I guess it depends on your definition of "Tex-Mex". I have a folder full of "Mexican-type" recipes. Will your guests be seated or standing? I hope this is the kind of thing you're looking for.
For appetizers, how about one of those 7 Layer Dips? If you're going to be seated, I have a really nice Tortilla Soup recipe. Or we like this one for something a little different.
Apple Salsa and Cinnamon Chips
Cinnamon Chips
4 flour tortillas 7 size
1 Tbl granulated sugar
½ tsp ground cinnamon
Salsa
2 granny smith apples, medium
1 cup strawberries, sliced
1 kiwi, peeled and chopped
1 orange, small
2 Tbl packed brown sugar
2 Tbl apple jelly
Preheat oven to 400 degrees F. Lightly spray tortillas with water. Combine sugar & cinnamon; sprinkle over tortillas. Cut tortillas into 8 wedges & place in single layer on pan. Bake 8-10 minutes or until lightly brown & crisp. Set on cooling rack. [NOTE: Do not spray both sides of tortilla or you wont be able to get them off the pan.]
Peel, core & chop apples. Slice strawberries & chop kiwi. Place all in small bowl. Zest and juice orange. Add zest, orange juice, brown sugar & apple jelly to fruit mixture. Mix gently. Spoon into bowl & serve with chips.
I have substituted freely in this recipe with great results. Ive replaced the apple jelly with orange marmalade, replaced the kiwi with ½ raspberries, replaced both kiwi & strawberries with raspberries, skipped the brown sugar & used canned mandarin oranges with OJ & dried orange zest. Tart apples work best.
Mexican Salad
15 oz black beans
2 c corn
½ red pepper, diced
½ green pepper, diced
¼ c olive oil
2 Tbl lime juice
2 Tbl lemon juice
¼ c red wine vinegar
½ tsp honey
½ tsp honey
½ Tbl cumin
1 tsp pepper, black
2 Tbl cilantro, chopped
1 tsp salt
1 dash hot sauce
½ tsp chili powder
1 clove garlic
Combine beans, peppers & corn. Whisk together remaining ingredients. Pour over vegetables & mix well. Chill thoroughly.
Or this one for a twist on Chinese-food-made-Mexican?
Mexican Won Ton
< ¾ lb Ground meat (beef, pork, turkey)
15 oz Black beans, drained
1 pkg TACO seasoning mix
½ lb Shredded cheddar cheese
1 Tbl Garlic powder
Green onions chopped
4 tsp Cayenne pepper
2 pkg Won Ton Wrappers
Sauté ground meat over medium heat until no longer pink. Sprinkle on garlic powder, cayenne and Taco seasoning mix. Stir well. Add drained black beans. Mix thoroughly; remove from heat. When meat mixture has cooled to room temperature, stir in cheese and onions.
TO MAKE WON TON:
Place a teaspoon of the mixture onto the middle of each won ton wrapper. Wet the edges of the wrapper with water, fold the wrappers over to form triangles, and seal the edges, pinching them together. Moisten bottom side of LEFT corner and upper side of RIGHT corner. Fold left corner up toward you, and fold right corner over left; seal together. Fry several won tons at a time in hot oil (375 degrees F) until golden brown. Drain well on paper towels. Serve with fresh Mexican salsa or guacamole. Makes approximately 100 won tons.
