Mexican

Black beans, also known as turtle beans, are not the same as chinese black beans, which are fermented soy beans. A common ingredient in Caribbean and Latin American soups, salsas and salads, black beans can be found in most health food stores and large greengrocers. Note

Depending on how many you share it with it's a snack, it's a meal or it's a starter. Whatever you call it, just one bite of that fragrant mexican spiced meat and bean combo on a crispy, hot, cheesy corn chip and you'll surely be calling it delicious.

These summery coconut and lemongrass rum cocktails will be a hit during the festive season and right through the summer.

Tender and juicy grilled beef steak on a bed of zesty salsa from Australian Women's Weekly.

For a really rich flavour, marinate the lamb shanks overnight. Serve shanks with flour tortillas, a green salad and lime wedges.

You'll win lots of friends with this luscious layered nachos recipe topped with fresh guacamole and sour cream.

Serve this fresh and nutritious tomato salsa with corn chips or atop crusty toasted sourdough, bruschetta-style. It is even more delicious when topped with crumbled feta.

Mexican food is a mid-week meal choice. It is easy to prepare, affordable, fresh and delicious!

You can warm the tortillas in the microwave oven; follow the instructions on the packet. Note

Hot sauce is the perfect condiment to use if you want to add extra spice to your meal. Spoon a little hot sauce on enchiladas, tacos or even scrambled eggs.

For a tasty family meal, serve wedges of these cheesy quesadillas with a big dollop of zesty guacamole.

A hearty winter stew with beef, black bean and corn from Australian Women's Weekly.

Save yourself some evening time with these popular quick and easy Mexican tortillas. Experiment with different fillings such as sliced capsicum, avocado or baby spinach. Beef, lamb or chicken strips will work just as well for the meat component.

A super-fast and easy turkey and tomato salsa quesadillas for the whole family to enjoy as a snack.

If you can’t find piquillo peppers, use roasted or grilled capsicum instead. Note

A chunky, smoky and delicious Mexican bean and shredded pork soup from Australian Women's Weekly. The ultimate warming dinner dish for cooler evenings.

Serve with warmed tortillas and a dollop of sour cream. Note

Mexican beef and bean quesadilla stacks with a zesty guacamole

Tomato salsa and guacamole add a burst of flavour to these delicious fish fajitas with guacamole.

These light and tasty tortilla pork wraps are full of tasty Mexican flavours. Served with a fresh corn salsa, they make the ultimate throw-together family dinner.

Essentially a simple spicy pilaf, green rice is a great side dish for any number of mains, but especially good with Asian-style crispy-skinned chicken and Cajun-spiced fish.

Mexican meatballs in a spicy tomato sauce and topped with guacamole makes a delicious dinner served with wraps and salad.

A spicy salsa perfect as a dip or sauce for platters, share plates or tapas. This tomato chilli salsa is great served as a dip with fresh vegetables, as a condiment with steak or on a burger.

Using your own spice mix for chilli con carne is a revelation if you've only used packet mix previously. Rich, spicy and full of flavour, this Tex-Mex-style chilli is perfect served on rice with sour cream.

Queso anejo and poblano chillies bring an authentic Mexican flavour to this gourmet guacamole. If you can't lay your hands on any queso anejo, you can use parmesan and other similar cheeses in its place.

Jalapeño chillies are found in jars, sliced and pickled in brine, in the condiment or Mexican food aisle in most supermarkets. They are quite hot. Note

Soup can be made two days ahead. Note

Yummy Mexican wraps with tender spiced beef strips, chilli beans, shredded lettuce and coriander.

You need to buy half a large barbecued chicken (450g) to get the amount of shredded meat required for this recipe. Note

Mexican-style chicken fajitas with pan-fried chicken and capsicum.

In this barbecued chicken recipe the segmented chicken is seasoned with delicious Mexican spices and served with grilled corn cobs and seared lime cheeks.

You could set out a platter of sliced chicken, bowl of salad with serving tongs and stack of tortillas for everyone to assemble their own great food-to-go. Note

Sweet potato fries loaded with delicious pulled beef short ribs, candied jalapenos, chimichurri and mozzarella.

The piñata is quick and easy to make, but make sure the top edge of the shell doesn’t have any weak spots. If the piñata does break, re-melt the chocolate and start again. The piñata can be made several days ahead of the party. Note

Garlic wedges can be made a week ahead. Note

A quesadilla (from queso, the Spanish word for cheese) is a tortilla “sandwich” containing cheese and any of a wide number of spicy filling ingredients, which is grilled, fried or toasted and usually served with salsa. You need to buy two untrimmed corn cobs (800g) to get the amount of trimmed corn needed for this […]

Pasilla chillies, also known as 'chile negro' because of their dark brown colour, possess a rich flavour that adds a smoky depth to the overall recipe.

A quick, simple and delicious Mexican-style pizza; great for busy midweek evenings.

Fajita seasoning spice mix adds an authentic Mexican flavour to foods; it is a blend of herbs and spices, and may include cumin, chilli, garlic, capsicum, oregano, coriander and onion. Use a mild chilli seasoning, if you prefer. Beef eye fillet can be expensive, buy beef strips or stir-fry beef to make this a cheap […]

Peri peri prawn and coleslaw tortillas

A healthy and filling Mexican vegetarian dish with a rich and delicious spiced tomato and avocado salsa.

We used 16cm-round corn tortillas, which are packaged in cryovac. Unused tortillas can be frozen in freezer bags for up to three weeks. You can also soften tortillas by wrapping them in foil and heating them in a moderate oven for about 5 minutes or until hot. Note

Spice up your night with this Mexican chilli con carne with guacamole.

A lolly-packed party piñata that the kids will love.

Refried beans are sold, canned, in most supermarkets, as are packaged flour tortillas. Made of pinto beans that are just parboiled then fried with various seasonings, refried beans are also known by their Mexican name of frijoles refritos. You will need to purchase one small iceberg lettuce for this recipe. Note

Dressing can be made 1 day ahead; chill, covered. Recipe can be 3 days ahead up to step 3; store in airtight container. Note

A quick, easy and flavour-packed Mexican beef stir-fry from Australian Women's Weekly.

Guests can assemble their own tacos at the table. Note

For a vegetarian option, add extra beans in place of the chicken. You need to cook ⅓ cup (65g) raw rice to get the amount of cooked rice used here. You could also use the microwave rice now available in most supermarkets. Note

With the help of a pressure cooker, this Mexican dish of tender chicken & chorizo sausages with kidney beans can be whipped up in no time.

Bacon option; place a halved cooked bacon rasher on top of heated beans and continue layering as above. Note

Chilli beans can be served either hot or cold. Store beans, covered, in the refrigerator for up to three days. Keep any leftover bread in the freezer to use at a later date. Note

Have a Tex-Mex night with these delicious lamb fajitas, guacamole and salsa cruda.