Themes are important .  Be it in a book, a menu, or a party, having a theme provides sense of congruence that sets the stage for things to come.  Not only must one have a theme, but they must have a good theme as well.  One that everyone can really get excited about and put their energy into.  My old roommates and I decided to throw a party with such a theme and everyone really got on board.  In turn, the result was another successful party.

 

 

What was the theme you ask?  Senior Trip.  Although it makes sense since I still live in my hometown, it never fails to blow my mind how many people from high school are still around and in touch.  I’d say we had at least 5-10 people in attendance who were on said senior trip, to Cancun of course, and even more pictures of said people on display.  Other party favors included a sound track right out of high school including the classic Kilo, Green Day, and Abercrombie & Fitch songs, leis, Senior Girls t-shirts, Graduation paraphernalia, Malibu and punch.  Lest you forget, drinking at 18 is legal in Mexico!

 

I, of course, was charged with food and my (in)famous drunken pineapple.  Despite the fact that we ate chicken fingers at Tony Roma’s more days than not, I went with something a tad more unique since technically we are grownups now.  That said, I’m pretty sure some fried chicken cordon bleu bites made an appearance at some point during the night…

 

 

Hominy Bean Dip

• 1 can hominy
• 1 can black eyed peas
• 1 can black beans
• 1/3 cup Olive oil
• 1 T Cumin
• ¼ c red wine vinegar
• 1 green pepper (chopped)
• 1 T minced garlic
• 1 Tomato (diced)
• 1 Red Onion (diced)
• 1 t chili powder
• S&P
• 2 Limes (juiced)
• 3 Serrano peppers (seeds removed & diced)

 

 

 

Tropical Dip

• 1 Red Pepper (diced)
• 1 Tomato (diced)
• 1 cup Pineapple (diced)
• ½ c red onion (diced)
• 1 Mango (diced)
• 1 Jalapeño (seeded & diced)
• 1 Lime (juice only)
• 2 T Cilantro (chopped)

 

 

 

 

 

Chipotle Avocado Dip

Sorry no pics turned out – I promise it’s a looker!

• 1 can corn
• 2 avocados (chopped)
• ¼ cup chipotles in sauce (chopped)
• 1 tomato (chopped)

 

Special thanks to my dear old roomie Emmy without whom I NEVER would have finished all the chopping, managed the big tequila spill, or had pictures of the fab results!!!