Mexican appetizers are colorful, tangy, and varied. They bring to the table a flavor that is unique and a taste that can’t be matched…Mexican cuisine has a Spanish or Middle Eastern influence in its flavor and taste. The food is known for its use of a variety of native spices that can alter the taste of any meal from mild to really hot and spicy. Quick and easy Mexican appetizers can be used for any occasion, they will not only add color to your party, but also arouse hunger, in anticipation of a dinner based on Mexican cuisine. A few of the more popular Mexican appetizers are listed below, along with the ways to prepare these mouth watering delicacies.

Quick and Easy Mexican Appetizer Recipes

Pepper Salsa
Ingredients:
Black beans, drained and rinsed, 1 can
Finely minced red pepper, ½ pepper
Finely minced yellow pepper, ½ pepper
Seeded and minced jalapeno, 3-4 peppers
Finely minced avocado, 1
Finely minced red onion, 1
Finely minced cilantro, ½ bunch
Fresh lime juice, 2 tbsp
Olive oil, 1 tbsp
Hot sauce, 1 tbsp
Salt, 1 tsp
In a small bowl, juice lime over the avocado, and set aside. In another large bowl, mix all ingredients and prepare the salsa. Combine lime flavored avocado with salsa, and serve with tortilla chips.

Camarones Rellenos
Ingredients:
Large shrimps, de-veined and butterflied with tails attached, 24
Thick slices lean bacon cut in half, 12
Shredded Manchego (melting cheese), 1½ cup
Mayonnaise, 1½ cup
Finely chopped chilies – Chipotles en Adobo, 3
Adobo sauce, 1 tsp
Minced garlic, 1 clove
Minced lime zest, 1 tbsp
Olive oil, 4 tbsp
Freshly ground black pepper to taste
In a medium sized bowl, combine the chilies and adobo sauce, mayonnaise, garlic, lime juice and lime zest, and mix well. In a large heavy frying pan, place bacon slices in a single layer and cook over medium-low heat until soft. Keep pressing down the bacon with a spatula to keep it flat. Transfer to absorbent paper to drain, and set aside. Repeat procedure with all bacon slices.

Dry the shrimp completely with paper towels, taking care not to press them too much. Sprinkle with pepper, and stuff with cheese. Push the sides together and wrap with cooked bacon slice, covering all the cheese so it won’t melt out while cooking. If needed, secure with a toothpick.

Heat 2 tablespoons of oil in the frying pan used to cook the bacon. Add a few of the bacon-wrapped shrimp and fry, taking care to gently turn over frequently, until the bacon is brown and the shrimp is pink, and cooked. Transfer to absorbent paper and let it drain well. Serve the shrimp with the chipotle mayonnaise.

Mexican Squares Recipe
Ingredients:
All-purpose flour, ¼ cup
Eggs, 5
Fresh seeded jalapeno, 4 ounces
Sour cream, 1 cup
Grated Cheddar, 2 cups
Mexican hot sauce, 2 tbsp
Fresh cilantro leaves, 1tbsp
Unsalted butter, 1 tbsp
Baking powder, ¾ tsp
Salt to taste
In a large bowl, whisk together eggs, flour, salt and baking powder until smooth. Gradually stir in diced peppers, sour cream, cheese, hot sauce, and cilantro. Melt butter in a square baking dish and pour the egg mixture into it and spread with a spatula. Bake in a pre-heated oven to 350° F, until toothpick inserted in center comes out clean. When cooled, cut into squares, and serve with sauce of your choice.

Mexican appetizers offer a wide variety that one can choose from, depending on the occasion and the number of people. These mouth-watering Mexican appetizer recipes are easy to make, and one can enjoy them with family and friends.