Cooking Mexican Food

If there is one thing that the country of Mexico is known for around the world, it is its delicious food. Cooking Mexican food may seem complicated, but with a little practice, anyone can cook delicious Mexican food at home. All they need to do is gain a little bit of knowledge about traditional Mexican ingredients and techniques.
Burritos are a popular and easily made Mexican food. In order to truly make fresh burritos, it is necessary to get a tortilla press. This instrument flattens masa, a corn meal dough, into thin patties. The patties are then briefly cooked and transformed into tortillas.
One of the most commonly used ingredients in Mexican food is peppers. There are many varieties of peppers, but the most common used in Mexican cooking are the jalapeno, ancho and serrano. Hardly a Mexican dish is presented that does not feature some form of pepper with varying degrees of hotness.
The only problem with most of the peppers that are used is that they are extremely hot, which makes them very flavorful, but can cause irritation if not handled properly. When cooking with hot peppers, it is necessary to wear gloves to keep the oils from getting all over the hands. It is also important to avoid contact between the hands and eyes or face when working with them. If you find that you love the taste but hate the pain afterwards, you can try using a spoonful of sugar or dairy products to try and cool the heat.
Learning how to cook authentic Mexican food is a great way to celebrate Cinco de Mayo or just to try something new. The bold flavors help make any meal exciting and the dishes are unlike food from many other cultures. Next time the craving for a delicious burrito hits, avoid the fast food Mexican joints and try making some delicious, authentic Mexican food in your own kitchen.







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Traditional Mexican Food an Inside Look at This Tasty Cuisine

It might surprise you to know that Mexican food is considered to be the most varied in the world after Chinese food. Every region of the country has its own food style and Mexican cuisine in vast. The Mexican food eaten in the Yucatan is especially exciting, since it is a unique mixture of Mexican, Mayan, Caribbean and Lebanese influences.

A Look at Mexican Cuisine

Some Mexican dishes are spicy but not everything is. Chili peppers are widely used in Mexican cookery and there are lots of variations of them, including pasilla, habanero, serrano, poblano, and jalapeo. Mexicans like to vary their diets by eating meat, fish, poultry, seafood, fruit, vegetables and grains, or at least the ones who can afford to. Stews, soups, and sauces are common Mexican foods and cooking methods include baking, deep-frying and slow roasting.

Mexicans like to eat fresh fruit and vegetables and anything older than two days is not considered fresh. Costly pesticides and herbicides are hardly used and produce is picked when ripe or very nearly ripe. Imported food is usually shunned in favor of locally grown produce and everything is grown nearby. The exception would be Mexico City, where produce that is not likely to be sold is exported.

Traditional Mexican Food it's Not What You Think

One of the main components of a Mexican typical meal has to be tortillas. These are balls of masa, or corn dough, flattened to a CD sized disc. They are so much of a staple food that the government maintains the price at five pesos a kilo! Authentic tortillas are made of corn and they are freshly made in the supermarket all day long. They are used to make tacos and traditional tacos are soft, rather than the prefab U-shaped ones you would see in Mexican fast food joints.

Tamales, tortillas, and tacos are traditionally made from corn. A lot of soups and stews include fava beans, kidney beans, and lentils. Tomatoes are used in various Mexican food recipes and especially in salsa recipes.

Fruit is popular in Mexico and is eaten fresh or used in desserts and sauces. Papaya, coconut, mango, and pineapple are all favorites. Nopales, which are prickly pear cactus paddles, are sauted and eaten like a vegetable. You can also get them sweetened and used in Mexican dessert recipes.

Mexican Condiments Mean More than Just Salsas

A lot of people favor the addition of salsa, lime, or sour cream to their food. In a traditional Mexican restaurant, you will also get small bowls of condiments. These are likely to include chopped onion, cilantro, a mild chili salsa, a hot chili salsa, salsa Mexicana and lime. Salsa Mexicana is made from chopped onion, chopped fresh tomato, cilantro and habanero chili. You might also get guacamole, which is an avocado and lime sauce. Charred green onion mixed with salsa ingles (Worcestershire sauce) and limejuice is another well-liked Mexican condiment.

Many Mexican food recipes are rich in flavor and color and the use of fresh produce is important. A lot of people make the mistake of confusing Mexican fast food and Tex Mex style Mexican cooking for real, traditional Mexican food but authentic Mexican cuisine is a true delight.

If you would like to find out just how simple it is to create colorful, flavorful, fresh Mexican meals, have a look at MexicanFoodRecipes.org for the tastiest recipes. The rich Aztec and Mayan heritage shines through Mexican cookery, as well as Spanish flavors, making it an absolutely delicious cuisine.

If you are looking for some great recipes or tips on cooking Mexican food and recipes of your own, the site will be very helpful. Whether you want a quick and spicy burrito, mild salad, or sweet and spicy salsa we have a wonderful selection of Mexican food recipes to choose from.

If you are in the mood for Mexican food tonight why not give one of our recipes like our Crockpot Chipotle and Beef Burritos a try. Just one of the many delicious Mexican treats on our site.

While there take some time to learn more about the extraordinary history, culture and cooking methods used to make this wonderful blend of old and new world cuisine. We also have a full Mexican Cooking Glossary complete with phonetic pronunciations for the none Spanish speaking Mexican food lover.

A Healthy Heart - Could Traditional Mexican Food Be the Answer?

A lot of Americans consider Mexican food as being one of their favorite cuisines and many Americans consume Mexican food at least once a week. Mexican recipes are well loved throughout the United States but Americanized Mexican recipes and authentic Mexican recipes often differ greatly. Americans are fond of adding extra fat and super-sizing their portions. If you visit Mexico, you might not even find the same dishes because Americans have created their own versions of a lot of them. Traditional Mexican food contains a lot of fresh vegetables, vitamins, spices, and proteins, the portion sizes are smaller, and a lot less fat is added.

Healthy Mexican Food versus Unhealthy Mexican Fast Food

Traditional Mexican dishes are usually healthy Mexican food. Tomatoes, which are used in a lot of traditional Mexican recipes contain lycopene, which fights cancer, and are rich in vitamins. This does not mean you should not enjoy American style Mexican food but you can make it healthier if you make your own or visit Mexican fast food outlets less often.

The Makings of Healthy Mexican Food?

Beans are high in protein and fiber and can be added whole to recipes rather than refried because this cuts back on fat. Corn is a common Mexican food addition, which can maintain a healthy heart. It contains fiber and is high in vitamin content. Adding such ingredients as corn, whole beans and tomatoes to your Mexican recipes can promote health and cut back on fat while maintaining a great Mexican flavor in your dishes.

So, do Mexicans eat healthily? Well, there are plenty of health food stores in America where we can buy healthy food alternatives and there are also health food stores in Mexico. In fact, over $500 million is spent on health foods yearly in Mexico. Not everybody can afford to pay more for health foods however.

Five percent of the population of Mexico regularly consumes health foods. They range from twenty to fifty in age and normally live in metropolitan areas where health food shops are located. Even Mexicans with less money eat more healthily than most Americans. Traditional Mexican recipes are healthier than a lot of American recipes and Americanized Mexican dishes. In addition, Mexicans use different cooking methods and do not use fattening cooking methods such as deep-frying as often as Americans do.

Mexican Food Pyramid Food for a Healthy You

You are probably wondering again, is Mexican food healthy for me. Authentic Mexican dishes are, because they carry many vitamins and are generally low in fat. America has fattened up the Mexican dishes making them not a good choice. If you want to go out to eat, try avoiding the major Mexican food chain restaurants. Find a restaurant that serves authentic dishes. It is healthier and will taste even better knowing you are giving your body good foods.

Discover the truth about Mexican food history and find out more about the wonderful spices that make Mexican recipes a favorite with the whole family.

Looking Into Mexican Food History

Historically, Mexican food is one of the most loved cuisines amongst American eaters all over the U.S. and has spread to other countries as well. Of course, depending on the amount of "heat" or fats in a particular Mexican dish, it may cause a problem for some of the more delicate digestive tracts. And that brings us to the point of healthy eating and Mexican food.

The problem with most Mexican foods that you find north of the border is that they have been infused with too much fat and added calories. Some restaurants have turned their recipes into monstrous super sized meals with enough food to feed an entire family in each individual serving. If you look back into Mexican food history and travel into different regions of Mexico, you will find that Mexican food, cooked in most local restaurants and casas, are actually prepared with healthy ingredients.

Most Mexican food that is made in Mexico is rich in fresh vegetables. They are very healthy because these vegetables and other fresh ingredients impart vitamins and proteins into the food. It is also flavored with real spices which can also be healthy as some spices contain antioxidants. Real spices give you real flavor that is natural and therefore better for you.

Now it is certainly possible to eat that healthy Mexican food here in the States if you know how to prepare the dishes yourself and you use healthy ingredients. There may be a store near you where fresh ingredients can be easily found and purchased, that are rich in the vitamins and devoid of the items that are detrimental to good health.

Some "American" versions of true Mexican dishes will often times bear little resemblance in looks or flavor to the dish it represents. The problem is that the American dining public has gotten used to these "Americanized" recipes and super-sized portions with fat-infused ingredients. As Americans we have come to think of the fat, or "lard", as adding additional flavor. We, the consumer, are to blame for that. The restaurants are only giving us what we order most and seem enjoy.

If you examine the history of Mexican food you will find that their recipes have been handed down from family to family for generations. Individual families have worked out the best combinations of fresh spices and other fresh ingredients to make food taste good. What they have found is that freshly prepared food, using freshly harvested items produces a rich tasting and healthy meal.

