Mexico

Here are a few Mexican-themed community cooking and language event ideas to get you started.  Download the One-Pot Vegetable Chilli recipe and Demonstrator Notes at the bottom of the page.

Click on each country’s page for more ideas and recipes.

One-pot wonder

Cook and demonstrate the One-pot Vegetable Chilli at a school event such as an induction morning, Parents’ Evening or sporting event. Use a large table and portable cooking equipment so that people can come along and see the recipe being made and then make it themselves. Keep the food warm in large pots and offer samples to visitors. Give away packs with small quantities of the spices needed along with the recipe itself.

Write signs welcoming people in Spanish and English and teach people how to say the main ingredients in Spanish.  Decorate your stall with Mexican flags and maps and Spanish words and pictures of food. Include the Spanish versions of the Values words on your flags and maps.

Warm up with a hot chilli

The One-pot Vegetable Chilli is ideal to serve at outdoor events in the colder months such as Bonfire parties or sporting events. Invite people to choose from a hot chilli (with extra chilli flakes/powder) or a milder one and teach them how to ask for this in Spanish.  Explain how you can tone down the heat by adding a spoonful of low-fat natural yoghurt or crème fraiche.  Give everyone a recipe to take away. 

Seasonal British veg

The One-Pot Vegetable Chilli can be adapted to use vegetables that are in season.  Invite an allotment owner, greengrocer or supermarket produce manager to talk to your group about which vegetables are in season in Britain and Northern Ireland at different times of year.  Learn the Spanish words for each vegetable and cook the chilli together as a group.

Key dates

• British Food Fortnight - 18 Sep-3 October 2010
• Bonfire Night 5 November each year