Fiesta Ideas

s517

Okay, so I"m planning this big surprise party for DH's 30th birthday. I'm going with a Fiesta theme so the food and decorations will be easy and on the affordable side.

I'm doing a taco bar with 4 different types of meats. I am pretty much copying Chipoltle's catering menu. I'm doing a salsa bar. I'm doing some bean and rice sides.

What other food should I have around- like for before dinner? I don't want to overdo the mexican food theme, but I don't want to do random foods that don't seem to fit.

Also, I'm having beer, Sangria, Frozen Margeritas, and tequila. How much beer should I get? I'm planning on 60 people to be safe.

Thanks!!

TarHeels&Rebels

I threw a fiesta e-party last year.  I'd never thrown a Mexican party before, so I learned a lot of what to do and what not to do.  I think the nest has archived/eaten/deleted posts from that long ago, and I'm in the middle of moving, so my entertaining journal is packed up.  Lemme recreate the menu from photos...

Beer'garitas (fantastic and easy - something I make regularly now - you wouldn't think they taste authentic, but they do)

Chips & salsa

Tex-Max shrimp cocktail (very good and a nice healthy-ish option)

Chicken and beef tacos

Rice

Beans

Mexican chocolate cake (fine)

Tres leches cake (stupidly labor intensive for only an ok payoff)

 

Whatever you do for the chicken, do not bake it in the oven.  Please, please make it in the crockpot and save yourself the torture I put myself through lol.  Chicken + packet of taco seasoning + jar of salsa + 4 hours on high or 8 hours on low = easy shredded chicken every.single.time.  It's our regular taco filling now and I wish I had discovered it before the party.

I think more people will go for margaritas or sangria than beer, so I wouldn't go crazy unless your guest list is heavily men.  I'd get maybe 48 beers.

During planning, I made a Pinterest board you can find through the link below.  I think it's got something like 125 pins - worth checking out!  I think it's near the bottom of all my boards.

Jim&Jaime

http://jaimecooks.wordpress.com/2011/08/28/mexican-inspired-dinner-party/

 http://jaimecooks.wordpress.com/2010/05/02/cinco-de-mayo-dinner/

 

 

s517

Thank you thank you!! I am looking at the recipies and pinterest boards now! I am planning on doing each of the 4 meats a day that week in crock pots. My husband will be at work so I can easily make mass quantities of meat to reheat on the party day. I am having a lot of men, so I'm going heavy on the beer....and I figure whatever isn't gone we can drink this summer!

wejustwant2:)

Hi!  Thought I'd chime in since I LOVE Fiesta's.  Taste of Home's website has several great recipes for this theme.  Their Turkey Enchiladas and Zucchini Enchiladas recipes are great - tried and true. They also might have some cute appetizers for you.  If you don't want to go too overboard with theme - maybe try to add fresh fruit skewers and a fresh crudite.

I also really like this drink:  It is a Blue Margarita...

 http://www.marthastewart.com/283628/blue-parrot?search_key=blue parrot

It can be made in advance and  frozen in batches.  I freeze the leftovers in plastic jars (ie empty Mayo container) and then defrost under running water and shake really well.

@ Jaime and Tarheels - loved reading your menus.