Toronto Restaurants by Stephanie Dickison

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Metro - How to Host a Mexican Fiesta

The top 3 things needed for a great Mexican fiesta are:

1.    Fabulous Mexican food and drinks
2.    Festive music
3.    Decorations

Instead of just serving the usual tacos, nachos and quesadillas, why not take popular ingredients used in Mexican cooking such as avocados, corn and limes and use them in a more interesting way?

Take The Perfect Grilled Chicken Burger, for example. Chicken breasts topped with Irresistibles Life Smart Bacon and avocado nestled in a ciabatta bun is summery and festive - and healthier than your usual barbecued beef burger.

A fantastic accompaniment?  Quick and easy Grilled Corn Salsa. It’s a great way to enjoy fresh sweet corn now in season in Ontario, and can be used to top your burger or as a vibrant side with tortilla chips. Since you’re getting tortilla chips anyway, you really should make crowd-pleasers Warm Jalepeno Dip and Refreshing Scallop Ceviche as well.

Thirst-quenching drinks are a must, especially when serving anything spicy. For a non-alcoholic beverage, Strawberry Lemonade is a sunny choice. For something more grown up, a Strawberry Daiquiri and Grapefruit Margarita won’t disappoint.

All you need now is some festive music – go all out with mariachi tunes or find a Mexican playlist that speaks to you - and then lastly, decorations. Fill the room with whatever you like – flowers, balloons, party hats – but to add an authentic touch, make or purchase cut paper garlands called 'papel picado' and be sure to get a piñata (psst! they are fun for all ages, not just the kids).

After all that eating and dancing, you'll want to take part in another Mexican tradition - a siesta.