Holiday Entertainment ‘Nuevo Flavors’.

Every country has it’s national dish that its known for images of festive get-togethers and the aroma of home-cooked foods enliven the senses. Take a culinary trip this holiday season Nuevo Latino style by celebrating with Latin American bold flavors, colorful ingredients and sabroso avocados.

Culinary experts predict the fusion of Latin foods, known as Nuevo Latino, will surpass Italian food in popularity in the next 15 years. By taking flavors from Mexico, Central America, South America and the Caribbean, celebrated Chef Pepin has developed recipes to add new zest to fiestas this holiday season.

“One of the most memorable things about a social gathering is the food. By adding Nuevo Latino flavors your party becomes an unforgettable fiesta,” explains Chef Pepin, who is a regular Univision’s “Despierta America” and author of “En la Cocina con Pepin.”

Add to the Nuevo Latino mix when setting your menu by borrowing from the best your favorite Latin America dish. Serve savory guacamole with blue chips instead of traditional yellow. Make mock Mojitos from Cuba by adding a fresh mint leaf to a citrus cocktail. Complete the atmosphere with eclectic Latin music. Now that avocados are available year round, entertain with these festive recipes developed by Chef Pepin that cater to the senses and delight the palate.

· Latin Chicken Fiesta Salad – The tropical flavors of avocado, raspberries and pomegranates intermingle with the crunchiness of jicama to create a colorful salad. Serve family style over a bed of mixed greens to create a warm and inviting tablesetting.

· Nuevo Avocado Shrimp Cocktail – This standby gets spiced up as it is served in an avocado half and filled to the brim with prawns and savory, creamy sauce. Guests will be wowed by the exotic flavor as well as the ravishing display!

Chef Pepin is America’s ‘hautest’ authority on Hispanic cooking. Pepin is an international celebrity chef that left Cuba in 1960 without ever forgetting his roots. Pepin hosts the syndicated radio program “Hasta el Fin con Pepin” and is a regular on Univision’s top-rated morning show “Despierta America.”

· Forgo the mistletoe and wrap an avocado in ribbon and hang over the doorway to kiss your loved ones on each cheek as the Latins do. Avocados are thought to be aphrodisiacs and can lend to the intimacy of your fiesta.

· Use an avocado as a placeholder at each of your guest’s tablesetting. Write each person’s name on one-inch wide ribbon and tie around the thickest part of the avocado.

· Create a naturally beautiful centerpiece by delicately assembling bright green avocados in a silver fruit bowl.