The Mexican Meal I Made for the 'Family Sports Day'

Every year the Foster family get together for s sports day. The original idea was that we would go for a walk, a run, a cycle.... then eat. Mostly now we just eat.....

This year the theme was Mexican. Most of what I cooked is described under Mexican To Impress Your Friends. I made a few changes.

Chiles en Nogada - or stuffed peppers

I sourced some Poblano Chiles online. These are a similar size to capsicum peppers - but they are mild chile flavour. Roast the chiles over a gas flame until the skin is blistered and black then drop into a plastic bag, close up and leave it to cool a little. By then you should be able to rub the skin off easily. Slit gently down the side and remove the seeds.

Stuff the peppers with picadillo, then cover and bake in a hot oven.

Make a walnut sauce - soak 80g of walnut halves in milk for a few hours. Drain and mix with 100g soft cheese, 150g creme fraiche, 1tsp sugar, 1/4 tsp ground cinnamon in a food processor and blend until smooth. Pour over the peppers and put back in the oven for a few minutes. 

Garnish with pomegranate seeds and chopped coriander to serve.

Chicken Fajitas

4 small chicken breasts, sliced

1 red onion finely sliced

1 red pepper, sliced (although I sometimes mix both red and green peppers)

1 red chilli, sliced finely

1 heaped tbsp smoked paprika

1 tbsp ground coriander

1/2 tsp cumin

2 medium cloves garlic, crushed

lug of olive oil

juice of 1 lime

Mix all the ingredients and leave to marinate - anything from 10 minutes to 24 hours.

Cook on a very hot griddle until chicken is cooked through and the onions and pepper have softened.

Serve with soft tortillas and all the trimmings.