Mexican food is rich is taste, color and texture. From crunchy tacos and nachos, to soft warm fajitas, Mexican cuisine provides the wonderful assortment of sweet, salty and spicy dishes that every buffet needs. In order to create a fantastic buffet, sure to please even your most finicky guests, just follow these simple instructions.
Instructions
1. Set out the appetizers and munchies. Tortilla chips can be store bought, or fry up your own. Simply tear flour or corn tortillas into bite size pieces, then saute in a bit of butter or oil, until light and crisp. Serve crisp tortilla chips with assorted condiments, cheeses, meats and vegies, for a great beginning to your Mexican buffet.
2. Concoct your own condiments. Salsas can range in taste from very hot, to mild and sweet. A tomato salsa is made with fresh chopped tomatos, green and red chilli's, diced onion, and green pepper. Prepare tomato salsas in both hot and mild varieties, and be sure to label them clearly. Another salsa which simple to prepare, and sure to be a hit at your buffet, is an authentic pineapple salsa. Mix equal parts of diced fresh pineapple, with diced, fresh ripe tomatoes. Chop several tablespoons of fresh cilantro. Add a few teaspoons of diced onion or green pepper, if you desire. This sweet salsa is a wonderful compliment to tortilla chips, as well as other Mexican dishes. Also be sure to have plenty of hot peppers, and cool sour cream on hand, as well. Guacamole adds a festive look to the buffet, and is a wonderful compliment to appetizers and main dishes.
3. Offer several meat selections. Use warming pans, or chafing dishes to keep the meat hot.-Chicken breasts may be cut into strips, then seasoned with salt, pepper, cumin, and a bit of chili powder. Saute in a skillet with slices of green, yellow, and red pepper, and sliced or diced onion. -Seafood, such as shrimp or crab, can be cooked in a small amount of butter or oil, and served with a squeeze of fresh lemon, and a touch of cilantro.-Season ground beef with cumin and chili powder. Add a dash of Tabasco for fire, if you prefer.-Cut steak into thin strips and cook with bell peppers and onions.
4. Serve up a variety of breads. Soft flour and corn tortillas can be warmed prior to serving. Wrap each tortilla in a festive colored napkin after heating. After heating, place crunchy taco and tostada shells on an electric skillet, and set the temperature to low.
5. Grate spicy pepper jack cheese, sharp cheddar, and Colby longhorn. Place within easy reach of appetizers and main dishes.
6. Shred lettuce into a large bowl. Arrange next to diced tomato, onion, green or red bell peppers, jalapeno peppers, and black olives.
7. Heat refried beans in a large bowl. Top with grated cheddar cheese, as well as diced onion, tomato and green pepper.
8. Spice up your dessert selections. Coffee cakes and spice cakes work very well to complete the perfect Mexican meal. If you can manage it, consider serving a Cinnamon and sugar topping with plain vanilla ice cream as well.
Tags: diced onion, green pepper, onion green, appetizers main, appetizers main dishes, bell peppers