These recipes with all natural and fresh ingredients, never frozen, have graced the Mexican people's tables for centuries. It is a food that can be served as a weeknight meal or at a special occasion. Secret family recipes or popular dishes are often requested at graduations, weddings, or anniversaries. Even when celebrating we should strive to serve food that is both healthy and "muy deliciouso." We should revel in the healthy choices that the Mexican people have been serving for centuries and adapt them to our ways of life. Admittedly, some recipes can take several hours or days to prepare. But many have been adapted to our "fast-food" mentality, and have been revised to be able to prepare a great and healthy Mexican meal in under an hour.

Find the latest information on Mexican food visit Healthy Mexican Food as well as Mexican Food History

Mexican Food

If you are trying to decide what it is that you would like to dine on tonight, why not think about Mexican food? There are so many choices on a great Mexican menu, that it would be hard for you to look it over and not find something that you can be pleased with. This food is not all tacos and rice as many would assume, rather there are some wonderful recipes that can please most if not all palettes. From burritos to mosquito larva quiche, the possibilities are endless. All you need to do now is take some time, and see what will interest you most.

High Class And Old School

There are many great dishes that can be had on an authentic Mexican food menu; some may make the weak stomached squirm, while others will rejoin with glee that they have found a true restaurant after their own hearts. Mexican restaurants are popping up virtually all over the globe today, and this is because the food is simply delightful. You will not have to worry about finishing a Mexican meal, and seeking snacks an hour later. This is because this food is actually filling, and with the great dishes that contain sides such as rice you will know what it means to get your money's worth. Some of the most exquisite restaurants throughout the world, are now of the Mexican decent. They offer traditional Mexican fair that can even include armadillo.

Great Snack Foods

The great thing about Mexican food is that it actually makes great snack food. A couple of enchiladas or tortillas, and you are all set. This is something that is great for a quick lunch whether you are at home or even at work, and that makes this food very convenient. You would be hard pressed to not find at least one Mexican restaurant in your city, and this is because the food is great priced and fills the hunger spot. Much of the food that you find within the regions of Mexico, can now be had within the confines of a great restaurant and this is great news for those that love this food. Whether it is on the go, or a meal for the family on a Saturday night you can be sure that this food is going to be appreciated by everyone that is eating it.

Experiment

One of the best things that you can do when it comes to Mexican food is to experiment. There are simply too many great dishes on the menu, for you to not try something at least once to see if you like it. This allows you to get a broader sense of your appreciation for the great food that the Mexicans have to offer. You will even be surprised at how wonderful their dessert selection is, and you will quickly find many items that could be considered a favorite. You are easily going to have a tough time deciding what you like most.

Jeremy Harris writes food related articles for the Italian Traditional Food website at www.italiantraditionalfood.com

Mexican Food Appetizers

Mexican foods today are increasingly becoming popular and a favorite. Individuals who are looking for different types but delicious foods always ask for Mexican food especially those enticing Mexican food appetizers. Another reason why many are asking for these Mexican foods is that this type of cuisine usually is very healthy. It uses lean meat and variety of vegetables mixed with choice spices. Some of the Mexican foods even showcased the use of maize, corn, tortillas, beans, hot chili peppers and tomatoes among others.

Mexican food appetizers have long been the preference and favorite of many Americans because of its strong flavors and healthy colorful ingredients. Chili, tomatoes and beans are the usual content or main ingredients of many Mexican foods and appetizers in most menus or recipe that you can find today. The taste is also unique but delicious, thus Mexican food really appeals to American people as well as those visitors who like their food hot but appetizing most of the time. The Guacamole, Mexican pizza and Quick Quesadillas are some of the most common Mexican appetizers that are popular to many resto goers.

Today, a lot of cuisine authorities like chefs and food experts are coming up with variety of Mexican food appetizers to serve to their customers and families. One of these new appetizers are Green Stuff Guacamole is an avocado dip that is created with several of the green vegetables. The Edamane Dip or Edamole which is said to be rich in protein and fibers is another new adaptation of the famous Guacamole. It tastes like guacamole to some. It goes perfectly with raw vegetables, pita bread and Mexican tortilla chips. The Montery Jack and White Bean Dip is another of these new appetizers that you may also try to make in your homes today rather than getting the first plunge in famous restaurants.

Actually, Mexican food appetizers are easy to make if you like to have your own. All you have to know are the basics in Mexican food cooking and you may find your way in discovering your own appetizer recipe and dips. You do not have to be chef either. There are several online recipes and Mexican recipe guide books that you can use. You just need to be patient and get your brains working. Creativity is one characteristic that you should have if you decide to make your own Mexican appetizers. This will be your tool to create the best Mexican appetizer of your choice.

Candis Reade is an accomplished niche website developer and author. To learn more about Mexican Food Appetizers [http://mygreatmexicanfood.info/mexican-food-appetizers], please visit My Great Mexican Food [http://mygreatmexicanfood.info] for current articles and discussions.

So What Do You Really Know About Mexican Food Culture

Mexican culture is a unique combination of pre-Hispanic, colonial, and postcolonial Mexico. The Mexican people are rightly proud of their history, ethnicity, and culture.

Mexican city life is not all that different from life in Europe or in the United States, although some villages still have more traditional ways. Most Mexicans live in large cities and there are more Spanish speaking people in Mexico than in any other country. The government recognizes over sixty other languages as indigenous Mexican languages.

After Brazil, Mexico is the second biggest catholic country in the world. Ninety five percent of the countries are catholic and the Spanish colonists introduced the religion.

Well Known Mexican Food Holidays

Every village, city, and town holds a party to honor their patron saint each year on different dates and Mexican Independence Day is celebrated on September 16. The people will pray and burn candles during the religious celebrations and they will also use colorful flowers and utensils to decorate their churches. Fireworks, parades, parties, and dance competitions are all common during fiesta time and football, bullfighting and cockfighting events are also held.

Piatas, which are made from paper mache, are unique to Mexican fiestas. These are made to resemble well-known people, fictional characters, or animals. Piatas are filled with small toys and candy, hung from the ceiling and blindfolded children take it in turns to hit the piata until it breaks and the toys and candy spill out.

What to Know about Popular Mexican Cuisine

Mexican food is an exotic mixture of European, Aztec, Mayan, Spanish, French and Caribbean food and more. It is tasty and well balanced, both in flavor and in nutritional content. Well known favorites include tacos, tamales, mole sauce, pozole and enchiladas. There are plenty of fast food restaurants but the offerings from these establishments bear little resemblance to traditional Mexican food recipes. You can use recipes to make your own Mexican food at home if there are no good Mexican eateries in your area.

Beans, chicken, maize, beef; potatoes, tomatoes, avocados, guavas, and peanuts are used in many dishes. Some common drinks include cinnamon flavored hot chocolate, fruit juices, mescal, Mexican beer, and tequila. There are also several award winning Mexican wineries that produce wine and export it all over the world.

Corn is used in many traditional recipes, as is corn flour. Chili is also widely used in Mexican cuisine. There are Mexican soups, stews and salads as well as the better-known foods. Mexican desserts are very popular and they combine hot and sweet elements to give interesting flavor and texture sensations in the mouth.

Chili is often used to flavor candy and corn flavor candy is well liked. Calaveras de Azucar are the sugar skulls made for the Day of the Dead fiesta.

Herbs and spices are cleverly combined with fresh produce to make traditional recipes. Quick authentic Mexican recipes are a great idea if you want to make something different for your family and there are certainly plenty to choose from. By enjoying home cooked Mexican cuisine, you will really appreciate why these foods are so well loved around the world.

Mexican food makes a great change from our usual staples and if you want to surprise your family with something deliciously different tonight, why not check out the recipes at MexicanFoodRecipes.org for some inspiring food ideas? Mexican food is nutritious and flavorful and sure to become a family favorite.

If you are looking for some great recipes or tips on cooking Mexican food and recipes of your own, the site will be very helpful. Whether you want a quick and spicy burrito, mild salad, or sweet and spicy salsa we have a wonderful selection of quick authentic Mexican recipes to choose from.

If you are in the mood for Mexican food tonight why not give one of our recipes like our Mexican Chicken Tortilla Soup Recipe a try. Just one of the many delicious Mexican treats on our site.

While there take some time to learn more about the extraordinary history, culture and cooking methods used to make this wonderful blend of old and new world cuisine. We also have a full Mexican Cooking Glossary complete with phonetic pronunciations for the none Spanish speaking Mexican food lover.

Mexican Food History

The History behind Mexican Cooking

The Conquistadores on their arrival to the Aztec capital, Tenochtitlan (present day Mexico City) discovered that the diet of people comprised mainly of dishes made with corns, chilies and herbs, largely with tomatoes, beans or nopales. They mixed their own diet of rice, pork, beef, garlic and onions with the native food of pre Columbian Mexico which included maize, chocolate, vanilla, fruits such as guava, avocado and pineapple and some meats and local varieties of fish.

The traditional staple grain is corn but now, rice is as prominent and Mexico has a rice harvest in abundance. As per Karen Hursh Graber, a renowned food writer, the first introduction of rice from North Africa to Spain in the fourth century resulted in the influx of rice from Spain to Mexico from the Veracruz port in the early 16th century. Graber claims that this was among the first instances of fusion of the best cuisines of the world.

Some very exotic dishes are cooked in Aztec and Mayan style in villages. The ingredients come from rattlesnake, spider monkey, ant eggs and some other insects.

From Pre Columbian to Conquistadors

The Spanish explorers, led by Hernan Cortes, were attracted towards Mexico's gold treasures. They not only conquered the country but brought back the food from the New World. This food then became staple diet for people across the world.

Bernal Diaz del Castillo, a compatriot of Cortes, recorded everything he experienced and this included details of the foods, battles and extreme conditions experienced by his compatriots. He recorded the history of Spain's conquest of Aztec Mexico which was ruled by Montezuma. In between all this, Diaz also describes the opulence of food stores of Montezuma.

Cortes discovered that human flesh that had been offered as a sacrifice to Gods was an edible food in Mexico. Shocked by this ritual, he persuaded Montezuma to ban this practice.

