Mainly because it was Mexican!
Only four of us got together, but we sure ate a good amount of food. Almost all of the recipes were from Truly Mexican, and the only other one - a guacamole with bacon, which a friend brought over and everyone loved, was from Fiesta at Rick's. We started out with that, and the Pumpkin Seed and Jalapeño Dip, p. 198 in TM, as snacks, while we were getting some of the other food ready.
Most I made up in advance, but still had to do the usual heating up and preparing. I made a bunch of poached chicken thighs in advance, and cut to size for the different dishes. Most were just tacos, but the first thing after the snacks was the Yellow Mole from Querétaro, p. 163, which we served as a soup, as it had a masa flavor in it from the thickener, plus I figured we would be eating enough tortillas later! The pineapple and the other flavors were delicious together, and we were surprised at the parsley in it. We each even tried a bit of cilantro in a bite of it, to see how it compared, and all agreed that the parsley was better!
After this, we started on the tacos. I used some 3 Chile Adobo, p. 129, with shrimp (p. 132), as well as some cooked chicken. Shrimp was better, but the chicken probably would have been better braised in it - this was just heated up in it. Then there was the Pipián Verde Totonaco, p. 193, which all but one of us thought tasted better with the chicken, rather than the shrimp (though both were delicious). And the chicken with Red Peanut Sauce, p. 200, which was one person's favorite, and I think would have been even better with pork, though it is suggested for both. And maybe my favorite (though really hard to say!), the Shrimp and Scallop Enchiladas with Hazelnut Mole, p. 224. This sauce was also good with chicken, the the shrimp and scallops were definitely best.
One friend brought some Mexican beers, and a couple were good, but none seemed very high in hops, like I like them with spicy foods. There was a Negra Modelo - a somewhat dark beer, which I usually do not like, but this may have been my favorite of the four. Then there was an amber (what I usually prefer) Dos XX, which was also nicely flavored, and stood up to the food, without masking it. The others were too mild...I guess that's why I don't remember the names! LOL Also, because it is 4:30 in the morning may have something to do with it.
Happy New Year to everyone!
