How to Host A Party Without Freaking Out

Let’s be honest- having people over is stressful…unless:

A: You are a total dude (like my husband) and you think a few bags of doritos and burger patties =’s party central

B: You are a gazillionaire and have party planners, caters, and servers

C: You just don’t give a snake’s rattle and you enjoy things as they come (if this is you, let’s talk…I’ll $$$ for your info on how you do it)

or…..

You have The Wifey’s Survival Advice!

I used to attend BBQ’s like a deer in headlights- stunned by my friend’s abilities to put on a culinary show and was terrified to try to follow their efforts.

Then I realized something: people like to eat. And drink. And enjoy themselves. If you serve them enough to fill them up they will be happy.

Also? People love tacos. Which is how I came up with Wifey Fiesta Night- a DIY extravaganza. And now I’m sharing the wealth*.

*pennies

You ready? Let’s Get Wife’d Up!

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What You Need/Grocery List:

  • fish/shrimps/meat/chicken of your choice (I like to get pre seasoned shrimp and fish from the counter if they have have it)
  • tortillas (I polled the ladies and flour wins every time)  – a package of flour tortillas is perfect
  • salsa/pico de gallo- it’s your choice (I’d include a mild and medium…if you serve a pico de gallo- you also get your onion serving in there)
  • gauc- make your own or buy pre made – *I like to buy pre made
  • cheese- Mexican blend cheese ideal
  • sour cream/greek yogurt
  • hot sauces of choice
  • tortilla chips! ( I like to have a low fat/organic option and an old stand by as well)
  • put out every hot sauce you own- the more the merrier
  • I like to serve a fruit salad as well, for those who don’t feel like Mexican
  • cut up a few avocados and serve those – they make everything look a little more fancy
  • a tequila drink or Coronas with cut limes

What To Do:

  • KNOW YOUR GUEST ARRIVAL TIME- For a fiesta- most things need to happen right before or as guests arrive
  • fire up your grill
  • put our your guac, hot sauce, salsas, cheese, sour cream/yogut, chips…..
  • set out  tortillas in tin foil and put to the side ( they will go on the grill for 2 mins per side at the last moment)
  • grill ears of corn for about 10 mins on medium, turning every 4 mins or so, season with salt. pepper and a little butter. Cut off ear and serve as a side.
  • microwave a bag of instant Spanish rice (90 seconds) and serve in a fancy bowl
  • Amy’s brand refried beans (or any brand really), is so simple to make- put the beans in a microwave safe dish, nuke for a min or so and stir, serve in a fancy bowl
  • cut some limes up for people to squeeze over the shrimp/fish/meat and beer
  • throw your shrimp on the grill, cook for about 2 mins per side or until shrimp isn’t pink or translucent
  • toss foil wrapped tortillas on – 2 mins per side- then serve on a plate or in a basket , covered with a napkin
  • set everything else out with some pretty plates (paper or not), silverware and napkins and FIESTA!

EZ Cheezy Wifey Enchiladas

Who doesn’t LOVE Mexican food?!? I know we do in our house, especially on chilly days or the day after a late night.

When Alex first told me how much he loved enchiladas – I’ll admit I panicked on the inside- for some reason I always thought they would require mad skill and would be complicated.

Well, maybe they do for some people- but not in this kitchen! These truly live up to their name and ooze greatness.

know what else oozes greatness? this apron!

know what else oozes greatness? this apron!

I’ll mix them up, and add chicken for him and asparagus and artichokes to mine. Really anything goes with these bad boys so feel free to experiment.

EZ Cheezy Wifey Enchiladas

What You Need:

  • a baking dish
  • a spatula
  • a can of enchilada sauce (red or green depending on which way you roll)
  • a can of refried beans (I like Amy’s or any vegetarian kind)
  • greek yogurt- plain
  • shredded Mexican blend cheese
  • a can of chopped mild peppers (in the International Isle at the grocery)
  • a package of corn or flour tortillas
  • *bonus for Cotija Cheese if your market carries it (look near the specialty cheeses)

What To Do:

  • pre heat oven to 350
  • dump a generous portion of sauce in the bottom of your dish and spread it out evenly
  • take a tortilla and spread a spoonful of beans down the middle, add cheeses and a dollop of greek yogurt
  • roll the tortilla and lay seam side down (so you can’t see the fold) and cover with more sauce and cheeses
  • repeat until your dish is full- I usually do around 4 per dish
  • sprinkle a few peppers across the top for color
  • bake for about 15-20 mins until the cheese gets melty and the tortilla starts to brown on the end
  • serve and feel the love!

Watch The Video:

Bonus: Elotes! Or “Mexican Street Corn” (for two):

  • Grill three ears of corn until they are charred in places, but not all black
  • melt 1 teaspoon of butter in the microwave :15 seconds or so
  • Combine butter with 1/4 cup mayo and brush on the ears as soon as you remove them from the grill
  • Mix 1/4 teaspoon of cayenne with a pinch of chili powder and sprinkle evenly on the corn
  • Sprinkle 1/4 cotija cheese (grated/crumbled) evenly over the corn
  • add a dash of salt and pepper
  • Squeeze with juice of half a lime
  • Either cut off the cob or serve whole and enjoy!