Mexican themed wedding shower: Guest food gift?

I am planning my sisters mexican themed wedding shower. I want to give all the guests a gift. Although I don't like jarred salsa, this would be a good idea.

Looking for recommendations for a foodie type gift with a mexican theme to give all the guests at the shower, brand names appreciated.

Not food, but go to the Mexican Fine Arts museum gift shop and buy them a Catrina doll, they've got an incredible selection, prettier than those pictured, that aren't very expensive. For food, I guess you could find calaveras de azucar, though it's not really that time of year yet.

Or, I love the box of Abuelita hot chocolate, easy to find at any ethnic grocery and sometimes even at the Jewel. Inside, there's divided circles of sweet, cinnamon-y chocolate that you beat into hot milk. I have to admit, when I bought it, it was for the advertising!

Almost any Mexican grocery store will have a selection of Mexican candies. You could make up little baskets of them.

Baskets:
Jarred salsa?? Sorry, but ewwwww. (maybe a little can of Herdez salsa verde or casera)

Mojo Criollo

Chipotles in adobo in the little cans

dried whole peppers (multiple brands in the little plastic pouches hanging at EVERY Mexican grocer) - pasillas, anchos, arbol, etc

dried ground peppers (same deal) - these will both run about 89c to 1.19.

The abuelita chocolate

Mexican brown sugar

Mexican Vanilla extract (will cost some $)

Few cans of tamarind nectar (jumex brand et al)

I wish there was some good jarred mole paste, but I haven't found any (yet) teloloapan is OK, and they make small containers of it for like 2.50ish. But there are other brands too - Dona Maria, Rogelio etc. Maybe each basket could have a different one?

Goya Sazon packets - adobo?

Achiote boxes?

Wander around a nice size jimenez - your possiblities for cheap but overflowing gift baskets are endless.

And don't forget a mortar and pestle.

I am becoming more and more cautious about gifts for random people that require the recipient to do anything resembling cooking. My sense is that many such gifts are wasted.

If you don't know the recipients cook, something ready-to-eat is safest.

dulce de leche, cajeta, chocolate definitely

I don't think this crowd would use the items that you have to cook something with like the peppers or the mojo. This is pretty small town America and the area has two mexican places to eat. Maybe a tortilla warmer with something in it?

funholidaygirl wrote:I don't think this crowd would use the items that you have to cook something with like the peppers or the mojo. This is pretty small town America and the area has two mexican places to eat. Maybe a tortilla warmer with something in it?

If it's anything like the small towns I have lived in, you might want to go with the salsa. Frontera has jarred salsa and Herdez comes in jars also. The cans seem a little tacky for gift giving to me. You could do a fabric round tied with raffia or ribbon over the top of the jars. You know your guests best.

If you do go with food, you may want to include a recipe card to show them how to use the ingredients. I'm not sure where you are located but if you're in Chicago, go to a good Mexican grocer and get some of the items listed above. I'd stick either with chocolate/sweets or, if you need to go salsa, go with the Frontera Grill label (major grocery chains) and get good tortilla chips (El Milagro, El Ranchero).

If you don't have access to a Mexican grocer, well, it just makes it that much tougher...

Good luck.

I am in Racine, we do have a Mexican grocer. Still thinking of ideas. I dont think they stock Frontera up here. We did have a Jewel but that closed down unfortunately.

I am going to shop around and see what I come up with, any additional ideas are welcome

Penzey's Spices has a Taco Seasoning. I recently bought a small jar, but haven't used it yet. I believe the jar has directions on how to use with ground beef and how to make a taco dip. This may not be the most authentic Mexican item, but it might appeal to many guests.

See this link for details about the seasoning.

someone mentioned cajeta previously but didn't explain what it is. Cajeta is goat's milk that has been cooked down slowly until it is thick and sweet and essentially like a rich caramel sauce. It is lovely on ice cream and crepes and even smeared on a good hunk of toast. It would be a lovely gift for a shower but . . . I don't know if you can get it in Racine. My second thought is slightly obvious but you could make Mexican Wedding Cookies (super simple, buttery and yummy google the recipe) and put 4-6 of them in a small clear goodie bag or small favor box . . .

good luck (buena suerte!)

bjt