Diaz noted that their diet was so rich that banning the ritual sacrifice would have been easy. Fowls, partridges, quail, ducks, rabbits and other small animals were cooked daily. Of course, there was the chocolate, in abundance. Cakes made of maize were properly brought out in plates with neat napkins. Diaz described the cakes as made with eggs and other healthy ingredients.

Diaz described maize plantations as omnipresent in New Spain. It was used in making dough known as masa from which came tamale and several other foods such as the tortilla. Maize was also popped and utilized in ornaments by young women during special occasions. In fact, maize was always in the focus of rituals. Diaz concluded that it was the basic of all Mexican food, although he did not deem it a cuisine.

Although conquistadors faced the Aztecs in Mexico, their diet was basically established in the Mayan civilization. Mayans used to worship corn and developed agricultural tools and procedures to grow corn.

Mayans were skillful farmers and could cultivate most of their staple food such as maize, beans, chilies, tomatoes and squash. Fruits and plants always grew in plentiful. Diaz especially mentioned prickly pear in his travelogues. Spirulina, an algae growing on water, was a major source of protein. A light alcoholic drink, Pulque, was made from the Maguey plant.

Beans were extremely vital to Mayans and other indigenous cultures and they used to plant corn and bean in the same hole, so that the bean could creep around the stalk of corn. Another type of bean, the scarlet runner bean, was grown in the central highlands of Guatemala and Mexico. Nowadays, people in Yucatan and Veracruz favor black beans while those in north favor pink ones.

Yet another important crop was the small amaranth seed which was raised in floating gardens by Aztecs. It is not very popular now as it was a part of cannibalistic ritual of Aztecs and the Spaniards did not favor it. Both maize and amaranth was used to prepare dough and dedicated to Gods. Several people used to eat pieces of dough, among them the humans who were to be sacrificed.

Tomatoes made their way from South America to Mexico while chilies in various varieties grew in plentiful. These are still the most vital ingredient in Mexican cooking and are used in sweetening or adding a punch to the dish.

Cortes reported seeing wild turkeys in the markets of Mexico City. In some Mayan excavations in the Yucatan and Guatemala region, bones from oscillated turkeys were found. These were found near the northern region of Mexico and are relatively smaller with peacock like spots. These were named pavo meaning pea hen by the Spanish.

While local ingredients provided them staple foods, it was the cooking procedures of the Mayans which provided them a healthy diet. They learned to cook corn with lime, steep it and remove the kernel. The lime released many nutrients from the corn which could be used by the human body. Even though they were not aware of vitamins, their cooking methods gave them a nutritious diet.

A look at the Spanish Foods Brought to Mexico

"We then ate a sumptuous dinner which they had prepared for us in their native style." (Bernal Díaz del Castillo, The Conquest of New Spain)

The Spanish explorers introduced the Old World foods into the diet of the Indians. Maize was not replaced but the diet became richer. The Mexican cooking as we know today originated from this fusion of old and new ingredients.

Amongst the most vital introduction were domesticated animals. Pigs were the most popular ones as they were self fattening and easy to transport. These provided meat and lard which made the most sweeping change to the Indians' diet. Mexicans never fried food until the introduction of pork.

After pigs, chicken, sheep, goats and cattle too assimilated and were grazed mainly in the central and north central regions. The traditional Mexican dishes that we see today appeared only after the conquistadors brought them.

The Spanish brought new grains such as wheat which gave rise to wheat tortillas. Sugarcane was brought from the Caribbean; Cortes himself had large areas of lands for growing sugarcane.

The Spanish took the Caribbean route to come to Mexico and this too influenced Mexican cooking. With Spanish flavors beginning to assimilate with the Indians', the cuisine as we know today begin emerging. This was the comida novohispana. Frijoles, quesadillas and mole sauces emerged. The foods remained the same after independence of Mexico and the regional cuisines developed.

While the Spanish came as explorers, they transformed into conquistadors by forcing out the Aztecs. Hence, the Europeans dominated a civilization created by the early people. But how did the local foods survive? Probably, because of extreme poverty.

With extreme poverty, malnutrition and starvation normally follows. Mexico was always rich in nutritious foods. Even though the Spanish didn't practice slavery, a caste system was created swiftly in Mexico. The pure Spanish occupied the top while in the bottom lay indigenous people. In this structure, each caste was represented by a food. For instance, wheat bread was preferred by the Spanish, while the corn stayed as the staple food. The wheat tortilla was cultivated in the northern region and thus affected cooking in the border areas.

Mexicans at that time generally lived on the streets. When they had to eat, they found that the native stuff was sold at cheap prices. Women travelled the streets and set up small fires to sell food. There were also grilling stands on every nook and corner. This was the Mexican food as it used to be cooked centuries before.

The elite class accepted these foods when dining with family but not outside. They considered these native foods as valuable, yet these should only be eaten in private.

When recipe books first came out in Mexico, they didn't show any regard for native foods. Although these recipe books indicated that no one was consuming native food, most of the readers of such books were housewives. These ladies all had native cooks who were largely illiterate and learned their skills from older generations' recipes. Hence, the native cook was making foods which the cookbooks disdained. The Mexican food thus survived.

The colonization by Spanish lasted several Viceroys and throughout the French reign of Maximillian and Carlotta. With the revolution of 1910, Mexico began proclaiming its native inheritance. The food created by the early natives now became the nation's pride. While it can be called Mexican food, in reality, it deserves the word 'cuisine'. It is subtle in nature and is among the world's best cuisines.

Mateo Gomez is a Mexican Food lover and founder of AllAboutMexicanFood.com. To learn about making a delicious Mexican Breakfast, including a great recipe huevos rancheros, head over to AllAboutMexicanFood.com.

Healthy Mexican Food

Mexican cuisine is a style of food that began in Mexico, and is widely known for its vibrant flavor and amazing decoration. Rice, beans, tortillas, and a wide variety of spices are commonly used in many Mexican dishes, along with beef, pork, chicken, and a range of different peppers. Mexican recipes vary from region to region, but many of the same original ideas are still seen all over the globe today. Mexican cuisine is typically cooked in large amounts of grease and fat, making it one of the most fattening styles of food in the world.

Although authentic Mexican food can be unhealthy, there are many great recipes available for healthy Mexican meals. One ingredient that can easily be replaced is grease, which is usually a staple when making dishes prepared with tortillas. Many Mexican recipes involve frying tortillas, such as taquitos, tacos, and even tostadas. While the fried tortillas are usually the main portion of the dish, using oil to prepare them adds unhealthy fat and caloric intake. One alternative would be using soft tortillas, such as making soft tacos rather than frying the tortillas. There are also several recipes that involve tortillas without being fried, such as quesadillas or baked tortilla chips.

Another problem that can make Mexican food unhealthy is the amount of sodium in the dishes, which gives the food the strong flavor many love. The excessive use of salt and salt-based spices can be eliminated, but the flavor can still remain with the use of hot chili peppers and fresh vegetables such as onions and bell peppers. Rice can be prepared with low sodium chicken broth rather than using salt, and bean dishes can be prepared with the use of fresh ingredients as well.

Milk is another popular ingredient used in Mexican cooking, along with other high fat dairy products such as cheese and sour cream. While these are key ingredients in many popular recipes, the dairy products can be replaced with low-fat or fat-free versions in order to lower the fat intake. Using low-fat milk in a recipes rather than whole milk can reduce the caloric intake by almost half, depending on the amount of milk and other dairy products used in the dish.

Eggs are a main ingredient found in various breakfast dishes, and although they are healthy, many egg recipes are packed full of fat and calories. Huevos rancheros, a popular dish around the world, are typically prepared using whole eggs, oil, various salsas, and fried tortillas. Egg whites can be used rather than whole eggs, and tortillas can be prepared in the oven rather than in a frying pan with oil. Fresh salsas and peppers can be added in place of salt and seasonings, and the dish will still come out tasting amazing.

With the rising incidence of obesity occurring, it is best to find healthier alternatives for many popular dishes. Because Mexican food is well known for its high fat and calorie total, it is important to try low-fat and fat-free alternatives since they still contain the bold flavor most Mexican cuisine is known for. A delicious meal doesn't have to be full of fat, and healthy Mexican food can still taste amazing with the help of low-fat ingredients and fresh vegetables and spices.

To find more cooking ideas and information on Mexican food visit Favorite Drinks of Mexico [http://www.healthymexicanfood.net/Favorite_Drinks_Of_Mexico.html] and Exotic Mexican Food [http://www.healthymexicanfood.net/Exotic_Mexican_Food.html].

So What Makes Traditional Mexican Food So Fascinating?

The food of Mexico has a long and varied history. This diverse history is rich with a fusion of influences that has created a cuisine that is enjoyed all over the world. True Mexican cuisine is made of fresh foods that are prepared from scratch. The results are delicious and very good for you.

Mexican cuisine is the result of Spanish, Mayan and Aztec influences. Add in a dash of French and you have today's Mexican cuisine. Although it has a reputation for being spicy, not all Mexican dishes are hot. Some are creamy and sweet. Depending on the area of Mexico a recipe is from, the food could be based more on beans, fruit, or seafood.

The European Discover of Mexico and its Influence

In 1521, when Cortez arrived in Mexico from Spain, he and his fellow explorers found many foods they had never seen before. Peanuts, chocolate, squash, beans, vanilla, avocados, corn, tomatoes, and coconuts were all new flavors that flooded their taste buds. In turn, the Spanish introduced many foods into Mexico like pork, beef, lamb, cheese, garlic, citrus, vinegar, wine, and milk. The native Mexicans quickly assimilated these foods into their cuisine, blending them with their staples easily.

Every cuisine has a foundation of ingredients. In Mexico, it was squash, corn, and beans. Each region then added their specialties to this foundation. In the Yucatan Peninsula, seafood was the primary addition along with fruit-based sauces. In northern Mexico, the meat was almost always grilled over an open charcoal fire. Oaxaca is thought to be the place corn was first domesticated. Even today, there are many varieties of corn grown in this area that can be found nowhere else. Chiles are another staple in this area. They make seven different varieties of mole sauce in Oaxaca.

