Re: How to cook dinner for 34 friends

It’s Taco Tuesday!

If you recall from my 100 Days of Summer list, I wanted to host a summer backyard taco party (see #62) but it didn’t happen so I convinced Amanda to co-host this with me in November. Our thought was November is pretty drab, let’s party! The plan was pretty simple – invite some friends, make some tacos and decorate (obviously!).

A few weeks before the party we had a craft night – where Amanda, Sarah and I drank Moscow Mules, Amanda, Sarah and I watched Project Runway and Sarah and I watched Amanda make papel picado banners. They’re amazing as were the drinks and Season 14.

To make these fabulous Papel picado (Mexican tissue paper banners) you need tissue paper, string, scissors, a template (photocopied), lots of time AND lots and lots of patience. Amanda took 4 sheets of tissue paper – laid the template on top then folded and cut out each shape. With these showstoppers up, the only other decor needed were candles, lights and bright pink carnation flowers … voila! olé!!! A party!  Now for the food – after all, when TACO is in the name of your event, you must deliver. We kept it pretty simple but even so, there was a lot of pre-party prep involved. The great thing however, is once everything is ready and the guests arrive, you open the taco bar and let loose – only checking occasionally that nothing has run out.

Below is the menu we made because y’all will want to have a party too! The keyword is easy and the must-have tools are a slow cooker and food processor:

5 Ingredient Spanish Sangria (doubled)

The Classic Margarita (made a pitcher)

Three Ingredient Slow Cooker Taco Chicken (doubled and they ate it all)

Crock Pot Refried Beans (I almost doubled this, good thing I didn’t – it makes a lot!)

Triple Layer Guacamole Creamy Cotija and Confetti Salsa Party Dip (doubled)

Mexican Tortilla Rollups

Pineapple and Mango Skewers

Bowls of Tortilla Chips and Tostitos Multigrain Chips

Hard and Soft shells (buy more soft shells, people prefer them or need them for wrapping their hardshell!)

Bowls of toppings: salsa, tomatoes, guacamole, sour cream, cilantro and Pico de Gallo

Mango and Pineapple Salsa

Bowls of lemon and lime wedges

Red Cabbage and Cilantro Slaw

I totally recommend hosting a Taco Party! It was a great turn out with 35 adults + two babies but no kids. Who knows what’s next? I would like to dabble in the fine art of the cheese plate but as suggested, we may tone down the class a bit and call it a Wine and Chees’er with Beer Party.

What about you? Any favourite party themes?

psst. Adult parties > kids parties. Just sayin’

psst. I saw this the next morning and pulled a muscle laughing so hard. I posted it on Facebook with the status : Me, 24 hours ago.

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