Q: I'm hosting an Easter dinner this coming weekend with a Mexican theme. I'm working half of the day on the day of the dinner so I need some fresh ideas for Mexican food where a lot of the prep can be done ahead of time. Ideally, the entire menu would stick to the theme, from appetizers to dessert. Any suggestions?
Sent by Lynne
Editor: Lynne, this is an easy kind of dinner to prep ahead! I'd suggest making a big pot of carnitas or goat meat and a big bowl of slaw and other sliced vegetables. These things will hold well (as will pitchers of aguas frescas and margaritas).
Readers, what else would you suggest?
Related: Super Bowl Parties: Taco Bar
(Image: Sara Kate Gillingham-Ryan)
Elizabeth Apron fro...

You can slow roast a pork shoulder to be used in any mexican dish--tacos, enchiladas, or just on it's own with rice and beans. You can roast the meat either today or tomorrow and you can even assemble enchiladas or a casserole the day before and pop it into the oven on Sunday.
I've actually had Easter dinner with Mexican folks and we had carnitas, rice, refried beans, and flan.You could totally do a pork roast or beef roast in the crock pot, then shred for tacos. The day before, make a tomatillo salsa and maybe a pico de gallo style salsa. Both get even better after a day in the fridge. If you're not in to canned refried beans, borrow a crock pot and have a second one of beans perking away. Enjoy!
For dessert, tres leches cake!
Make all the salsas the night before and yes I agree that the slow cooker will be your best friend on this one. If you have no slow cooker then i would make something the night before that you can assemble and then pop in the oven when you get home. Enchiladas are a good idea for this or even something like an enchilada casserole
this all sounds amazing! i'll throw in the albondigas option!
it seems like tasty.
http://www.lukstasarim.com