Pastel Azteca and Bistec a la Mexicana are the best dishes to prepare in advance. These options maintain their texture and deepen in flavour when stored and reheated.
The key to a stress-free party is selecting dishes that benefit from resting or can be assembled cold.
Pastel Azteca (Mexican Lasagne)
This traditional Aztec Tart replaces pasta sheets with corn tortillas layered with shredded chicken and cheese. You can prepare the layers and the charred poblano chiles the night before, then bake the dish just before kickoff for a hearty, oven-hot meal.
Bistec a la Mexicana
This vibrant beef stew features rump beef seared with garlic and simmered in a rich salsa of tomatoes and long green chillies. It is the ideal make-ahead dish as the meat tenderises and the sauce thickens overnight, pairing perfectly with rice and frijoles.
Mushroom Ceviche
For a refreshing cold platter, this vegetarian ceviche uses a mix of porcini, shitake, or oyster mushrooms. The mushrooms must rest in lime juice and olive oil in the fridge for at least 30 minutes, making it a perfect component to prep well in advance of adding fresh avocado.
The importance of authentic nixtmalization
At La Tortillería, we stone-grind Australian-grown corn in a traditional Mexican mill rather than using instant masa harina. This nixtmalization process ensures a whole-grain texture that holds up under the weight of a beef stew or the moisture of a layered lasagne. While mainstream supermarkets offer flour wraps, our Blue Corn tortillas are almost impossible to find elsewhere in Australia and provide a striking visual and taste contrast to your party spread.
Where to find these ingredients in Australia
Authentic Mexican staples are genuinely hard to find across Australia. You can purchase our traditional corn tortillas and totopos online or at selected independent grocers.