Regional Mexican Cuisine

In Veracruz and its area, most recipes contain fresh fish. Fish is found in tamales, tacos, burritos and more due to the abundance of this ingredient. They also use a lot of olives, chili peppers, and tomatoes in this area. True Mexican food is very different from what you get in the United States.

The Mexican food we eat in the United States tends to be more Tex-Mex than Mexican. In Mexico, rice and beans would rarely be served together in the same meal, let alone the same course. Here, we get both on the same plate at most Mexican restaurants. Mexicans hardly ever make salads, either. This is the influence of the United States that has added these dishes.

You can easily find traditional Mexican recipes in books or online, but do not expect them to be like what you eat at Mexican restaurants. Authentic Mexican cuisine is a delicious tradition you should try. Maybe you can try some of the regional recipes that use fresh ingredients like seafood or fruit. They are really amazing.

Sitting down to a Mexican meal does not necessarily mean tacos and enchiladas, but this certainly is a wonderful way to enjoy it. The real cuisine of Mexico is rich and full of flavor. Enjoy some at your own table and see all it has to offer. You will be very surprised.

Mexican food makes a great change from our usual staples and if you want to surprise your family with something deliciously different tonight. authentic Mexican recipes are nutritious and flavorful and sure to become a family favorite. Mexican recipes are as easy to make as they are great tasting. As the father of four boys Mexican food is a favorite in our house.

MexicanFoodRecipes.org When it has to be Real Authentic Mexican Food

Learn All About the History of Mexican Food

The Mexican food history is rich and full of intriguing mixtures of different cultures. This intricately woven web of culture in Mexican food makes it all the more enjoyable and tasty. Famous Mexican dishes in the history of Mexican food include salsas, tacos and burritos that are still enjoyed till this date. The Mexican cuisine is indeed an enjoyable cuisine well-liked by many in the world.

The richness of colors and flavors in the Mexican food history is a great tribute to the Mexican's attention to detail in making their food tasty and sumptuous. Tracing the history back to three thousand years ago, it is found that the Mayans had a great influence on Mexican food. This is evident from the common points in diet between the two, consisting of beans, maize and some fresh vegetable.

A very important food item in the Mexican food history is the maize. Being a crop that is easy to plant and contains adequate nourishment, it is a staple diet of the Mexicans. It is filled with the right amount of calories and vitamins, but deficient in certain amino acids such as tryptophan, isoleucine and lysine. The solution to this problem was easy; the ancient Mexicans ate maize with beans, thus bringing the protein composition to that of proteins from animal sources.

Consumption of maize in the history of Mexican food peaked during the pre-Hispanic civilizations. The intake of maize was so great, that it accounted from 80% of the Mexicans' main source of calories. Maize held such important during that time that indigenous corn gods form the basis of their culture and religion at that time.

Maize, being such a historically popular plant in the history of Mexican food, functioned to sustain Mexican communities. It provided food and created jobs for them at that time. Dried maize was used in several Mexican dishes, creating a tasty meal as a result.

A delightful hint of Spanish influence is evident in Mexican food. The Spanish missionaries also brought to Mexico numerous food items including wines, meat products, and exotic spices. This gave rise to many mouth-watering dishes such as the antojos.

Real Mexican food is often mistaken with the Tex-Mex dishes which contains foods like chili, hard-shell tacos and nachos. They are different as they are often topped with processed cheese, sour creams and more; whereas authentic Mexican food uses a lot of fresh vegetables in their recipes.

The history of Mexican food is also linked with salsas. Being a Spanish word for sauce, the salsa is a pleasant example of Spanish flavors infused in Mexican cuisines. It is a well integrated Mexican dish nowadays. It can come in many flavors such as tangy, sour, even sweet and many more. It is a delightful dish indeed.

Micheal Parkes is a food enthusiast who loves trying out various international cuisines. He runs an informational website that provides food tips on authentic Mexican food recipes, gives information on the history of Mexican food, and uncovers some of the best places for dining. To take advantage of these useful information and more, make sure you visit http://www.online-food-guide.com to learn more excellent food hints.

So What Makes Mexican Food Culture So Specially Unique?

Like all countries, there are Mexican food traditions, which are unique to the country. Food, after all, is an important part of any country's culture and Mexico is certainly no exception. There are Mexican food customs, which are attached to certain holidays and other occasions, with special dishes being cooked on these days.

Mexican Holidays Recipes and Typical Mexican Food

Perhaps the best known of Mexican holidays is Cinco de Mayo. This celebration on May 5th every year is commonly thought to be Mexico's Independence Day holiday. As it happens, the holiday was declared not to celebrate Mexican independence from Spain, but the victory of the Mexican army over the French in 1862 at Puebla.

Outside of the state of Puebla, the holiday is a minor one - though there are some special Cinco de Mayo dishes, which are served on this day, especially in Puebla. This state is the region of Mexico where mole, an important ingredient in many traditional Mexican recipes was developed; and this is a popular sauce nationwide.

One traditional Cinco de Mayo recipe often made in Puebla for this holiday is turkey cooked in a mole sauce. This would be mole poblano in particular (the name means "Puebla-style mole"), a rich, nutty and spicy sauce which is worth every bit of the considerable time and effort needed to make it. Turkey is a popular food in Puebla and in fact, in much of the country. Turkey shows up not only here, but also in many Mexican recipes, even some of Mexico's other special holiday dishes.

Religious Holidays Including Christmas And Others

As a largely Catholic nation, Mexico celebrates Christmas and other religious holidays with aplomb; and when it comes to celebrating with food, Mexican food traditions are second to none! On Christmas morning in Mexico, families and friends hold "posadas," a traditional Christmas morning party.

On this occasion, you will often find traditional dishes served such as mashed potatoes with cranberry and chili relish, rather than the gravy you would find at the table in the US. Punch is also traditionally served at a posada, as are other dishes including turkey soup and codfish. A piata is also a traditional (and very festive) addition to the Christmas day festivities in Mexico.

The feast of Epiphany is another holiday with its own special Mexican food traditions. The traditional Spanish ring cake has been enthusiastically adopted into Mexican Epiphany celebrations, along with the new world treat of hot chocolate as an addition.

Naturally, we cannot talk about Mexican food culture without a few words about Dia de los Muertos. This is how Mexico celebrates All Saints Day. On "the day of the dead," there are special holiday sweets which are eaten. These include dulce de calabasa, a candy made from pumpkin and pan de muerto. Pan de muerto is a bread, which is glazed and decorated with colored sugar, and smaller pieces of bread shaped like bones.

However, sugar skulls are without a doubt the best known of Mexico's food traditions surrounding the day of the dead. These are skull shaped candies, which are made by pressing sugar into a mold. These candies are often decorated with great care, making for a holiday treat, which is so beautifully decorated that you may not want to eat them!

The food traditions of every nation reflect their unique culture, something which Mexican food traditions certainly do. The country's amalgam of new world and old world ingredients, recipes and cooking methods have resulted in a culture - and a set of traditional foods which are an integral part of Mexican life and culture.

Mexican food makes a great change from our usual staples and if you want to surprise your family with something deliciously different tonight. Typical Mexican food is nutritious and flavorful and sure to become a family favorite.

While there take some time to learn more about the extraordinary Mexican food history, culture and cooking methods used to make this wonderful blend of old and new world cuisine. We also have a full Mexican Cooking Glossary complete with phonetic pronunciations for the none Spanish speaking Mexican food lover.

MexicanFoodRecipes.org When it has to be Real Authentic Mexican Food

Mexican Food Varieties

Are you interested about Mexican Food and its sumptuous variety? The country of Mexico is renowned throughout the world for its incredible menu of delicious cuisines. The different states of Mexico delineates a mouthwatering a-la-carte which redefines authentic taste to the core. But the origin of food habits and culinary items in the country considerably depends on its ethnic variety and climatic patterns.

So here are some mouthwatering varieties of Mexican Food :

If you venture out to the northern part of Mexico, you will surely come across a delectable variety of meat and beef items. On the contrary, the south -eastern section of the country welcomes you with a range of vegetarian delicacies.

Mexican food is savoured and appreciated by a large number of people on a global basis. The secret of cooking up a storm with Mexican delicacies is to make slight transformation in the blend of ingredients and also meticulously work on methods of preparation from time to time. The legacy of the Mexican food goes back to an ancient time and according to the opinion of culinary experts from round the world, it has a major health benefit. Some of the healthy inputs of Mexican food can be found in the corn, bean, lean meat and also other fresh vegetables.

The Hispanics or the Aztec people were one of the first sources who brought in the entire practice of Mexican food and the culinary art associated with it. The Caribbean and the French people also delved into the various styles of Mexican food from an early age. The spicy feel, wonderful decoration and entire presentation surrounding the Mexican delicacies stands out as an exemplary art in its own way. Some of the important vegetarian items of Mexican dishes can be made by cauliflower, radish and broccoli to name a few. If you do not like the vegetarian cuisines, you can obviously select the beef, chicken and pork items.

One of the most popular and enticing Mexican delicacies, which has impressed with its fascinating taste is the Enchiladas. But if you are quite health conscious, this particular delicacy can be avoided by you, as it consists of a heavy quantity of fat. The spicy and oily element brings along the marvelous flavour of the dish. To mitigate the high constituent of calorie, you can avoid dipping the corn tortillas in the hot oil. You can also make it a little softer by mixing it with tomato.

The Arroz Con Pollo is another scrumptious Mexican delicacy, which has managed to win accolades for its unique authenticity. The main constituents of the dish are rice and chicken which when cooked together provides an unforgettable taste. The sofrito ingredient of the dish makes it all the more exclusive.

