Food and Recipes Entertaining Ideas & Tips Jenna Bush Hager Hosts a Texas Fiesta By Jenna Bush Hager Jenna Bush Hager Jenna Bush Hager is the cohost of the fourth hour of the Today show with Hoda Kotb and the founder of the Today book club, Read with Jenna. She is the coauthor of the #1 New York Times bestselling Ana's Story and two children's books that she wrote with her mother, Laura—Our Great Big Backyard and Read All About It—as well as the #1 New York Times bestsellers Sisters First, written with her sister, Barbara, in both adult and children's editions. The former first daughter and granddaughter, was born and raised in Texas. She lives with her husband and three children in New York City. Jenna is Editor-At-Large of Southern Living. Find her on Instagram and Facebook and find her books here. Southern Living's editorial guidelines Updated on August 22, 2017 Share Tweet Pin Email Trending Videos Photo: Stephen Karlisch I'm a homesick Texan living in New York City. So when I travel back to Dallas, I always try to combine both of my loves in one delicious evening: a Mexican dinner with dear friends. Though my mother is a great hostess, she's not as great a cook. When I was growing up, her most demanded meals were beans and cornbread, tacos, and quesadillas. Simple foods, yes, but she always threw creative dinner parties with beautifully set tables and invited a group of hilarious friends who filled the house with laughter. 01 of 10 Hosting at It's Best Stephen Karlisch Now that I'm an adult, I love to throw dinner parties. Whether hosting in my New York apartment or back in Texas, I always gravitate toward Mexican food and margaritas. This cuisine has been at the center of many important nights. When my husband, Henry, and I got married, we served Mexican food at the welcome party for our wedding. Later, at a baby shower in Texas, it was enchiladas again. My dear 93-year-old friend Ruth sat next to me and said, "Thank goodness—real food! I never trust anyone who serves tea sandwiches." 02 of 10 A Reason to Gather Stephen Karlisch I recently brought my best friends (some of whom I have known since elementary school) together for some real food under twinkling lights at a Mexican-themed dinner on the back patio of my parents' house in Dallas to celebrate Diez y Seis de Septiembre (September 16). This day marking Mexico's independence from Spain is a holiday we studied throughout school when we were growing up in Texas. 03 of 10 The Man Behind the Food Stephen Karlisch The night was particularly special because Larry McGuire, a good friend for 20 years and a chef at some of my favorite restaurants in Austin—Lamberts Downtown Barbecue, June's All Day, and Perla's Seafood & Oyster Bar— devised the menu. We planned the meal and decided on simple foods and, of course, queso! His creativity and success in the kitchen are no surprise; he's been catering since high school. 04 of 10 A Festive Table Stephen Karlisch I wanted to keep the mood lively and the décor interesting—it was a spirited fiesta, after all! We layered different patterns, added pops of bright colors, and mixed new and old pieces, which included my mom's Mexican pottery. The menus were designed by PoppyCox Ink out of Fort Worth, Texas. 05 of 10 Sweet Takeaways Stephen Karlisch For fun favors, I chose personalized cookies (which doubled as placed cards) from Artisserie Cakes in Austin. 06 of 10 The Queso Stephen Karlisch This queso gets a hit of smokiness from the roasted chiles and peppers. Recipe: Roasted Poblano Queso 07 of 10 The Dip Stephen Karlisch This dip is best served immediately to keep the avocado fresh. Recipe: Avocado Pico 08 of 10 The Signature Cocktails Stephen Karlisch Larry McGuire mixed up two festive drinks for everyone to sip on all evening long. Recipe: McGuire's MargaritaRecipe: McGuire's Paloma 09 of 10 The Menu Stephen Karlisch For the entrée, the group dined on some of McGuire's favorite dishes. Recipe: Brown Sugar-and-Mustard Rubbed Ribeye with Roasted Garlic Salsa VerdeRecipe: Roasted Marble Potatoes and Sunchokes with RosemaryRecipe: Watercress SaladRecipe: Warm Plum Cobbler 10 of 10 Good Friends Stephen Karlisch I love how we can come together after being apart for a year and catch up as though no time has passed at all. Did it take some planning? Sure. But old friends are always worth it. Styling: Lara Amis/On Set Management; Hair and Makeup: MIichelle Dick/On Set Management Was this page helpful? Thanks for your feedback! Tell us why! Other Submit