Fire up your Christmas party with a Mexican feast

Let’s face it, Christmas get-togethers can be a little disappointing. If you’re sick of soggy sausage rolls and stale sandwiches, take inspiration from the sizzling flavours of Mexico and host your very own festive fiesta this year.

Christmas is all about rich flavours – think festive spices, indulgent cheeses and the odd sweet treat. However, this can sometimes leave us feeling a little oversaturated, especially by the time New Year’s Eve rolls around. Party food is the perfect excuse to break with tradition, and Mexico’s fiery warming dishes are made for sharing.

THE ALL-IMPORTANT TACOS

The first step in creating an amazing Mexican New Year’s feast is mastering your own homemade tacos. These ones are filled with shredded roast chicken, though you could easily substitute it for turkey, or any other leftover roast meat. Tacos look so colourful on the table – arrange the fillings and toppings in your favourite bowls and let all the guests get stuck in.

Kids will love these fill-your-own tacos

BIG, BOLD MAINS

It really pays to put the hours in before the big event – it’ll help ensure big flavour, and take the stress out of things on the night.

This slow-cooked chicken mole from the latest issue of Jamie magazine is seriously moreish. “Mole is a Mexican classic,” Jamie says, “a thick, dark sauce made with a medley of sweet and spicy chillies, rounded off with bitter chocolate.”

Alternatively, if you've got leftover turkey hanging around you could make up a big batch of this turkey con chilli, and give your Christmas bird a second lease of life with some punchy spices.

SIDE DISHES THAT SING

When it comes to what to serve alongside, this is a chance to add some super-fresh, zingy sides and salads that are really going to wake up your guests’ tastebuds. Prepare some lively dips like this delicious guacamole or make a punchy tomato salsa, then arrange on a platter with tortillas and crudites for dunking. Alternatively, dish up these classic quasedillaswith a fruity, sweet pineapple salsa – none of your guests will be able to resist!

SUNSHINE IN A GLASS

Of course, it wouldn’t be a party without a cheeky tipple, and the Mexicans certainly know how to do cocktails! Serve up classic margaritasor pimp up your prosecco with sunshine-bright tropical fruits.