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.

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