Looking for a fun birthday party theme, or just a fun party theme for a get together with friends? Consider a Mexican Fiesta party. Just think – spicy Mexican dishes with a cold Mexican beer or a margarita to wash it down with. Play some island music and leave some sombreros lying around – they’re bound to be picked up and worn by some animated guests after sampling the Mexican beer and margaritas.

Following are some tasty south-of-the-border appetizer and cocktail recipes:

Black Bean Quesadillas

Ingredients
2 burrito-size tortillas
1- 14 oz can of refried low fat black beans
1 cup salsa
1½ cups Mexican-style shredded cheese
½ cup guacamole (homemade or from the Deli store)
2 Tbsp sour cream

Preparation
Preheat oven to 400 degrees F. Lay one tortilla on a flat surface. Spread the beans evenly over the tortilla. Spoon ¾ cup of salsa over the beans, then sprinkle cheese. Top with the second tortilla. Place the quesadilla on a foil-covered cookie sheet. Bake for 15 minutes (cheese will be melted and the top tortilla will be crisp and brown). Mix the guacamole and sour cream and pour into a bowl, add to a large plate, add another bowl with the remaining salsa, cut the quesadilla in 4 portions and transfer to the plate. Colorful presentation, tasty appetizer or meal.

Guacamole

Ingredients
3 - 4 Avocados depending on the size of the avocados
1/4 or 1/3 jar salsa
Salt to taste
6 oz cream cheese (to stretch dip during high avocado prices!)

Preparation
Mix avocado chunks, lemon or lime juice, diced onions, diced tomato and cilantro. Mix by hand with a fork until the consistency still has very small (1/8″) chunks of avocado. Never use a food processor for making guacamole. To prevent browning over night, put Saran Wrap over dip with no air in between (push Saran Wrap toward bottom of bowl to expel air).

Salsa

Ingredients
4 medium fresh tomatoes, peeled and chopped
1/2 cup finely chopped onion (up to 1 cup)
1/2 cup finely chopped celery
1/4 cup finely chopped fresh green pepper (bell pepper)
1/4 cup oil
2 tbsp finely chopped fresh green chiles
2 tbsp red wine vinegar
1 tsp mustard seed
1 tsp cilantro (coriander) seed, crushed (or fresh cilantro leaves)

1 tsp salt

Preparation
Combine all ingredients. Cover and chill. Stir occasionally. Serve with corn chips.

Margaritas

Ingredients
1-½ oz tequila
1 oz Grand Marnier Orange Liqueur
¼ oz fresh lime juice

Preparation
Shake 100% blue agava tequila with Grand Marnier and lime juice, and strain into a chilled salt-rimmed cocktail glass. Serve. Makes one drink.

Tequila Sunrise

Ingredients
2 oz tequila
4 oz orange juice
½ oz grenadine

Preparation
Pour Tequila and orange juice in a highball glass over ice and stir. Trickle grenadine on top. Makes one drink.

Mexican Beer

There are many types of Mexican beer. Pacifico, Dos Equis, Negra Modelo, Sol, Tecate and Corona are some of the more popular Mexican beers.

Find a reason to throw a Mexican Fiesta party soon, whether it’s for a birthday party or a get together with friends, and enjoy some south-of-the-border-style fun.

Hilary Basile is a writer for MyGuidesUSA.com. At MyGuidesUSA.com (http://www.myguidesusa.com), you will find valuable tips and resources for handling life’s major events. Whether you’re planning a wedding, buying your first home, anxiously awaiting the birth of a child, contending with a divorce, searching for a new job, or planning for your retirement, you’ll find answers to your questions at MyGuidesUSA.com. Find birthday party planning tips and resources at http://www.myguidesusa.com/birthdays