If you want to check out another variety of traditional Mexican dish, the Taco can feature as one of your best choices. The perfect combination of maize tortilla and meat feelings provides it with an amazing flavour. You can also make it spicier with an input of chilli salsa and cropped onion.

You can also make your gourmet journey of Mexican food all the more exciting, by sipping the Aquas frescas beverage. It is a delicate mixture of cereals, sugar, fruits and water.

So just enjoy the above-mentioned variety of Mexican Food with a brief insight on them.

Shuvojit Dasgupta is a contributed writer for Batchmates.com the largest Alumni portal in India. With his research work and articles he has added an additional edge to the entertainment e-magazine BM Times. His articles reach to millions of readers every day which are varied in subjects.

Authentic Mexican Food Which is Low Calorie and Low Fat

If Mexicans ate Taco Bell style food rather than Mexican typical food, they would all be enormous! The truth about Mexican food is that traditional Mexican food recipes bear very little resemblance to Mexican junk food recipes.

If you are watching your figure, trying to lose a few pounds or simply enjoy preparing and eating delicious, nutritious meals, the calories in Mexican food tend to be very figure friendly if you prepare the meals in the traditional Mexican way.

What Do Mexicans Eat?

It might surprise you to know that Mexican people eat beef, chicken, fish, seafood and different kinds of cheese, as well as a wide range of fruits and vegetables.

Famous Mexican foods like quesadillas, empanadas and Mexican layered salads are consumed regularly but Mexican style soups and seafood dishes are also very popular there and Mexicans love variety. In fact, Mexican cuisine is one of the most varied cuisines in the world.

Typical Mexican Food Examples

A typical Mexican food recipe combines meat, poultry, or fish with vegetables like corn, tomatoes, avocado, bell pepper, onion, and garlic. Popular spices in authentic Mexican food recipes include many kinds of chili powder, cumin, salt, and black pepper.

Mexican cheese, homemade salsa, tortillas, and sour cream are also served in or with many Mexican food recipes but you can get low fat versions of cheese and cream, which really do not taste much different from their full fat alternatives.

How to Make Low Fat Chicken Tacos

The following recipe will show you how to make low fat tacos, which are packed with the best Mexican flavors but are still low enough in calories so you can enjoy them without feeling guilty about indulging in such tasty food.

This recipe serves four if you give each person two tacos and it makes a healthy yet very satisfying meal.

A Tasty Recipe for Healthy Chicken Tacos

You will need:

8 corn tortillas
1/2 teaspoon salt
1 1/4 lbs boneless, skinless chicken breast, cubed
1 red bell pepper, seeded and chopped
1 yellow onion, chopped
4 teaspoons canola oil or low fat spray oil
1 cup low fat sour cream
3 minced garlic cloves
1 tablespoon cumin
1 jalapeno pepper, de-seeded and minced
1 cup salsa
1/2 cup shredded low fat cheese
1/4 cup chopped fresh cilantro

How to make it:

Pat the chicken on paper towels to dry it off. Heat half the oil in a skillet over a high heat and add the chicken. Brown it all over for 5 minutes, pouring off some of the liquid if the chicken starts to poach instead of browning. Remove the chicken from the pan.

Turn the heat down to medium and add the rest of the oil. Cook the onion in the oil until it is tender. Add the garlic, cumin, jalapeno, and bell pepper. Keep stirring, scraping any burnt bits off the bottom of the pan, cooking for about 4 minutes.

Put the tortillas on a plate and cover them with plastic wrap. Microwave them for a minute. Stir the salsa and chicken into the onion mixture and cook until everything is hot. Stir in the cilantro and spoon the taco filling into the warmed tortillas.

Great food has always been a way of life in our household and having lots of different easy recipes to choose from is very important. If quick Mexican recipes sound appealing, you will find plenty more inspiration at MexicanFoodRecipes.org, as well as traditional Mexican foods and cooking tips. You can make authentic Mexican food recipes in the comfort of your own kitchen and if you like to eat Mexican food regularly, you will be delighted to discover how quick and easy most of these recipes really are.

Traditional Mexican foods are nutritious and packed with flavor. A lot of the taste comes from the addition of fresh herbs and spices and you can make baked or grilled Mexican recipes, rather than using the deep fryer. There are lots of healthy Mexican recipes to choose from at MexicanFoodRecipes.org or you can simply use reduced fat dairy products to lower the calorie content of the other Mexican recipes.

If you are in the mood for Mexican food tonight why not give one of our recipes like our authentic Mexican rice recipe a try. Just one of the many delicious Mexican treats on our site. While there take some time to learn more about the extraordinary history, culture and cooking methods used to make this wonderful blend of old and new world cuisine. We also have a full Mexican Cooking Glossary complete with phonetic pronunciations for the none Spanish speaking Mexican food lover.

Typical Mexican Food - Cooking With Turkey

Turkey has been a staple in authentic Mexican food recipes since Mayan and Aztec times and if you enjoy the flavor of turkey, there are lots of traditional Mexican foods, which include turkey.

Other local produce, which was used centuries ago to make Mexican typical food, includes tomatoes, chocolate, vanilla, chili peppers, fish, and avocado. Duck and turkey were the only kinds of fowl to have been domesticated in Mexico before the Spanish conquistadores arrived in the country and brought chickens with them.

You can substitute chicken for turkey in Mexican chicken recipes, like tacos, enchiladas, fajitas and others or you can make a traditional Mexican turkey recipe.

Steaming and boiling are common ways to prepare Mexican turkey dishes, since a lot of Mexican kitchens do not have ovens. Turkey is usually prepared separately from the sauce and then combined before serving.

Turkey Burgers Mexican Style

What about making Mexican turkey burgers? Simply combine ground turkey with taco seasoning, cumin, a finely chopped onion, and some seasoning and make turkey patties. You can them fry, grill or broil them until they are cooked through and serve them with refried beans, Mexican rice or your favorite side dish.

Homemade salsa or guacamole is very tasty with these Mexican turkey burgers and you can serve lime wedges on the side to squeeze over them. Turkey burgers with Mexican spices are a wonderful example of a Mexican food recipe, which makes a nice change from more common Mexican recipes.

A Delicious and Easy Mexican Turkey Recipe

The following recipe serves six people and makes a warming dinner. It is simple to make and if you have some turkey left over from thanksgiving, you can use the leftovers to make this delicious Mexican dish.

Creamy Turkey and Broccoli Stuffed Tortilla Cups

You will need:


6 large flour tortillas
1 clove garlic, minced
1 cup sliced mushrooms
1 cup cooked broccoli florets
2 cups cooked turkey cubes
1/2 cup sour cream
2 tablespoons softened butter
1/2 cup sliced green onions
1 cup sliced cooked carrots
10 oz can condensed broccoli cheese soup or cheese soup

How to make it:

Brush six small ovenproof cups with half the butter. Soften the tortillas by warming them in the microwave or in a skillet, and then push each one into a greased ovenproof cup. Put them on a baking sheet and preheat the oven to 375 degrees F. Saute the garlic and mushrooms in the rest of the butter.

Stir in the sour cream and the undiluted soup and mix well. Add the carrots, broccoli, turkey, and spoon half a cup of this mixture into each tortilla shell. Bake them for about twenty minutes or until the filling is piping hot. Remove the filled tortilla shells from the cups and serve.

A well planned Mexican appetizer recipe gives your guests a tantalizing taste of the meal to come and you can choose from hundreds of Mexican food recipes ideas. Perhaps something simple like tortilla chips and homemade salsa sounds good to you or maybe you want to try a lightly spiced Mexican seafood recipe.

Turkey makes a tasty change from chicken and a lot of traditional Mexican foods can be made with either chicken or turkey. You can make spicy turkey dishes or use leftover turkey in a Mexican salad recipe or Mexican soup. You can also substitute chicken for turkey in any Mexican chicken recipe and there are lots to choose from.

MexicanFoodRecipes.org - When it has to be Real Authentic Mexican Food.

Best Mexican Food Across the Country; per Mexican Restaurant Reviews from Boston to San Francisco

"You can't get good Mexican food anywhere north of Texas."

So averred my good buddy Tony when I suggested a Mexican meal on his recent visit. Now, I'm a good deal north of Texas, being in the Heart of Massachusetts, but that's the kind of challenge that I can't pass up. Three hours later, he was rubbing his stuffed belly as we left Tortilla Sam's, voted Worchester's Best Mexican Restaurant for the third year in a row. Being voted Best Mexican Restaurant in a little northeastern city may not seem like much - till you stand in front of the window at Tortilla Sam's and watch the tortillas - freshly mixed and cut by hand - roll through the steam press and catch a whiff of the mole. Then you realize that this is real Mexican food. And if the Mexican food in Worcester is good enough to impress Texas-born-and-raised Tony, we've got to figure that there are great Mexican restaurants in other unexpected places, right?

I went looking for the most out-of-the-way and unexpected places to find good Mexican food. My criteria and method were simple - and hardly foolproof. In order to make the list, the restaurant must serve primarily Mexican food, and must have been voted a Best Mexican Restaurant in a local newspaper poll. There must be some mention in the review of authenticity. If there was a comment from someone who really KNOWS Mexican food, that gets bonus points. The list is a long way from exhaustive, but if you're looking for good Mexican food a long way from home, you just might get your craving satisfied at one of these unlikely places to find authentic Mexican food.

Charlotte, N.C.

Me, I'd go looking for a good mess of pinto beans and Southern barbecue in beautiful Charlotte, but if I did have a craving for Mexican food, I'd head on over to Taqueria Las Delicias. It only took the #8 spot on AOL's CityGuide City's Best awards, but any place that serves its tamales wrapped in corn husk AND offers lesser known Mexican foods like pupusas and taquitos is going to get a visit from me when I hit Charlotte.

