Thursday, June 19, 2014

Mexican Food Catering For Your Entertainment Needs

By Ina Hunt


There are many alternatives to traditional types of foods for special events. There are also ethnic options to be considered such as Mexican food catering. This is an excellent way to provide hearty fare that almost any person would really enjoy at a gathering or special party. These types of menus are quick and simple to prepare and are usually much less expensive to purchase than almost any other type of food items.

First determine whether on-site or off-site food service is needed. On-site is when the meal is served at the same place it is prepared. Off-site is when the menu items are transported to a remote area such as a party hall, office, school, park or private home to be served to guests, employees or customers.

Make a decision as to whether you want to plate the menu items or serve them buffet-style. Waiters serve plated items after everyone is seated at tables. Buffets are long, narrow, skirted tables with chafing dishes and trays filled with hot and cold prepared items. The guests will form a long line and help themselves to the array of various selections.

A choice of cold menu items can include chips and salsa, fresh fruit displays, and taco salads. If you have extra funds, you may wish to add shrimp, oysters, crab claws and ceviche on ice to the selection. If these selections are going to be on the buffet table for long periods of time, they should be kept cold for safety reasons and for maintained flavor.

There are so many hot dishes to choose from. They include soups such as menudo and tortilla soup. Entree items can include tamales, quesadillas, chalupas and tacos, flautas, Spanish rice, re-fried beans, and grilled vegetables. The main challenge will be keeping these foods warm until everyone is done eating. This can be done by delivering the items in a truck with heaters or hot boxes and then transferring the menu items to chafers warmed with sterno right before serving.

Select desserts such as a caramel flan, Mexican wedding cookies, or cold cinnamon ice cream. Serve ice cold margaritas rimmed with sea salt and tubs of Modelo, Dos Equis and Corona beer for the adults. Ice down bottled, imported sodas for any children that attend the event. If several guests are expected, rent an electric margarita machine to make both strawberry and plain margaritas for everyone. Make garnishes of orange slices, pineapple wedges and lemon and lime wheels.

The use of bright colors is essential for these occasions. Decorate with colorful blankets, pinatas, streamers and paper flowers. Linens and paper goods can be used in a variety of rainbow shades. Use tablecloths that reflect the ethnic theme and brighten up the room.

This type of catering and the assortment of menu items and decorations that are required are fast, casual and easy on the budget. Your entire group will enjoy the many offerings available that will fit almost any appetite. Choose the specific items that your crowd will enjoy the most and plan a set-up that flows easily and effortlessly for an affair to be remembered.




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