When you think of Mexican night, what comes to mind? Tacos, right? Well, there is more to Mexican food than tacos. I am not sure if many of you know, but my husband is from El Salvador. And, when I first started dating him in college, he would take me to some of his favorite Latin restaurants. Oftentimes the menu was in Spanish, so I would have to tell him what I was interested in having, say, chicken or a steak entree. I remember the first time we went out to dinner, and he brought me to local Latin restaurant. I thought the food would be like that served at other Spanish or Mexican style restaurants. Boy, was I wrong! My husband couldn't help but laugh at me when he asked what I wanted. I told him tacos. Then, he went into the different questions, like what type, chicken, steak, beef, chorizo, fish, etc. And, then what toppings. I said, "Don't they come one way, with beef and then a side of lettuce, tomato, cheese, and taco sauce? He then, responded, "Oh the American taco" with a chuckle. It wasn't until he ordered a sampling of tacos that I learned that there was more than just what I grew up enjoying, from boxed taco kits from Old El Paso.
And, now when we have Mexican night in our house, I serve up tacos for the girls, either steak or chicken and make a delicious enchilada dish my husband's mother shared a recipe for. Besides learning that there are more than one way to serve up say a taco, I also learned those of Mexican and Latin American descent, also take pride in plating their foods. From bright, colorful dishes, to fun serving platters in the shape of squares and rectangles, the food served up in a real Latin or Mexican restaurant, as well in a person's home, is plated beautifully and really shows off the love the cooks have for their food.
It wasn't until I started dating my husband that my eyes were open to a cuisine outside of American and Italian, which I grew up eating and learning how to make. And, now, I love being able to fuse both Italian and Latin dishes together, as well as learn to make some of my husband's favorite foods, like enchilada's, so that he can enjoy, and share with our girls. In addition to recipes pasted down from my husband's mom when we first got married, I love to browse recipe sites online and well as Pinterest to find inspiration and recipe ideas when it comes to trying out a new dish in the kitchen. Here are just a few Mexican dishes that have caught my eye, and got my mouth watering from the Recipe Section over at the Old El Paso website, found here -- http://www.oldelpaso.com/recipes?pos=1.
Taco Fries
Roasted Tomato Meatballs
Don't
they look good? I can't wait to get in the kitchen one of these days
to make them. But, in the meantime, I will continue to serve up the
American and true Mexican/Latin versions of tacos for my family. The
girls especially love "Taco Night," as they get to fill taco shells and
fajita bowls with all the fixings. :-)
How does your family experience "Mexican Night?" Are you like I was and serve up ground hamburger mixed with the taco seasoning mix that comes in the box with the taco shells? Or, do you think outside the box and use chicken, fish, chorizo or other ingredients to create a more authentic "Mexican Night?" I would to hear how you enjoy "Mexican Night" with your family. And, if you have a favorite recipe, I would love for you to share it. :-)
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You can find Old El Paso products, including their new line of frozen entrees at your favorite local grocery store.
--GIVEAWAY--
Thanks to the folks at MyBlogSpark and Old El Paso, one lucky reader will win a fun "Mexican Night" Prize pack, just like the one I was sent to review. This prize pack includes the following, in your Old El Paso: Beyond Tacos Kit:
- Red Enchilada Sauce
- Tortillas for Burritos
- Square Chip and Dip Serving Tray
- Can of Traditional Refried Beans
- Rectangular Platter
- $10 Walmart Gift CardTo enter this giveaway, please complete the entries on the Rafflecopter form below. Good luck!a Rafflecopter giveaway
We love making Fajitas, guacamole, and having corn, beans and rice!
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