Boston, MA

The home of baked beans and clam chowder (white, thank you very much) is also the home to Andale!, a tiny restaurant that seats 8 at the counter. Forget the ground, slightly spiced meat mush that passes for Mexican food in most of Massachusetts, and build yourself a quesadilla from chunks of roast chicken and spiced vegetables. It's fast Mexican food at its best, even if it is in Boston.

Philadelphia, PA

Next time I'm in Philly, I'm skipping the cheese steak and heading out for Mexican food. Voted Best Mexican food in the Philly area, Coyote Crossing in Conshohocken has all the standard gringo-Mex foods on the menu, but it also has... caramel crepes and homemade sangria.

Seattle, WA

Can I get a café latte to go with the chilies relleno? El Puerco Lloron in Seattle has been serving up its handmade tortillas and fresh salsa for over two decades and they're still making the Best Of lists. If there is real Mexican food in the gateway to Alaska, chances are that you'll find it here.

Baltimore, MD

The folks at the Baltimore Citypaper appreciate the irony of naming a Best Mexican Restaurant in Baltimore. To paraphrase, it's like naming the best air conditioner salesman in Antarctica. Still, they dub the Mexican food at Los Amigos Mexican restaurant 'good' and the wait staff friendly. Not quite a ringing endorsement, but if I get sick of crab cakes in Baltimore, I know where I'll go.

Chris Robertson is an author of Majon International, one of the worlds MOST popular internet marketing companies on the web. Visit this Food Website and Majon's Food directory.

What You Need to Know About Authentic Mexican Food Recipes?

Some Mexican recipes are very detailed and require many ingredients. In reality, a few of the more traditional ones do require many days to prepare. Its popularity in the United States is undeniable, but it is always a good point to note that the Americanized Mexican food often is slightly different from authentic Mexican food recipes.

Mexican food in American tends to have a higher fat content and their portions sizes are also larger. Whereas in Mexico, the authentic Mexican food recipes places more emphasis on getting the taste and spices right, with an portion size enough to savor the meal, but not too much that it makes you overeat.

Authentic Mexican recipes are often very tasty. This is the main reason that people love eating Mexican cuisine. The combination of exotic spices, flavors and salsas turns the Mexican food fare into one that is greatly enjoyable.

Although there are several elaborate Mexican recipes that may take days to prepare, on the other hand, there are also Mexican cuisines that are easy to cook if you know the tips to getting it right. The spicy, flavorsome and colorful textures of Mexican food are something that anyone can get right with some practice.

Simple authentic Mexican food recipes are also affordable to prepare as it is quick, fast and delicious. This is a better alternative to eating out, as you do know what goes into the preparation and cooking of the meal. You can also decide which ingredients you like best in the dish. Try to have a combination of ingredients to get the wonderful color into each dish.

When entertaining good friends and family alike the authentic Mexican food recipes are sure to bring out the best in your cooking. The salsas, tacos, dips and desserts are easy ways to entertain. It is hard to go wrong with these great recipes!

Speaking of authentic Mexican food, salsas are one of the most popular dishes indeed. It is incredibly healthy as it does not contain added vinegars or sugars. Served with any Mexican dishes, this is one Mexican dish that will always stand out and add delight to your meals. It can be prepared in many tantalizing variations whether be it sweet, tangy, or savory. The vitamins and minerals in a Salsa are also surprisingly nutritious!

Experiment with authentic Mexican food recipes and you shall be pleasantly surprised. The rich culture and traditional of the Mexicans are also something that one can appreciate with the good food that comes along with it.

The Best Spicy Mexican Food Recipes

Mexican food is not all spicy - that is a common misconception about the cuisine. There are non-spicy Mexican soup recipes, Mexican salad recipes, Mexican dip recipes and plenty more. However, Mexicans do like to use chili in their recipes and sometimes it is fun to make spicy Mexican recipes.

You can spice up pretty much any Mexican food recipe by adding some minced chili or chili powder. If you are making guacamole or salsa, you can decide how hot you want it. Guacamole is usually served alongside spicy food because it is cool, creamy and cools the mouth but fiery salsas can be really flavorful and the fieriness of the chili contrasts brilliantly with the sweet, cool tomatoes.

Authentic Mexican food recipes like Mexican stew and Mexican casserole can be made as spicy as you want. If you are feeding a family or mixed group, you might want to make your Mexican food mild and leave a bottle of hot sauce on the table. That way, people can adjust the spiciness of their own meal.

Sweet and Spicy Food

The Mexicans also love to combine sweetness with spice and snacks like caramelized jalapenos or chili flavored chocolate are not unusual in Mexico. The sweetness and spiciness complement one another in a way you would only understand if you have tried it.

You can get a similar taste if you combine sweetness and spice in a savory Mexican food recipe. Corn is sweet, as are fresh tomatoes and these are also Mexican staples. Try adding chilies to a corn or tomato based dish and you will see how the flavors go together.



Mexican Style Spicy Bean Burgers

This is a very simple recipe for Mexican bean burgers. Beans are one of the primary Mexican staples and whether you are looking for a vegetarian Mexican recipe or just something a little bit different, this healthy, wholesome, and tasty bean burger recipe is guaranteed to satisfy your hunger.

This recipe makes four to eight bean burgers, depending how big you make them. If you want to make appetizer recipes for a Superbowl party or similar event, you can make mini bean burgers or, if you want to satisfy a raging hunger, make them big and juicy and serve them with lots of toppings!

What you will need:


16 oz can red kidney beans
1/2 cup flour
1 carrot
1/2 green bell pepper
1/2 white onion
1 teaspoon black pepper
1/2 teaspoon salt
1/8 teaspoon chili powder
1 cup breadcrumbs
1/8 cup chunky salsa

How to make them:

Preheat the oven to 450 degrees F. Drain and rinse the kidney beans. Peel, steam and mash the carrot. Chop the onion and bell pepper. Combine everything to make balls and shape the balls into patties. Bake them for 20 minutes, and then serve on buns with salsa, lettuce, and tomato. Top each spicy bean burger with a slice of Mexican cheese if you like and serve right away.

There are plenty of easy Mexican recipes you can make, and this includes both spicy and non-spicy Mexican food. At our site, you will find Mexican food for all occasions, including traditional Mexican foods, soups, stews, tacos, salads and much more.

MexicanFoodRecipes.org When it has to be Real Authentic Mexican Food

Add Spice to Your Life with Mexican Food

One of the finest cuisines that satiate the gastronomic desires of people worldwide is Mexican food. Mexican food refers to a style of food that originated from Mexico. You will love Mexican cuisine due to its varied flavours, grand decoration and its enticing spicy taste.

The history of Mexican food can be traced back to pre-Hispanic traditions. The Aztecs and the Spanish colonists contributed handsomely to the evolution of the cuisine. Beef, chicken, pork etc. are some of the chief non-vegetarian ingredients. Pepper, broccoli, cauliflower, radish etc. are some of the vegetarian ingredients that are used in abundance. It is said that Mexican gastronomy is also to some extent influenced by the Caribbean and the French.

Mexican food varies in taste and style from region to region in the country. Climatic conditions, and ethnic differences have cast their impact on Mexican gastronomy. In northern Mexico, you will find beef and meat items aplenty. To the contrary, the south-eastern part of the country is famous for its spicy vegetable and chicken items. Now let us taste virtually a few well-known Mexican delicacies.

"Aquas frescas" is a refreshing beverage formed of fruits, cereals or seeds, sugar and water. The beverage is not only popular in Mexico, but also in Central America and the Caribbean islands. Aquas frescas has some highly sought-after flavours. Aagua de tamarindo is a popular variety of Aquas frescas that includes tamarind pods. Agua de jamaica is prepared with Roselle and agua de horchata includes rice. You can easily obtain the beverage from street vendors.

Another popular Mexican cuisine that will tickle your taste buds is "Arroz con Pollo". This is a dish comprising rice and chicken in Spanish. This item is considered to be a traditional delicacy. The highly luscious dish is prepared from rice, sofrito - a mixture of vegetables and fresh herbs, saffron and off course - chicken.

Next, let's have a taste of "Barbacoa". From historical times till date, Barbacoa is perceived to the original barbecue. Barbacoa refers to meat slowly cooked over an open fire. Barbacoa de cabeza, a North Mexican delicacy, is slowly cooked cow head. Barbacoa percolated into Texan cuisine where it was gradually transformed to the highly admired barbeque.

After Barbacoa, let's introduce "Pico de gallo" to our taste buds. The name is derived from Spanish meaning rooster's beak. Pico de gallo is actually a fruit salad with limejuice spread all over. Salty white chilli powder is sprinkled before serving.

Our last Mexican platter of the day is "Taco". Taco is a traditional Mexican offering comprising rolled maize tortilla with meat feelings. Generally grilled beef, picadillo, fish, pork or chicken is used for the filling. Taco tastes even yummier with chopped onion, chilli salsa, and other garnishes. In Mexico, you will find several varieties of Taco. The serving of a Taco is quite interesting. It is traditionally served flat on a tortilla and the tortilla itself is being warmed up on a comal. The tortilla being soft, it can be folded into a U-shape for ease of consumption. Cheese, lettuce and beef- all contribute to make Taco a mouth-watering dish.

Mexican gastronomy relate to rich variety of tastes. The food is considered to provide you a handsome dose of proteins, vitamins and minerals. However to some, Mexican food appears greasy and too much spicy.

Chris McCarthy owns InsaneChicken's Hot Sauce and BBQ Sauce Catalog. InsaneChicken's Hot Sauce and BBQ Catalog also has a large selection of BBQ Rubs.

How to Make Authentic Mexican Food at Home

We all love tacos, enchiladas, burritos and mexican rice dishes. The only problem is the cost of these Mexican favorites at a fine restaurant. What makes the food at a Mexican restaurant so appealing? Surely not the cost of the dish at your local Mexican restaurant!

