Best Recipes To Celebrate Mexican Independence Day In Los Angeles

Mexican Independence Day is a national holiday traditionally celebrated with elaborate costumes, traditional Mexican cuisine, cultural dancing and live mariachi music. Sept. 16th marks the date for this year's day of celebration, similar in its tradition to Thanksgiving and the 4th of July all in one. When preparing the menu for a backyard buffet or picnic in the park, home cooks can select from a variety of traditional recipes to create an exciting party buffet that will be colorful in appearance and delicious to those in attendance. Two local chefs shared their top picks for flavorful food items that can present visual appeal and set the tone for an exciting celebration of Mexican Independence Day.

Tortas, Surf & Turf tacos and and fiesta rice bowls are some of the favorites on the popular menu of this landmark Mexican restaurant. This popular eatery and food destination is best known for its Taco Tuesdays and all-you-can-eat specials that have contributed to their loyal customer base. In addition to the wide variety of main meal choices on their colorful menu, Fiesta Cantina serves up strawberry churros and other unique desserts that signify this restaurant as a top of the line destination for quality Mexican cuisine and a full entertainment experience while patrons dine out. Here are a few tasty meal items and appetizers that can be prepared with the best fresh ingredients to celebrate Mexican Independence Day.

Guacamole And Chips

• 4 avocados
• 1/2 teaspoon of Salt
• 1/2 teaspoon of pepper
• 1 teaspoon soybean oil

Directions:

1. Peel avocados and remove the seeds. Place avocado in bowl
2. Add salt, pepper and oil.
3. Place ingredients in food processor or blender and mix.
4. Serve with chips.

• 1/4 cup cheddar cheese
• 1/4 cup Monterey Jack cheese
• flour tortillas
• 1 tablespoon vegetable oil

Directions

1. Heat up skillet and place 1 flour tortilla in warm up.
2. Turn tortilla over a few times until it is nice and hot
3. Pour cheese in center of tortilla and spread out
4. Fold tortilla in half and cook for 1 minute.
5. Remove and slice into wedges and serve on a platter with salsa.

Soft Tacos

• 8 corn tortillas
• 2 cups of cooked ground beef or ground chicken
• 1/2 tspn salt
• 1/2 cup of Monterey Jack cheese
• 1/2 cup salsa

Directions:

1. Heat corn tortillas in microwave for 30 seconds.
2. Place tortillas on a platter.
3. Fill each tortilla with 2 tablespoons cooked ground beef or chicken
4. Sprinkle cheese on top of each taco
5. Serve with salsa

Related: Best Mexican Restaurants In Los Angeles

Traditional Mexican cuisine is the theme of this L.A. landmark Mexican restaurant nestled in the West Los Angeles area near Westchester, a trendy arts-driven area of the city. The restaurant takes pride in preparing fresh tortillas daily for its patrons. As customers enter this authentic Mexican cafe, they will see master tortilla chefs demonstrating their expertise in making hand-made corn and flour tortillas as guests enjoy choice appetizers or a beverage.The following recipes bring forth the flavors of Mexican cuisine with a few simple recipes and fresh choice ingredients.

Pico de Gallo

• 7 chopped tomatoes
• 1/4 cup chopped red onion
• 1/4 cup chopped bell pepper
• 1/2 each of salt and pepper
• 3 tablespoons of chopped cilantro
• 2 tablespoons lime juice

Directions:

1. Place ingredients in a mixing bowl.
2. Stir ingredients well.
3. Place mixture in a container with a lid.
4. Refrigerate for two hours and serve.

Black Bean Nachos

• 1 bag of tortilla chips
• 1 cup of cooked black beans
• 1/4 cup of Monterey Jack cheese
• 1/2 cup of cheddar cheese
• 1/2 cup refried beans

Directions:

1. Layer tortilla chips on a pizza pan or large flat pan.
2. Top with refried beans.
3. Layer Monterey and Jack cheese on top of the refried beans
4. Sprinkle with black beans
5. Place pan in oven and bake at 300 degrees until the cheese melts.
6. Serve with your favorite salsa.

Mexican Corn On The Cob

• 5 ears of corn on the cob
• 1/4 cup of mayonaise
• 1/2 cup of cojita cheese
• 1/2 teaspoon of salt
• 2 tspns lime juice

Directions:

1. Preheat an outdoor grill until it is medium hot.
2. Place corn cobs on the grill.
3. Turn the corn for a period of 10 minutes as it cooks thoroughly on each side
4. Remove corn from griddle and place on a platter.
5. Drizzle butter.on each corn cob.
6. Spread each cob with mayonaise.
7. Place corn cobs on platter and drizzle cobs with lime juice.
8. Sprinkle cojita cheese on top and serve.

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