Party Panache, Get Festive with a Fajita Bar
If you’re dealing with a case of the winter or Covid blues,
here’s an easy way to have some fun~
Create a fajita bar!
I’ve been spending the weekends in our family bubble…
HHjr and his boys, and DD and her family…
Our temps were going to be in the 50s Saturday,
perfect for being on the patio with a fire~
“What are you thinking for dinner?” I asked HHjr
“How about fajitas?” he replied
Great idea, we can have a Fiesta!
Let’s make it a party!
I’ll set up a colorful buffet
and everybody can make their fajitas the way they want to
We can put chips in the sombrero
like we did for that Mexican party
with bowls of salsa on the side
“I was thinking I could make margaritas,” he said
Yes!! Fun!!
HHjr makes a delicious “skinny” margarita
with fresh lime and orange juice,
tequila and a dash of grapefruit Topo Chico sparkling water
{printable recipe at the end of this post}
He grilled a combination of red and yellow peppers,
and red and white onions on the outdoor griddle
The griddle makes quick work of cooking so many things~
next he grilled marinated chicken strips and steak
He put the meat and vegetables in small tin pans
and kept them warm in the oven until we were ready to eat
We had grated cheese and warmed tortillas,
and to keep it simple,
he bought guacamole, salsa and queso dip at the grocery store
and found these yummy Choco Tacos
as a surprise for the kids for dessert
I set a simple table in the dining room
I grew up with a mother that insisted on proper dining manners,
so it’s important to me than my grands learn
how to properly sit at a table and dine
Everyone filled their plates in the kitchen
then we sat down and had a wonderful time!
This would be a great for the Super Bowl this weekend too!
Even if it’s just your family,
setting up a special buffet can make if feel like a party~
The decorations were simple,
a large pitcher filled with oranges, lemons and limes
and a stemmed glass of fresh cilantro
A Taco Soup Bar is another similar idea
Make the soup in a slow cooker
and provide tortillas and bowls of toppings
You can read all about it here
A Fajita or Taco Soup Bar are wonderful ways to feed a group,
and if you’re feeling energetic,
make Strawberry Margarita Tacos for dessert
Treat yourself to a little party!
Fresh Citrus Skinny Margaritas
Ingredients
- 2 oz tequila
- 1 oz Topo Chico grapefruit water sub Perrier, sparkling water, or club soda
- 1/2 lime squeezed and use juice only
- 1/2 orange squeezed and use juice only
- salt for rim optional
- crushed ice or cubes
Instructions
- Coat rim of glass with a wedge of lime or orange and dip into a plate of finishing salt to coat rim if desired
- Place tequila into a glass and add water, juices, and ice of choice
Notes
Fajita Bar
Ingredients
- steak, cut into thin slices
- chicken, cut into thin slices
- favorite or bottled marinade
- red and yellow bell peppers, sliced
- red and white onions, sliced
- Spanish rice, prepared as directed
- Mexican Bean Bake
- salsa
- grated extra sharp cheddar cheese
- prepared queso dip
- sour cream
- guacamole
- flour tortillas
- tortilla chips
Mexican Bean Bake
- 1 can black beans, rinsed and drained
- 1 can refried beans
- 1 cup sour cream
- 1 Tbsp taco seasoning
- 4 oz grated cheese
Instructions
- Marinate steak and chicken in separate bags or bowl for 4 hours
- drain meats and grill until done
- Grill or roasted sweet peppers and onions until soft
- Wrap tortillas in foil and warm in the oven
- Keep meat, tortillas and vegetables warm until serving
Mexican Bean Bake
- Combine ingredients and bake at 350 degrees for 20-30 minutes until hot and bubbly
Buffet
- Provide plates, tongs for serving meats and vegetables, and spoons for serving toppings
- Set out bowls of sour cream, grated cheese, guacamole, salsa, queso
- Set out Mexican Bean Bake and cooked rice
Juicy Details
We also had Mexican Bean Bake
Spanish Rice made from a mix
Fajita bar leftovers make a wonderful main dish salad!
Spray tortillas with olive oil spray and drape over an oven proof bowl or tin foil ball on a baking sheet. Bake at 350 for 15 minutes or until crispy.
Fill the bowl with grilled meat, refried bean casserole, chopped crisp lettuce, sauteed vegetables, Spanish rice, and top with cheese, salsa, guacamole, or drizzle with queso
Have Fun!!
I will be joining these fabulous parties and blogs:
Sundays on Silverado Love Your Creativity Over the Moon
Between Naps on the Porch, Celebrate Your Story,
All About Home/ Common Ground Follow the Yellow Brick Home
Tasty Tuesday Oh My Heartsie Girl Turn About Tuesday
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Fabulous food, family, and fun! Your chef and you always make wonderful food for every occasion and for everyday! Enjoy your day, Jenna!
Thanks Pam, even though it was just our family, it really felt like a party!
Mouth watering for the food, eyes watering for wanting that weather to enjoy! What fun. You lucky dog!
Thanks Rita, the weather is crazy in winter here, warm one day and freezing the next!
What a fun idea! I love the sombrero platter, and my favorite hot sauce!
Thanks Dorothy, the kids loved getting chips from the sombrero!
You all have so much fun! Yummy food and family fun! Perfection!
Thanks Nancy, we did have fun 🙂
So fun and festive. And I love the pitcher filled with the lemons and limes! Perfection!
I would have loved this meal Jenna! It’s been a while since I’ve fired up a grill and I think it’s time:@)
Aren’t you buried in snow??
Anything that speaks of Mexican food offers limitless possibility for a happy table.
Yes, it always feels festive too!
Ole` ! How fun! Count me in, great food and fellowship, how can you beat that? I can always eat good Mexican food. I lived in Texas for 8 years and New Mexico for 4, so it quickly became my food of choice. My mouth is watering! 😄
Thanks Cyndi, we eat Mexican food at least once a week, and it’s perfect for any occasion…I bet you have some wonderful recipes after living in Texas and New Mexico!
Yum Jenna! I would love HHjr’s margarita as I’m not a fan of sweet and sour mix! ♥
I don’t like the mix either Mary, his version is light and refreshing, plus a lot less calories 🙂
Wow, great way to enjoy cooking and sharing meals with family. I love how you set up for parties, you have so many pretty serving pieces and you are so creative with the ideas. I would never have thought to use the sombrero to server chips, love that. The food looks so delicious, now if I just had one of those margaritas!!! Or two 🙂 Happy Friday……..
Thanks Emily, I love any excuse to play with dishes!
What a fun family dinner–a fiesta! I hope you got enough chocolate tacos for the adults too–what a surprise!
Thank you, no the adults didn’t get a choco taco, but next time we will, they looked so good!
I’m drooling over the food and drinks!
It was a fun way to make a winter night less dreary!
I am ready to fiesta. I love fajitas and of course a margarita. I make them quite often here. The griddle sounds perfect. Choco taco for dessert sounds delicious.
thank you Linda!