Mexican Lunch Idea Request

I have to second balmerhon's comment about refried beans.  I've tried making these for friends and they have refused to even try them!

I say, if you are going to do Mexican, do Mexican, I also refuse to make anything out of a box because it never tastes right.  My recommendation, Tortilla Chips and salsa (I have Chipotle's corn salsa recipe) and quacamole for starters, Chicken Enchilladas (if you want I have a killer recipe for the sauce) with corn tortillas, and Mexican Rice.

Oh! One thing to note,  I have found that the chilli powder over here is not the same as in North America.  The stuff I've been able to get here has been plain ground chillis rather than what Americans know as chilli powder.  The stuff we got back home has ground chillis, oregano and cumin which gives it more of that 'Mexican' taste.  I forget the ratio, but you should be able to find it online. I think I use Pensey's ratio.

Enjoy and good luck!

Oh! One thing to note,  I have found that the chilli powder over here is not the same as in North America.  The stuff I've been able to get here has been plain ground chillis rather than what Americans know as chilli powder.  The stuff we got back home has ground chillis, oregano and cumin which gives it more of that 'Mexican' taste.

In the past, we've had people complain on the forum previously about exactly the opposite - that the chili powder here has too many added ingredients, compared to in the US - lol!  

I think it depends on where you buy your chili powder & which chili powder product it is - just important to check the label before you buy, so you know exactly what you're getting in that particular chili powder.

For example, Sainsburys Hot Chilli Powder contains:  Cayenne Pepper, Paprika, Cumin, Oregano, and Garlic.  Whereas Sainsburys Mild Chilli Powder contains:  Chilli Pepper, Cumin, Oregano, Garlic.  Schwartz Hot Chilli Powder:  Chilli Powder (Chilli Pepper, Cumin, Salt, Oregano, Garlic, Anti-Caking Agent (Silicon Dioxide)), Cayenne Pepper (20%).  There are others that are pure plain ground chilies, as you have indicated.

I think it depends on where you buy your chili powder & which chili powder product it is - just important to check the label before you buy, so you know exactly what you're getting in that particular chili powder.

For example, Sainsburys Hot Chilli Powder contains:  Cayenne Pepper, Paprika, Cumin, Oregano, and Garlic.  Whereas Sainsburys Mild Chilli Powder contains:  Chilli Pepper, Cumin, Oregano, Garlic.  Schwartz Hot Chilli Powder:  Chilli Powder (Chilli Pepper, Cumin, Salt, Oregano, Garlic, Anti-Caking Agent (Silicon Dioxide)), Cayenne Pepper (20%).  There are others that are pure plain ground chilies, as you have indicated.

I tend to get mine at the Indian grocers down the road since I go through A LOT and a little pot doesn't last more than a couple of weeks. I need to expand where I do the shopping.

I wondered if you were buying an Indian chili powder, because that's what the one I found that was pure chili powder was!  Actually, I am going to look for that because I would really rather have the pure ground chilies stuff, and then add in my own amounts of cumin, oregano, etc. 

If it's for teenage boys, honestly, I would stick to nachos with a choice of meat or bean topping and quesadillas with a choice of fillings. You could make your own frijoles negros and refried beans, and have some sides like guacamole, tomatillo salsa, pico de galle, pibil. Oh and a bottle of hot sauce on the table! That way you will have some stuff they probably already know and like and some new things to tickle their taste buds.

Loved the buffet idea already given, but, I looked up some more ideas for you, just in case you needed even more. Ahh, bringing back memories of Mexican food. Gotta be honest, it was a fun looking these up!

http://www.waitrose.com/recipe/Easy_Mexican_Mole.aspx (thought since it's in the UK, the ingredients would be more accessible to all local shops, and not just waitrose).

http://allrecipes.co.uk/recipe/708/mexican-rice.aspx (easy to make in big batches, and a staple at mex lunch food sales in San Diego)

http://simplyrecipes.com/recipes/carne_asada/ (one of my many personal favourites, and totally teenage boy and buffet friendly)

http://www.gourmetsleuth.com/Recipes/Aguas-Frescas-653/Agua-de-Jamaica-256.aspx (can just use vimto for the hibiscus mix)

http://www.cooks.com/rec/doc/0,1949,153189-248201,00.html (nice and easy to make, and heavenly to eat)

Thank you all for your wonderful suggestions! The lunch was today and everyone seemed to very much enjoy it-- clean plates and seconds all around!
I went for easy in the end! Nachos and Quesadillas for starters...Taco Bar and Mexican Rice for the main -- They surprised themselves by all of them liking refried beans.

We ended up going dessert free due to me getting called into cover several lessons and just running out of time---but they really didn't seem to mind- and told me later in the day they were still full and enjoying the taste returning on them some during the day 

and told me later in the day they were still full and enjoying the taste returning on them some during the day 

Something only a boy would say! 

What a great prize!! 

Mrs. Robinson...I make tamales several times a year, in fact I've got a batch in the freezer right now that I would be happy to share!!

Thank you all for your wonderful suggestions! The lunch was today and everyone seemed to very much enjoy it-- clean plates and seconds all around!
I went for easy in the end! Nachos and Quesadillas for starters...Taco Bar and Mexican Rice for the main -- They surprised themselves by all of them liking refried beans.

We ended up going dessert free due to me getting called into cover several lessons and just running out of time---but they really didn't seem to mind- and told me later in the day they were still full and enjoying the taste returning on them some during the day 

Yay!!! I'm glad that it all went well for you and the boys!

What a great prize!! 

Mrs. Robinson...I make tamales several times a year, in fact I've got a batch in the freezer right now that I would be happy to share!!

Care to share a recipe? I'd like to try my hand at Tamales

and boy can BarbaraG cook up some grub!!  I'll vouch for her!!@

So glad it went so well and was so popular HG!

Glad it went well HG! 

Mrs. Robinson...I make tamales several times a year, in fact I've got a batch in the freezer right now that I would be happy to share!!

Please please share!!