Big Mexican Fiesta

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Why recepie famous for?

Round up the amigos for a Mexican Fiesta! The suggested menu plan below is a great low-effort one with wow factor. Plenty for making ahead and the Carnitas freeze perfectly! See recipes linked to each dish, or where not linked, directions are below. Cook time includes slow cooking time for Carnitas.

Ingredients

MEXICAN FIESTA MENU PLAN (AS PICTURED IN POST):
Muuton Carnitas
Restaurant style salsa (doubles as taco sauce + dip)
Authentic Guacamole
Pickled red cabbage (Note 1)
Warmed tortillas
Homemade tortilla chips (see below)
Grilled corn (See below)
Sour Cream
Chopped white onions (Note 2)
Coriander/cilantro leaves (whole or chopped)
Lime wedges
OTHER PROTEIN OPTIONS:
Marinated Chicken for tacos
Lime marinated chicken
Chicken Fajitas
Mexican Shredded Chicken
Beef Fajitas
Mexican Shredded Beef
Fish Tacos
OTHER SIDE OPTIONS:
Pico de Gallo
Queso Dip (stays silky when cool!)
Mexican Corn Salad
Avocado Corn Salad
Mexican Grilled Corn with Chipotle Adobo Sauce
Pig Out Salsa (Chorizo and Corn)
Mexican Red Rice
Refried Beans (Note 3)
Shredded Cheeses
Avocado Slices (instead of guac)
Hot Sauces
Sliced Jalapeno

Instructions

Choose one or two proteins, then sides of choice. See linked recipes for directions (except tortilla chips and grilled corn, see below).
Main Taco Filling Selection: The most convenient big batch protein is Pork Carnitas because it freezes great and only requires a quick pan fry to freshen up, and stays good for several hours (tips are in Carnitas recipe notes). The Shredded Chicken and Beef are almost as good (pork is slightly juicier) and stored similarly. The next simplest is Fish Tacos because it's very quick to cook, then just put them in a serving dish and break into chunks with fork. If you want to use one of the chicken recipes to make ahead, use boneless thigh fillets, cook, then keep whole, cover and cool, reserve every drop of leached juice. Before serving, chop/slice, cover and microwave reheat.
Taco Fixings: I like to have at least one fresh thing to stuff in tacos (pickled cabbage is my choice in this Fiesta), + a sauce (the Restaurant Style Salsa,) + avocado in some form (guac or slices or in Pico de Gallo) + coriander/cilantro. Chopped white onion is very common in Mexico, and Tex Mex fans such as myself will almost always have sour cream and shredded cheese too!
Other Sides: Tortillas + things to stuff in tortillas usually makes for a satisfying meal in itself, but to round things out I usually provide a salad or vegetables of some form. Plain grilled corn is very on theme!

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