Warm weather is just around the corner! Let me show you how to throw a perfect fiesta with the help of Grocery Outlet!
Warm weather is just around the corner and you know what that means….it’s fiesta season! I am dreaming of long sunny days, warm temps, carefree schedules, and gathering with friends and family on my back deck to enjoy some yummy snacks….and wine of course! Everything about summer seems simpler. No early wake ups, lots of no-cook meals, and lots of time spent outdoors. Pretty perfect if you ask me!
Grocery Outlet
Last week I went to my local Grocery Outlet and was able to grab all of the components for a perfect fiesta at a major discount! We’re talking avocados, plantains, organic tortilla chips, fresh veggies, and wine! Yep, WINE. They have a HUGE wine section with so many choices (use the handy website Barnivore to confirm that your wine choices are vegan)! I was so impressed with the prices—most of the bottles that I looked at were less than $5!
*** UPDATE *** Grocery Outlet is having a big HUGE sale on wine this week, 4/10/17!!! RUN over and pick up a few bottles while they are 20% OFF! Check your local sales flyer for details!
^^^ I even grabbed that cool bamboo cutting board for $6!!!
For those of you who aren’t familiar, Grocery Outlet is a discount grocery chain that offers amazing deals on groceries, ranging from fresh produce to frozen goods, and even some housewares (like the bamboo cutting board in my pictures)! When I went last week I was able to grab some great basics! I always get a large bottle of the Chosen Foods brand avocado oil for a super steal, and my kids’ favorite ice cream—the So Delicious Neapolitan flavor. It comes in the big tub for just a few dollars! And they even have gardein products in the freezer! Check out the NOSH section—it’s my favorite. NOSH stands for Natural Organic Specialty Healthy and it’s exactly that. All of my favorite brands at a major discount.
Grocery Outlet is always a fun adventure because I never know exactly what I’m going to find (their selection changes often), but I know that I will always find a great deal on something that I love. This past week’s surprise was Manitoba Harvest hemp bars—just 50¢ each (normally $3!!!) Check out their weekly flyer to see their current selection, and grab a $3 OFF coupon while you’re at it!
Sweet Fried Plantains
I was really excited to find super ripe plantains last week at Grocery Outlet! Maduros, fried ripe plantains, are a total Caribbean delicacy! Every time we visit my in laws they make them for me, and I love them so much. They are actually really simple to make—the key is to find ripe plantains, with a peel mostly covered in brown spots (fried green plantains are also delicious, but that’s a recipe for another day!).
So let’s get back to that fiesta! Quick and easy snacky dishes come together for a full party platter with something for everyone to enjoy! I served guacamole, queso dip, fried maduros, tortilla chips, and fresh veggies with a few bottles of wine. Delicious, simple, and fresh!
Fiesta Time!
Ok, ready to get cooking? Let’s do this! One easy fiesta coming right up! I hope you enjoy my suggestions for this quick party spread. I’d love to see how you put together a party spread, especially with delicious, yummy, vegan, and organic items you find at Grocery Outlet! You did grab your coupon, right? When you put your spread together be sure to take a picture and post it to social media. And don’t forget to tag me! {#frieddandelions // @frieddandelions}
How to Throw a Fiesta with Grocery Outlet
Ingredients
For the Maduros:
- 2 very ripe plantains with mostly dark brown spots
- neutral oil I used avocado oil found at Grocery Outlet
For the Fiesta:
- 1 recipe of guacamole (se notes)
- 1 recipe of vegan queso dip (see notes)
- fresh veggies for dipping I used baby peppers and tomatoes
- 1 bag of organic tortilla chips
- cilantro to garnish
- WINE!
Instructions
- Follow the directions to make both the guacamole and the vegan queso dip (linked above). Set aside.
For the Maduros:
- Pour enough oil into a small skillet to be about 1/2 inch deep. Heat over medium high heat. The oil will be ready for frying when you can put a wooden spoon into the oil and see small bubbles form around the spoon.
- Peel the plantains and slice on the diagonal, about 1/2 inch deep.
- Place the plantains into the oil, a few at a time, and fry for a minute or so on each side, carefully turning so you don't splash yourself with oil.
- When plantains are golden brown on each side carefully transfer them onto a plate lined with a paper towel.
- Repeat with remaining plantain slices.
For the Fiesta!
- Arrange the queso, guacamole, and maduros onto a serving platter.
- Fill in with the fresh veggies, and set out a bowl of tortilla chips
- Most importantly, set out a few glasses and pour yourself and your guests a glass of wine!
- Salud!
Notes
Need more fiesta ideas?
Don’t forget to pin this recipe!