You can prepare the same dishes as you get at a good Mexican restaurant yourself and even make them better than the chef. It all comes down to having the right ingredients and cooking the meat stock the right way. This simple cooking method can be used for almost all Mexican dishes that call for meat in them.

At the heart of the Mexican recipe is the preparation of the meat stock. Whenever you see the word 'carne' on a Mexican food menu, this refers to the type of meat used in the dish. This is usually chicken or beef. When you prepare your meat for the Mexican dish that you want to serve, you have to begin with an authentic Mexican 'carne' recipe. This includes different peppers, onions, other ingredients and requires the right simmering time to build the right flavor into the meat.

Although every recipe is different, many Mexican foods use common ingredients that you will need to prepare the carne meat. The use of chili peppers, tomatoes and onions, along with garlic are usually a part of most Mexican food recipes. Some other common ingredients include black pepper, oregano, paprika, parsley, cumin, lime juice, salt, sugar and cilantro. You will also need to keep some light olive oil on hand to prep the skillet.

First, coat the skillet with some light olive oil. Then start by browning the beef or chicken. After the meat is browned, drain off the oil residue into a disposable container. Then add approximately one half of a cup of water to the skillet. Adjust the heat of the stove to low. It is best to have a skillet with a lid, or some way to cover the meat stock while it is simmering.

The secret to great home prepared Mexican food is in the added ingredients you use while simmering your carne meat. For beef dishes, it is recommended that you simmer the browned meat for 35-45 minutes on a low temperature to extract the flavor of the spices. You want to take your time and prepare a lot of stock at one cooking session. The meat stock can be used again after it is frozen.

With chicken carne stock, you can reduce the simmering time to 25-30 minutes. The chicken will absorb the flavor of your spices faster and be ready to add to your recipe sooner. These rules of thumb can be adjusted as needed depending on your taste.

As a basic recipe for preparing Mexican carne stock, use the following ingredients in this order:

* Add 1 tsp. salt

* A few squirts of lime juice

* A dash or two of cumin and oregano

* Black pepper the stock to suit your taste

* Add hot sauce to taste and blend the stock and spices well

* Finally add a few diced green and red peppers.

Then spread chopped and diced onions evenly around the meat. The onions help to release the flavor of the other spices and transfer it into the meat. This is a secret to building a flavorful Mexican meat stock. Your beef or chicken will taste authentic and full flavored.

These are the basics of starting your Mexican cooking. Now all you do is use the meat stock you have prepared in your favorite Mexican recipes. This will start you on your way to cooking the best types of Mexican cuisine. You can save money by cooking at home and enjoy the great Mexican food you love more often.

Marc is a budding home chef and respected author. Look for more articles from Marc in the future.

The Story Behind Mexican Food

Mexican food is popular all over the world and for great reasons. There is such a variety when it comes to Mexican dishes. You can taste combinations you never have before. Many people appreciate the great Mexican minds that created popular Mexican foods. The foods thrill our taste buds, the smells excite our minds, and the looks please our eyes, enrich, and inspire our souls.

A lot of Mexican food today is based on the traditional Mexican recipes from thousands of years ago, when the Aztecs and Mayas first made them. Some exotic and authentic Mexican food recipes include spider monkeys, rattlesnakes, and iguana. These ingredients are not unheard of but few modern Mexican recipes include them and you will not find them in Taco Bell!

In addition, Mexican food evolved more when the Spanish colonists arrived, bringing new cookery ideas, methods, and different ingredients to incorporate in existing Mexican food dishes. Chili pepper has been a staple ingredient in Mexican recipes for thousands of years and is still very popular. Some Mexican dishes, especially those originating from the Yucatan and Vera Cruz, have a Caribbean influence. Other Mexican dishes, such as bolillo, have a French influence. Bolillo is a popular Mexican bread.

There are many health benefits when it comes to Mexican foods. They are rich in vitamins and minerals, with low fat and calories. You are not eating authentic Mexican food if you eat at Taco Bell. America has added many fats to the foods, which does not contain all the nutrients you would eat if you ate in Mexico. Mexican dishes contain many fresh ingredients that you may not be able to find in other types of cuisine. Tomatoes, peppers, onions, and others are very healthy for your body.

Each Mexican region offers different Mexican food. A lot of this depends on the geography and climate of the region and its ethnic differences. In the north of Mexico, meat dishes are very popular. In the south, vegetables and chicken are widely used. The Mexican state of Vera Cruz produces a lot of seafood dishes because this state is long and tropical and there are lowlands running up and down the Gulf of Mexico. Fish such as grouper, red snapper, mojarra, and snook are easy to find. Mojarra is an especially delicious local fish. Lobsters, crab, and oysters are plentiful.

As well as the ocean, over forty rivers run through this state. There are many types of shellfish and freshwater fish available. These seafood recipes are prepared in different ways. Seafood can add a different taste to popular authentic Mexican recipes and it is a very healthy part of the diet.

You can learn a lot of history and facts about Mexican food by the different regions. Trying new recipes will give you a taste as to why they differ. With Mexican culture rich in history, it is always nice to learn about how the foods came about and how they are nowadays. Once you are knowledgeable about the dishes, it makes it even more enjoyable when cooking and eating.

Mexican food recipes that your family will beg for every time with the taste of traditional Mexican recipes. Find information on just why Mexican cuisine is so popular and why so many people are finding this healthy diet so attractive.

Everything You Ever Wanted to Know About Mexican Food History

Mexican food has enjoyed great popularity in America for years. From burritos to enchiladas, Mexican recipes are the pride of many an American cook and the colorful, spicy, delicious dishes grace many a table. Nevertheless, what is the story behind the cuisine? A little Mexican food history can spice up your kitchen and shed some light on the roots of many or our favorite dishes.

While it is believed that Mexican food has strong roots in the ancient Mayan culture, it was the Spanish invasion of Mexico in 1521 that most strongly influenced the dishes. The Spanish explorer Cortez and his followers brought with them new types of livestock like pigs, cows, and sheep. They also brought dairy products and various herbs and spices like garlic.

While Cortez introduced many new foods to Mexico, he was also, in turn, introduced to some new foods. Peanuts, chocolate, vanilla, beans, avocados, coconuts, tomatoes, corn, and squash were among the "new" foods that Cortez encountered. It was a well-balanced trade of regional delicacies and palate pleasing foods.

According to Mexican food history, many of the traditional Mexican foods have roots in other cultures as well as the Mexican culture. For instance, quesadillas, a mainstay in Mexico and considered to be authentic Mexican food actually not only have roots in Mexican traditions, but in Spanish as well. The corn tortilla, thought to be quintessential Mexican, is actually native American.

The cheese, pork, beef, and lettuce that grace so many of our favorite Mexican dishes, including the quesadilla, are Spanish. The hot sauce that is made from chili pepper, though, is indigenous to Mexico. However, it is a little known Mexican food history fact that many of the spices thought to be Mexican are actually Spanish in origin. Black pepper, cinnamon, coriander and oregano are several spices that are often used in Mexican cooking but are not native to the country.

Other cultural influences left their mark on Mexican food. The French dabbled in Mexican occupation briefly in the 1860's. This resulted in such popular dishes as chili en nogado, which is a dish of stuffed chilies in a walnut sauce. Such French inspired dishes with a Mexican flair have withstood the test of time and become ingrained in the Mexican culture, ultimately finding their way onto American plates.

One of the most popular adaptations of Mexican food and an integral part of Mexican food history is the influence from the Southwest United States, namely southern Texas. This style of Mexican food, dubbed "Tex-Mex" has become a favorite of people all over the world. North meets south in this cultural combination of northern Mexico and Southwestern Texas. In many restaurants today, it is more Tex-Mex than authentic Mexican food that is being served.

Mexican food history is rich and varied. With so many interesting cultural influences throughout time, it seems that Mexico has been more of a culinary melting pot. What have resulted, however, are delicious foods, rich in flavor that has soared in popularity. It does not seem to be slowing anytime soon.

Mexican food recipes are easier than you might think find out just how simple it is to make your favorite traditional Mexican food recipes at home in your own kitchen by visiting our site dedicated to authentic Mexican food.

For more interesting Mexican food history check out our site "Mexican Food Recipes" for more interesting facts plus some great tasting traditional Mexican food.

KC is a writer and a short order cook for six all boys except Mom. He loves cooking and loves writing about food and many other subjects. He has had a love for all things food but a special place is reserved for those special Mexican dishes.

Tasty Mexican Food Recipe Ideas For Appetizers

You can probably name plenty of traditional Mexican foods for entrees and maybe even desserts and drinks but what about Mexican appetizers?

Mexican families love to gather together to enjoy one another's company and, of course, to delight in their favorite Mexican food recipes at the same time. A Mexican dinner table might be heaving with a wide selection of foods for people to help themselves or there might just be a couple of family favorites, which everyone loves.

Types of Mexican Appetizer Recipes

Corn chips and tortilla chips served with homemade salsa is always popular, either as a snack between two meals or as an appetizer at a party.

You can have different kinds of chips and different types of dips too. Guacamole, mild salsa, hummus, a creamy cheese dip, and a chili salsa might be a nice selection to serve with the dipping chips.

Other well loved Mexican appetizers include tamales, empanadas, chimichangas, and ceviche.

Mexican Salad Recipes

Mexican salads are very popular too and you can serve a mixed salad as an appetizer or make an impressive looking Mexican seven layer salad, which is an example of a traditional Mexican food recipe.

A seven layer salad looks great served in a glass bowl, so your guests can see every layer. The layers might include tomatoes, lettuce, corn kernels, fried ground beef, onions, Mexican cheese, olives, avocado, salsa, guacamole, black beans, sour cream, bell pepper, or whatever you like, or whatever you have in your kitchen.

Using contrasting textures and colors is always a good idea. Top your seven layer salad with some grated cheese and a handful of fresh cilantro and you will have a winning dish.

