THE DINNER PARTY

FORGOTTEN WHAT IT’S LIKE TO ENGAGE IN ADULT CONVERSATION, FINE FARE
(READ: ANYTHING BUT MAC AND CHEESE) AND GOOD OLD-FASHIONED FUN WITH YOUR
FRIENDS? YEAH, US TOO. HERE, ILANA ECK, AKA THE HIP HOSTESS, GIVES YOU HER
TIPS FOR AN EASY, AFFORDABLE AND MUCH-NEEDED NIGHT AT YOUR ROUNDTABLE.

FIESTA! MAKE A RUN FOR THE BORDER WITH THIS MEXICAN-THEMED DINNER PARTY

Summer is the perfect time to throw a fiesta-themed party. Vibrant colors are in season and a south-of-the-border menu includes some simple, no-cook recipes and delicious frozen drinks that will help keep you cool in the kitchen.

SETTING THE SCENE

Whether planning your fiesta for indoors or out, there are many simple ways to set a festive scene for your party. Follow Mexico’s colorful tradition and decorate with vibrant colors like cobalt blue, red, yellow, orange, green and pink. Mix several colors and tie them together with colorful tablecloths, flowers or striped napkins containing several colors.

Sombrero “Wreath”
Start by welcoming guests with a large sombrero hung on your front door. Hang it as you would hang a holiday wreath, using a wreath hook, fishing tackle or colorful ribbon to hold the sombrero in place.

Mexican Cutout Banners
Hang traditional papel picado banners, which are thin sheets of colorful paper cut into elaborate designs. The banners are available online and are fairly inexpensive. For an authentic look, buy banners made of thin paper (though plastic banners may be more readily available and are equally festive).

Blanket Tablecloths
Use a traditional striped or diamond-patterned Mexican blanket as a tablecloth or table runner. If you are eating outside, lay several Mexican blankets on the ground to form a casual seating area. Set out small side tables, stools or trays around the blankets to provide a resting place for drinks. For an indoor party, cover your couch, chairs or floor with Mexican blankets to add a festive (and spill-proof) look to your living space.

Hip Tips

• Use margarita glasses instead of candy dishes or snack bowls to serve candy, nuts or other snack items.
• Use leftover scraps of colorful ribbon as an inexpensive way to add color to your fiesta. Tie ribbons around the handle of serving utensils, the handle of your water or margarita pitcher, the backs of wooden chairs or on doorknobs throughout your party space. 

PARTY GOODS

In keeping with your casual urban BBQ theme, use disposable paper goods instead of dishes. Be sure to buy sturdy plates to hold all the juicy meats and salads. Use colored chargers underneath your disposable plates for added flair. Put out lots of extra napkins for burgers or anything else that will get topped with messy condiments.

Hip Tips

• Keep bottles of beer and other drinks cool in large galvanized tubs filled with ice, or fill your sink with ice and stick bevies in there.
• Cover an empty six-pack carton with wrapping paper and use it to pass condiments such as ketchup, mustard and barbecue sauce. 

THE MENU

A flavorful menu filled with fresh and fiery ingredients is perfect for a Mexican fiesta party. If you would like to cut down your time in the kitchen, use some store-bought salsas and dips to supplement your main entrée. As long as you keep the frothy drinks flowing and the blender going, your fiesta party will be a great success.

Food Menu
Sweet and spicy toasted pepitas
Warm peach salsa and goat cheese dip with cumin-dusted pita chips
Tortilla chips with salsa fresca, chipotle salsa and guacamole
Black bean enchiladas
Chipotle-citrus slaw
Melon ball fruit skewers with honey-lime dressing
Mexican chocolate brownies

Drinks Menu
Mexican beer, such as Corona or Negra Modelo
Frozen flavored margaritas, such as peach, pomegranate or prickly pear

Hip Tips

• A fun menu option is to create a taco bar. Set out warm flour tortillas, salsas, guacamole, shredded cheese, sour cream, taco-flavored ground beef or turkey and let guests load up their plates with their favorite combinations. This option is particularly fun if kids are on the guest list.
• Serve some authentic Mexican sodas as a nonalcoholic drink option. Jarritos is one of Mexico’s national soft drinks and is available in exotic flavors like tamarind, mandarin, fruit punch, lime, grapefruit, guava, pineapple and strawberry. Find it at a Mexican grocer or online.
• In addition to ice-cold beer, serve vodka-spiked lemonade and mint or peach iced tea sweetened with agave nectar instead of sugar.
• Set out several bottles of hot sauce—both Mexican and domestic—to spice up your food.
• Buy several different types of limes, such as Persian and key limes, and place bowls filled with lime wedges on your bar and on your buffet or dining table.

*Recipes are available at www.hiphostess.wordpress.com.

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