Throwing a party last minute? Forgot all about it? Here are tips to help you save time preparing Mexican appetizers and still look like you spent weeks planning for it!
Salsa with bite!
Forget your store bought salsa, that will only look like you were in a rush. Instead, grab your blender, throw in the following:
2 large (or 3 medium sized) tomatoes
1 onion, peeled
1 teaspoon of salt
1 teaspoon of lemon pepper seasoning
1 bunch of cilantro
Blend until the ingredients are diced in small pieces, pour in a fancy bowl, add a decorated serving spoon and garnish with a little more cilantro. Try to make a heap out of it if you can!
This salsa recipe will take your guests straight back to Mexico in a bite!
Lemon Guacamole
Meanwhile, get your guacamole going. You’ll need:
2 avocadoes, peeled and pitted
½ an onion, chopped into small tiny pieces (you can use the blender for this if you want)
½ a red pepper, also chopped finely
1 teaspoon of salt
1 full and juicy lemon, or about 6 tablespoons of lemon juice (or to taste)
Put it all together in a bowl and mash with a fork. When it’s nice and blended, rinse off one of the pits and use as decoration on the side of the bowl. Stick in a decorated serving spoon and you’re good to go!
Go a little extraordinary and serve the above recipes with something other than plain nacho chips. Try a flavoured nacho, such as cheese or guacamole, even jalapeno. Also, serve a healthier option, such as multigrain nachos or Sun Chips.
Cheese, jalapeno and sour cream hot nacho plate
This is a classic. Here’s what you need:
1 bag of nacho chips
1 – 1 ½ cups of grated cheese
1 cup jarred or canned diced jalapenos
1 cup of sour cream
It’s simple really. You spread out the nacho chips on a large plate (but that can still fit in the microwave). Sprinkle the cheese and jalapenos on top and microwave about 1 minute. Make way in the middle of the plate for a small bowl of sour cream, garnished with cilantro if you like. Serve it while it’s hot! (And if it cools down, it’ll still taste good!)
Coloured nacho, goat cheese & spinach salad
This one will give a bit of colour to your table while also providing a healthier alternative that still has the flavourful crunch to it.
Your ingredients:
1 bag of store-bought, pre-washed and cut spinach
1 cup of goat cheese, crumbled
½ yellow pepper
2 – 3 cups nacho chips, slivered if available
Balsamic vinegar and oil dressing, to taste
Mix it up in a salad bowl and don’t forget the serving tongs my friends!
For drinks, Dr. Pepper and Mountain Dew would be nice accents on your visitors’ taste buds. Keep some coffee around too.
Now all you’ve got to do is get the piñata and sombreros! …and the main meal of course…