Written by Di Bauer October 26, 2001, Updated by Andrew DiMino April 21, 2023

Low Carb Cooking 101: Low Carb Lesson #13: Low Carb Mexican Fiesta

Everyone loves a Low Carb Fiesta – Mexican and Southwestern food, and you don’t have to go out to a restaurant to get it. When it’s time for a family party what better theme is there to have than a Mexican fiesta? This colorful meal is guaranteed to perk everybody up on a cold, damp day.

Tonight’s meal is a little more time-consuming than some, but it’s worth both the time and effort. Every once in awhile it’s nice to serve something special, and that doesn’t have to mean buying expensive steaks or roasts. Ground beef and vegetables can be special, too, if you pay attention to color, texture, taste, and presentation.

So grab a world atlas, an encyclopedia, or print out some information from the Internet and have the kids read something about Mexico. Afterward, keep them occupied by having them color Mexican-themed placemats. Put candles on the table (curled ribbons at the base lend a festive touch), and serve the Pina Colada Mocktails in fancy glasses. If you have the time, stop by the library ahead a couple of days ahead of time and borrow a cassette or CD featuring Hispanic music and play it softly during dinner for background music.

If you want to simplify this meal, you can choose to serve either the Mexi-Gratin Fauxtatoes or the Red Pepper Green Bean Medley and not both. The Pina Colada Mocktails are entirely optional, too, of course. Here’s This Evening’s Low-Carb Recipes

Low-Carb Mexican Fiesta Meatloaf

Low-Carb Mexi-Gratin Fauxtatoes

Low-Carb Red Pepper Bean Medley

Low-Carb Southwest Deviled Eggs

Low-Carb Pina Colada Mocktail

Here’s The Gameplan for Low Carb Lesson #13

You can prepare much of tonight’s recipes ahead of time so that you can relax and enjoy the party when you’re ready to serve the meal.

The night before, prepare the Southwestern Deviled Eggs. You can either go ahead and stuff the yolk mixture back into the eggs at this time and cover them with plastic wrap or you can place the yolk mixture in a container with a lid and put the empty whites in a Zip Lock bag to assemble right before dinner.

While the eggs are boiling, put together the Fiesta Meatloaf, leaving the shredded cheese topping off until it’s time to bake the meatloaf. Cover it tightly with plastic wrap and put it in the refrigerator to be ready to bake tomorrow.

Clean and cut up the cauliflower and place the ready-to-steam cauliflower in a Zip Lock bag ready for tomorrow. Dice, chop, or shred the tomatoes, green onions, iceberg lettuce, and onion. These small quantities will keep nicely in the refrigerator in snack-size Zip Lock bags.

The night you are going to serve the meal, preheat the oven to 350 degrees, take the plastic wrap off the prepared Fiesta Meatloaf, and put it in the oven to bake. Set the timer for 30 minutes.

After the meatloaf is in the oven, steam the cauliflower in the microwave, drain it, and follow the recipe directions to complete the preparations. When the oven timer dings at the end of the initial 30 minute baking time, slide the Mexi-Gratin Fauxtatoes into the oven and set the timer for an additional 15 minutes.

Set the table now, and be sure to put ice water in glasses and an additional pitcher of ice water either on the table or within convenient reach.

When the timer dings again, take the Fiesta Meatloaf out of the oven and place the shredded cheese on top. Put the meatloaf back in the oven and set the oven timer for an additional 15 minutes.

Prepare the Red Pepper Green Bean Medley.

Get out the Southwestern Deviled Eggs and fill them with the yolk mixture if you haven’t done so the night before.

Place all the ingredients for the Pina Colada Mocktails except the ice in the blender so they’re ready to whiz up at the last minute.

When the oven timer dings for the last time, take the Fiesta Meatloaf and the Mexi-Gratin Fauxtatoes out of the oven. Set them on the stove or a hot pad.

Add the ice to the blender, whiz up the mocktails, and pour the drinks into pretty glasses.

To serve the meal, place 1 cup of shredded iceberg lettuce on each dinner plate and place a slice of meatloaf atop the lettuce. Place a Southwestern Deviled Egg on each plate, then servings of the Mexi-Gratin Fauxtatoes and the Red Pepper Green Bean Medley. If you wish, the extra food can be placed on serving plates on the table.

Call everybody and tell them to wash their hands and come to the table. Dim the lights and light the candles if you have them. Turn on the music, and sit down to a well-deserved, fun-filled party with your favorite people!

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