• Roasted Tomatillo
• Roasted Tomato Chipotle
• Ersatz Papalote
• Sarin's Salsa
• Fire-Roasted Habanero
• Roasted Tomatillo
• Chipotle Tomatillo
• Peach Salsa
• Central Market's 4th Anniversary Salsa
• Texas - Texas Premium Salsa
• Pinto Bean Dip

I know it's still nearly two hours until party time, but I thought that I'd get the list started. Here's what we've got so far:

• Espolon Reposado
• Espolon Silver
• Sauza Tres Generaciones Plata
• Dos Lunas Silver
• Dos Lunas Reposado
• Patron Anejo
• Jose Cuervo Black
• Cazadores Reposado
• Cuervo 1800 Reposado
• Patron Silver
• Don Julio Silver
• 100 Anos Blanco

Mixers

• Cointreau
• Gran Gala
• Triple Sec
• Fresh Squeezed Lime Juice
• Rose's Lime Juice
• Gran Marnier

Well, heck—the weekend sure did sneak up fast! There's just one more day until the 2nd Annual Tequila and Salsa Party. Here's a little checklist for all of you:

• Print a map to the house from the Evite invitation.
• Don't forget to put our phone number into your phone, in case you get lost.
• If you're bringing salsa, do bring a bag of your favorite chips (one bag is more than enough).
• We've got the basics for mixing drinks, but if you want to bring your own equipment (shaker, measuring glass, shot glass...whatever), feel free.
• Let me know what kind of tequila you're bringing.
• Let me know if you're bringing a salsa.
• Let me know what food you're bringing.
• Show up and have a great time!

Regarding 3 of the last 4 items (the "Let me know" items), just reply to the email I sent a couple of days ago, or use the Contact Us form, if it is working when you read this.

For the 1st Annual Tequila and Salsa Party, I made a Green Chile Brisket, which we shredded and served in warm corn tortillas for some delicious brisket tacos. I won't be making the brisket again for the 2nd Annual Tequila and Salsa Party, but I thought that some of you might like to have the recipe for your own use.

I found the recipe in the Recipes section of Central Market's website. Check out their site, they've got a ton of really yummy looking recipes over there! Without further ado, here's the Green Chile Brisket recipe:

Green Chile Brisket

Courtesy of: Central Market
8 to 12 servings

1 (6-pound) brisket, trimmed
salt and pepper to taste
8 ounces tomatillos, peeled
1 poblano chile, cut into halves
2 jalapeño chiles, cut into halves
1 onion, cut into thick rings
1/2 bunch cilantro
2 or 3 sprigs epazote (optional)

Preheat the oven to 275 degrees. Season the brisket liberally with salt and pepper. Sear the brisket over high heat in a heavy roasting pan. Add enough water to the pan to measure 1/4 inch. Stir, scraping any browned bits from the bottom. Add the tomatillos, chiles, onion, cilantro and epazote. Cover tightly with foil. Bake for 3 1/2 to 4 hours or until fork tender, adding additional water if needed. Place the brisket on a large platter.

Drain the cooked vegetables, reserving the pan drippings. Skim off and discard any fat. Purée the vegetables with enough of the reserved drippings to make a medium-thick salsa. Serve the brisket with the warm salsa and flour tortillas.

You may prepare this 1 day in advance for enhanced flavor and reheat the salsa.

People often ask me what they should bring to the party, but since I can barely decide what to make myself, I can't possibly be expected to help others with this question—can I? So here's what I tell them...

First, it is important to understand the purpose of the Tequila and Salsa Party: the celebration of tequila, salsa, and friends. Since tequila and the type of salsa we tend to eat are considered to be products of Mexico, to me, it is important that the foods not only compliment those two things, but are also Mexican in origin. To me, "Mexican in origin" means traditional Mexican food, and anything derived from traditional Mexican food (Tex-Mex, for example). Keeping this in mind as a guideline, there's really no limit as to what kind of food someone can bring to the party.

Personally, I will be making traditional Tex-Mex crispy beef tacos, salsa, and something else. It's that something else, that has me stumped. I'd really like to do some fish tacos, but I've never made them before, and unless they're done right, they're really not all that good. I'll probably end up doing something along the lines of some variation of Mexican street food (spicy, meat filled soft corn tortillas, with chopped onion, jalapeno, lime wedges, and perhaps some cilantro).

What I want to know is who's got dessert?

In the last couple of weeks, I've cranked up my salsa production in anticipation of this weekend. Here are a couple of posts from that effort (with pictures!):

• Making Some Salsa
• The Perfect Salsa?
• Another Day, Another Salsa

I am pretty pleased with my most recent salsa, but I just can't decide what to make for the party. All of these salsas have been huge hits, both with family and at work. Maybe I'll make them all.

As we approach the 2nd Annual Tequila and Salsa Party, I thought folks might like to know a little bit about the 1st Annual Tequila and Salsa Party. The party was a great time, featuring delicious food, and strong drinks. Of course the night wouldn't have been complete with out a great group of friends. I sure am getting psyched up reading about last year's party—it was such a good time! Heck, while the party started at 7 PM, it didn't really get cranked up until midnight. I think we finally started settling down between 3-4 AM.

Here's Sara, Julie, and Ashley (did the cameraman already have a few too many?).

Given that this is the Tequila and Salsa Party, one of the biggest decisions is what kind of tequila to bring. I tend to encourage guests to bring their favorite sipping and/or mixing tequilas, or something that they've been wanting to try, but I'm never sure what to bring myself. Personally, I love using the good stuff all of the time. I don't care if it is being mixed or sipped. Of course, my bank account can't afford the good stuff all that often, so I am left with trying to find the right mix of quality and value. So far, my bottom line is Jose Cuervo Tradicional. What's yours? (I know comments aren't working right now, but they will be soon!)

Here are the tequilas from last year's party:

• 1800 Silver
• Sol Dios Platinum
• Milagro Reposado
• Patron Anejo
• Sauza Blanco
• Tres Generaciones Anejo
• Jose Cuervo Classico

There's just 5 days left until the 2nd Annual Tequila and Salsa Party! Do you know what you're bringing? Is your salsa rounding into shape? Have you decided on a tequila?

These are tough decisions that shouldn't wait until the last minute—guess that means I need to get cracking!