There are many different authentic Mexican food recipes you can consider if you want to serve a Mexican appetizer. If you are serving a rich and filling main course, you might want to consider something light, such as ceviche, a seafood cocktail or thinly cut stuffed tortilla pinwheels.

A Quick and Easy Mexican Appetizer Recipe

The following Mexican appetizer recipe is really easy to make and does not require a lot of ingredients. You can either make your own roasted red bell peppers or use a jar.

The same applies with the guacamole and you can use your favorite brand or make your own. The following recipe is enough for four to six people.

Tortilla Pinwheels with Roasted Bell Pepper and Goat Cheese

You will need:

4 small, soft flour tortillas
3 oz goat cheese
7 oz jar roasted red peppers
1/4 teaspoon freshly ground black pepper
6 oz guacamole
Fresh basil, to garnish

How to make it:

Drain the roasted peppers and dry them with a towel or paper towels. Chop them coarsely. Spread the cheese over the tortillas and the guacamole over the cheese. Sprinkle the black pepper and the chopped roasted peppers over the top of the cheese and roll the tortillas up, pressing the edges well to seal them.

Cut each rolled up, stuffed tortilla into six slices with a sharp, serrated knife. Secure them with toothpicks and garnish with fresh basil. Serve these delicious Mexican appetizers chilled.

Not sure about Mexican recipes because you're confused by all those foreign sounding names? Don't worry we have you covered with an extensive Mexican food glossary complete with phonetic pronunciations for the non-Spanish speaking too. See when we set out to make a website on Mexican food we aimed to make the best Mexican food site on the net. We understand that Americans want to eat health and know just how great traditional Mexican cooking is. It is loaded with loads of fresh produce and lively seasonings that make this the perfect food for anyone concerned about eating right.

A well planned Mexican appetizer recipe gives your guests a tantalizing taste of the meal to come and you can choose from hundreds of Mexican food recipes ideas. Perhaps something simple like tortilla chips and homemade salsa sounds good to you or maybe you want to try a lightly spiced Mexican seafood recipe. You can find all these recipes and many more at MexicanFoodRecipes.org - When it has to be Real Authentic Mexican Food.

Mexican Food Restaurants - Where Do You Want to Eat Tonight?

Say, "Mexican Food" and most people automatically begin to salivate. Whether you mean Mexican, Southwestern Cuisine, or Tex-Mex, the favorite adjective is always "delicious". From the smallest towns in America to the busiest bustling cities all across this country, foods of the great Southwest and south of the border rank right up at the top of preferred dining lists.

There's a difference, of course, between Mexican and Southwestern foods even though we often lump them together and say "Let's go Mexican". The difference is in the use of jalapeno peppers or green or red chili peppers. And then there's Tex-Mex that tends to be hotter than Mexican. And Santa Fe style is usually the hottest of all because they use more and hotter chili peppers. Travelling in the Southwestern part of the country? Be prepared to answer "Red or Green?" Order your sauce on the side if you think it will be too spicy. Want to sound like an expert? Answer, "Christmas" (both red and green).

We all know that pizza remains a mainstay in the American diet and "Let's get Chinese" is a repeated refrain across the country in millions of households, but "Let's go Mexican tonight" remains a choice that's a cut above the rest - considered a special selection - a little more adventuresome - a bit more celebratory. There are great reasons for the feeling that dining out at a good Mexican restaurant is something special, whether it's Southwestern, Tex-Mex, Santa Fe - or just plain Mexican. For our purposes, let's call it "Mexican Style".

1) First of all, most Mexican style restaurants in our country remain in the reasonably priced range. You know that places like the Grille and Cantina near to your home are not going to cost an arm and a leg and the reward will be great value and great taste. In these days of a struggling economy and the need to save, ordering Mexican food for dinner is a wise choice. You can even enjoy a selection of appetizers - and leave completely satisfied for almost "small change". And the highest price item on the menu comes at a surprisingly low cost.

2) Most Mexican style menus are enormously varied and feature a wide array of seemingly endless options. There is usually something on those big menus of most Mexican restaurants that will suit the most discriminating palate.  Menu offerings range from Carnitas (chunks of tender pork, slow roasted with chilies and onions), to Quesadillas (large flour tortillas stuffed with optional cheese, chicken, etc.). Ever tried Chicken Diabla (a sauteed chicken breast with zucchini, yellow squash, red onion and diced tomatoes in a chipotle cream sauce)? Delicious! And of course there's Flan (the ultimate Mexican style custard dessert) - comparable to Cr?me Brule in the finest restaurants.

3) If you have a Margarita or a glass of wine with your dinner, you will experience the perfect dining experience. Even special Mexican beers will complement the meal, much as fine wine accompanies the most elegant menu. Would you order wine at the Chinese restaurant in the strip mall down the street? It just doesn't seem "to go". But wine, beer, or margaritas are not only available, they are part of the charm of the Mexican style/southwestern culinary adventure. You can even find a restaurant that offers Wine Night Specials.

4) The latest trend in Mexican style dining is Catered Events. Some Mexican style restaurants are now offering catering services for our special American celebrations, birthday parties, family reunions, and yes - even weddings! You choose the place and they will bring all that delicious food to you, lay it out, and serve it with flair. What a great party that can be. Mexican style food is the same as having a Celebration in the minds of many and though the celebration table will be laden with a huge variety of delectable selections, the cost is happily bound to be much less than any other catering service you can find.

5) Special Events. Cinco de Mayo is not the only event you will see advertised at your local Mexican style restaurant. Some establishments feature Mariachi Bands that appear on a regular basis (kids love em'). Or you may find a Margarita special night. Or Wine Night Specials that include dinner. One Mexican restaurant in Fairfax, Virginia even celebrates St. Patrick's Day! It pays to check out the special events offered by your local restaurateur. These events make dining truly special, something you will not find when you go for pizza or Chinese.

6) Patio Dining beneath the stars. When the weather's fine, some Mexican establishments offer patio dining, either covered or uncovered. Talk about ambience! The atmosphere is positively balmy and relaxing while music floats outside to lull diners into a state of euphoria. Good food, a happy celebration, and the nighttime lights and music can make this dining experience something you will return to again and again.

7) To top it all off, Mexican food is healthy! Fresh veggies for the salads and side dishes (and we all know about the value of vegetables), avocado for the guacamole dip (high in everything!), beans for the refries (for fiber), and lots of protein. Delicious and healthy too - the perfect combination.

Why Mexican food? Let us count the many ways. As you experience the culinary adventures of southwest and south-of-the-border cuisine, you can create your own list of positives to add to this one Experiment - go Mexican Style and check out the subtle and not-so-subtle differences. And try this. When your family asks, "Where should we eat tonight?" answer, "Let's go Mexican!"

Mexican Food Information

Do you like Mexican food?  I sure do!  Hopefully you will enjoy my Mexican food blog!

Mexican Food - Brief Introduction to Mexican Food

Mexican Food is one of the most sought after cuisines and around the globe. Everywhere you go, you are bound to find Mexican food as the gastronomic demand for this cuisine is increasing. Mexican food is famous for its flavours, exciting flavours and its enticing spicy taste.

Mexican food goes way back to the pre-Hispanic era. The Aztecs and the Spanish colonists contributed to the evolution of this type of food. Among the non-vegetarian ingredients used in Mexican cuisine are Pork, Beef and Chicken. As for the vegetarian ingredients, broccoli, cauliflower, radish and pepper are used in abundance. It has also been stated that the Caribbean and French were also responsible for the evolution of Mexican cuisine.

Every region in Mexico has its own unique taste, style and variety. Different climate conditions and various ethnic groups contribute to the impact on Mexican gastronomy. The South-Eastern part of Mexico is famous for its chicken and spicy vegetables. Whereas in the Northern region, you will find more beef and meat used in the dishes. If you are fortunate enough to travel the whole of Mexico, you can easily distinguish the dishes between the regions.

"Arroz con Pollo" is a well known Mexican delicacy that has the capability to tickle your taste buds. It is made up of rice and chicken and is considered to be a traditional delicacy. The dish gets is very colourful as it is made up of a mixture of vegetables, fresh herbs and saffron.
"Barbacoa" is similar to your barbecue and since it dates back to historical times, barbecue is said to have been originated from "Barbacoa". Similar to how we do a barbecue, meat is slowly cooked over an open fire in this type of dish. "Barcacoa de cabeza" is a North Mexican favourite where the cow head is cooked slowly over open fire.

"Pico de gallo" means rooster's beak in Spanish and it is a fruit salad with limejuice spread all over. Before serving, salty white chilli powder is sprinkled on the dish to add some more spiciness to the dish.
If you are a food person, you would have heard of the word "Taco". It is a Mexican platter made up of rolled maize tortilla with meat fillings. The fillings can be made from grilled beef, pork, fish, picadillo or chicken. "Taco" is best eaten together with chopped chilli, salsa, onion and other garnishes to bring out the flavours of the dish. "Taco" is served flat on a tortilla that is warmed up on a comal. As tortilla is soft, it can be folded into a U-shape which makes it easier to eat. Taco is a mouth watering dish and can be easily prepared suitable for a quick and healthy meal anytime of the day.

In the beverage category, "Aquas Frescas" is a refreshing beverage made from fruits, seeds, sugar, cereals and water. This beverage is not only popular in Mexico but also in Central America and the Carribean. Tamarind is added to create a variety called "Aqua de tamarindo" which is highly sought after. "Aqua de horchata" includes rice while Roselle is added to make "Aqua de jamaica". These drinks are easy available from street vendors and very affordable.

Mexican food has a very wide variety and is very rich in taste. This type of food not only tastes good but also provides you with essential vitamins, minerals, proteins and fibre. As the vegetables used are not overcooked and most raw, they contain a much higher nutritional value as compared to cooked ones. To those who are not used to spicy food, you should stay away from Mexican cuisine as lots of chillies and peppers are used!