title: Fiesta at Rick's: Fabulous Food for Great Times with Friends
author:  Rick Bayless 
description: Bayless has spent the past three decades eating his way across Mexico one plate at a time, as his PBS series proclaims. But for his seventh cookbook, he has switched modes from hunter-gatherer to home dweller, providing 150 recipes geared toward kicking back and relaxing with friends. Indeed, the attention paid to tequila in the opening chapter could easily lead to guests never leaving the sofa. A blood orange margarita and a Mexican mojito top the list, though Bayless also includes instructions for having a proper tequila tasting. Building up a thirst is no problem given the variety of hot, tangy, and pepper-filled dishes that are the author's stock in trade. Mango guacamole and chipotle-roasted almonds get things going. There are five different ceviches for seafood fans, tacos and tamales inspired by Mexican diners and street vendors, and an Oaxacan-style lamb pit barbecue for those who don't mind digging a hole in the backyard. To assure the proper fiesta atmosphere, there are song suggestions in a tropical party playlist. And for those who want to throw a really big shindig, there are several megarecipes that cover every detail of such ambitious efforts as a Mexican mole fiesta for 24 and a seafood cocktail party for 12. These include not just the menu items but also a time line of when to buy and prepare each item, serving strategies, and embellishments. <i>(July)</i> <br />Copyright  Reed Business Information, a division of Reed Elsevier Inc. All rights reserved.
zlib_text: # Chapter 24
  
  
  
  
  
  
  
  
  ### Rick
  
  
  After dinner, I quickly excused myself from the table. I was running late to
  meet up with Chris. My mom walked out with me to the car, making me promise to
  meet her for lunch this week so we could talk more and solidify the plans for
  the dinner party she wanted to have for me this coming Saturday.
  
  
  As I opened the car door, she wrapped her arms around me. “ _Mi hijo bello_ ,
  I’m so happy you came by today.” She placed a kiss on my cheek. “Did you
  forget to pack your razor?”
  
  
  “Something like that.” I laughed, getting into my car. “I’ll see you Thursday
  for lunch.”
  
  
  “ _Te quiero_ ,” she called out, waving.
  
  
  “Love you, too.”
  
  
  I pulled out of the driveway. Through the rearview mirror, I could see her
  watching me drive away. I would tell her about Madison at lunch. That would
  give enough time for her to process the idea of my bringing a woman to this
  celebration, but it wouldn’t be enough time for her to ask too many questions.
  
  
  On my way to Martini Bar