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June 29, 2014
At Home with Friends

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Mexican Fiesta Beverages & Summer Solstice Save the Date

    As you can see from the photos, we definitely had tequila that night. I also created a drink I call Tequila Surprise. It came about quite spontaneously. My friend Dano arrived early just in case I needed last minute help. I asked him to muddle some sliced cucumbers, add two fingers of tequila, […]

June 27, 2014
At Home with Friends

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What’s on My Table Mexican Fiesta

I hope the photo of the table for the Mexican Fiesta inspires you to create your own unique table setting. I love to mix high and low — the same way I like to dress. So, the dinner plates were handmade by a little old man called Paci whom I met at his store in […]

June 25, 2014
At Home with Friends

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Mexican Baked Rice & Black Beans

This rice tastes exactly like the rice I rolled up in buttered corn tortillas on Olvera Street, when I was a child. It’s a fairly starchy, moist rice. I used extra long grain enriched rice which is readily available at supermarkets. In other rice recipes, I use basmati or arborio rice but not here. This […]

June 23, 2014
At Home with Friends

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Veggie Tacos & Chipotle Sauce

I love the versatility of these tacos and the fact that I make the filling the morning of the party and keep it in a 200-degree oven or covered on the countertop until the party. Assembling the tacos is a great job to give to one of your guests. Be careful. I had a guest […]

June 20, 2014
At Home with Friends

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Crab Enchiladas with Roasted Tomatillo Sauce

When I have a party, I like to serve something a little special. Crab Enchiladas with Roasted Tomatillo Sauce are very special! If you hate crab, are worried that your guests won’t eat it or it’s too expensive where you live, you can substitute shredded chicken (breast or thigh meat, or a combo). Whatever you […]

June 18, 2014
At Home with Friends

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Guacamole & Fresh Mango Salsa & Pico de Gallo

  GUACAMOLE    EVENT: Mexican Fiesta SERVES: 10 – 12 people An appetizer and garnish for the Corn Cakes and Veggie Tacos.   Ingredients 10 – 12 avocados, peeled and chopped into chunks (retain 3 – 4 avocado pits) 2 jalapenos, finely minced 1 cup chopped red tomatoes 1 cup chopped cilantro Juice of 2 […]

June 16, 2014
At Home with Friends

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Cayenne Mexican Brownies with Chocolate Kahlua Frosting

I love these brownies! So much so that I must give away any leftovers, or I will be eating them for breakfast. These are definitely not your usual brownies. They have a hint of cinnamon and a touch of heat from the cayenne pepper. They are slathered with loads of yummy frosting. At the Mexican […]

June 13, 2014
At Home with Friends

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Jicama Salad

I love the fresh taste and crunchy texture of this salad. It’s a great balance to the rest of the menu. It keeps several days, and since there is no oil it doesn’t get soggy. “Ras el hanout” translates into “head of the shop”. The idea is that this was a very special blend made […]

June 11, 2014
At Home with Friends

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Corn Cakes

These are great to make ahead and freeze. This recipe calls for masa harina flour which is available at most supermarkets and all Latin markets. To make masa harina, dried corn is treated in a solution of lime and water which loosens the hulls from the kernels, which softens the corn. The soaked corn is […]

June 11, 2014
At Home with Friends

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Strawberry Creamsicle Pie

The beauty of this dessert is that it is incredibly easy to prepare and you can make it ahead and freeze it for several weeks. When you read the recipe, you may think it’s odd that it includes balsamic vinegar. Don’t worry, this won’t taste like salad dressing. No one will ever guess it’s the […]