This content is for Great British Chefs Club members only.
Already a Silver or Gold member? Sign in here.
Tired of terrine? Bored with the basics? Sick at the sight of yet another soufflé? If your repertoire of dinner party recipes is getting a bit stale, perhaps it’s time to inject some Latin flavour into your next soirée. With Mexican cuisine being the latest culinary obsession to take the UK restaurant scene by storm, it’s high time you hosted a dinner party full to the brim with cocina Mexicana.
But before you start thinking of crispy taco shells, Old El Paso kits and all-purpose fajita seasoning, don’t worry – this is proper, authentic Mexican food from Nud Dudhia, the head chef and co-owner of the acclaimed Breddos Tacos in London. Each dish is simple to cook – giving you plenty of time to entertain your guests – and absolutely bursting with Mexican flavour. Buen provecho!
Cocktail
It’s always a good idea at any dinner party – Mexican or otherwise – to get your guests a little limbered up with a cocktail or two beforehand. You can go as simple or as complex as you like, but in this case something simple and quintessentially Mexican seems to fit the bill best. A combination of Tequila Ocho Reposado (a single variety that represents flavours and terroir from a particular farm), lime juice and Fever-Tree Ginger Beer, the cocktail is finished off with mint, lime and a dash of bitters. It’s the perfect way to set the tone for the rest of the night.
Starter
We might associate tartare with the French, but it’s just as popular in Mexico. Nud serves his on tostadas – corn tacos deep-fried until crisp – with an egg yolk cured until it’s gummy and seasoned to perfection. The real Mexican kick comes from the tartare marinade; with fresh habanero, lime juice and coriander (as well as a dash of soy for a real depth of umami), this is a make-ahead starter that’s guaranteed to impress.
Main course
Onto the main event now, and of course it’s tacos that take centre stage. Giving your guests the chance to build their own at the table means everyone can get stuck in, and customise their own dish however they like. The star of the show is beef short rib, which is cooked down over several hours in a chipotle-spiked sauce until glossy. Slice up the meltingly tender meat, drizzle over the jus, top with a spoonful of black beans and add some lime and coriander – it sounds simple, but the beef is absolutely stunning.
Dessert
Mexican dessert can only really mean one thing – churros! They’re like an even tastier doughnut (and much easier to make) that can be made in advance; they just need their final fry in oil just before serving. What makes these really stand out is the simple yet effective cinnamon sugar, as well as the chocolate ganache sauce and flaked almonds on top.
You may also like
SITES
© Great British Chefs 2023
Get in touch