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The Basics of Mexican Cooking
Mexican cuisine is a vibrant and diverse culinary tradition that goes far beyond the familiar tastes of tacos and tequila. This blog post provides an introduction to the essence of Mexican cooking, emphasizing its rich flavors, traditional foods, and essential kitchen tools. We explore the top ten dishes that define the cuisine, from guacamole to champurrado. The post also guides you through the typical Mexican kitchen and offers insight into common culinary terms. Finally, for those looking to dive deeper, we provide recommendations for some great cookbooks and resources to enhance your understanding of this colorful cuisine. Whether you’re a novice or a seasoned cook, this guide will inspire you to bring a fiesta of flavors to your cooking repertoire.
There’s more to Mexican food than tacos and tequila. Our beginners’ guide to this colourful cuisine reveals it’s a real fiesta of flavours!
Mexican cuisine is a beautiful mosaic, blending indigenous Mesoamerican cooking with Spanish influences. Its foundations are deeply rooted in history and tradition, making it one of the most popular and beloved cuisines worldwide. While many people immediately think of tacos and tequila, Mexican cooking offers a vast array of dishes that captivate both the taste buds and the imagination.
In Mexico, food is more than just sustenance; it is an expression of culture, tradition, and art. Each region boasts its own specialties, ingredients, and techniques, reflecting the country’s diverse landscape and heritage. From the spicy, hearty flavors of the north to the tropical fruits and seafood of the south, every bite into Mexican food tells a story of its people and their lands.
Top 10 Mexican foods
GUACAMOLE
Guacamole is a quintessential part of Mexican cuisine and is loved for its fresh, creamy, and versatile nature. Made primarily from ripe avocados, lime juice, cilantro, onion, and optional chili peppers, it serves as both a dip and a topping. The secret to a great guacamole is perfectly ripe avocados and balancing the ingredients to achieve the perfect texture and taste.
This savory dish has roots that trace back to the Aztecs, who made a similar avocado-based sauce. Today, guacamole is enjoyed worldwide and often customized with additions such as tomatoes, garlic, or even pomegranate seeds.
FRIJOLES (BEANS)
Frijoles, or beans, are a staple in the Mexican diet and come in various forms, including black beans, pinto beans, and refried beans. They are nutritious, filling, and an excellent source of protein, often accompanying main dishes or served on their own.
Beans are typically cooked until soft and then mashed or left whole, seasoned with ingredients like garlic, onions, and spices. In many Mexican households, a pot of beans is always on the stove, ready to be enjoyed at any meal.
TORTILLA
The tortilla, a flatbread made from corn or wheat, is perhaps the most iconic of all Mexican foods. Corn tortillas are a staple, dating back to ancient Mesoamerican civilizations, whereas wheat tortillas are more common in the northern regions of Mexico.
Tortillas are incredibly versatile; they form the foundation of many dishes such as tacos, enchiladas, and quesadillas. They can be grilled, fried, or enjoyed fresh, acting as a canvas for a variety of delicious toppings and fillings.
TORTA
The torta is a popular Mexican sandwich that offers a delightful explosion of flavors and textures in every bite. Served on a bolillo or telera roll, tortas are filled with ingredients like meats, cheeses, avocados, beans, and various condiments.
Often seen as street food, tortas can be customized to suit individual tastes, and their popularity lies in their portability and satisfying nature. From carnitas to chicken milanesa versions, the options are endless.
SALSA
Salsa is an integral part of Mexican cuisine, providing the perfect blend of spice, acidity, and freshness to complement any meal. There are countless variations, including salsa roja, salsa verde, and pico de gallo, each offering distinct flavors and aromas.
Made primarily from tomatoes, chili peppers, garlic, onions, and cilantro, salsas can be raw or cooked, chunky or smooth, mild or fiery. Salsa is a versatile condiment that enhances the flavor profile of everything from tacos to grilled meats.
MOLE
Mole is a rich, thick sauce that combines a multitude of ingredients to create a complex, layered flavor. The most famous is mole poblano, which combines chiles, chocolate, spices, and nuts for a uniquely savory and sweet dish.
This sauce has deep cultural significance and is often served during special occasions and holidays. The preparation of mole can be labor-intensive, with recipes passed down through generations, making it a cherished culinary tradition.
EMPANADA
Empanadas are pastry pockets filled with savory or sweet fillings, offering a delightful contrast between the crispy exterior and flavorful interior. These can be baked or fried, and fillings range from meats and cheeses to fruits and sweet custards.
A popular street food, empanadas make for a quick and satisfying snack or meal, and their portable nature makes them a favorite for on-the-go dining.
TAMALE
Tamales are a traditional Mesoamerican dish made of masa (corn dough) filled with meats, cheeses, or vegetables, then wrapped in corn husks and steamed. They are time-consuming to prepare, often made for special occasions or festivals.
Each tamale tells a story, reflecting regional variations in fillings and spices, and they hold a significant place in Mexican holiday celebrations as a symbol of community and togetherness.
FLAN
Flan is a creamy custard dessert with a rich caramel topping, beloved for its smooth texture and delicate sweetness. This classic dessert is often served chilled and provides a perfect finish to any Mexican meal.
Flan has Spanish roots but has become an integral part of Mexican gastronomy, often customized with flavors like vanilla, coconut, or coffee for a unique twist.
CHAMPURRADO
Champurrado is a thick, warm beverage made from masa, milk, and chocolate, often enjoyed during breakfast or as a comforting treat on chilly days. It’s traditionally served during celebrations like Día de los Muertos and Christmas.
This drink, with its roots in the Aztec culture, serves as a comforting reminder of Mexico’s rich culinary history and offers a perfect blend of flavors to warm the soul.
The Mexican kitchen
A Mexican kitchen is a vibrant space, filled with colors, smells, and essential tools that bring the cuisine to life. Central to this setup are items like the molcajete—a stone mortar and pestle used for grinding spices and making salsas—and the comal, a flat griddle used for cooking tortillas and roasting chiles.
Beyond the tools, common ingredients such as chilies, cilantro, lime, and corn are staples, each bringing unique flavors and textures to the table. Knowing how to balance these elements is key to mastering Mexican cooking, allowing each dish to sing with its own melody of taste sensations.
Learn the lingo
To fully appreciate Mexican cuisine, it helps to familiarize yourself with some of the key terms and ingredients commonly used. Terms like “enchilada,” “quesadilla,” and “sopa” dominate the menu and knowing what they mean can enhance your culinary experience.
Understanding ingredients such as “epazote” (a pungent herb used in bean dishes) or “achiote” (a spice made from annatto seeds) adds depth to your appreciation and ability to navigate through the vibrant world of Mexican cooking.
Good books
For those inspired to delve deeper, an array of cookbooks and food literature can guide you on your culinary journey. Books like “Mexico: The Cookbook” by Margarita Carrillo Arronte and “The Art of Mexican Cooking” by Diana Kennedy offer thorough insights and authentic recipes that capture the heart of Mexican cuisine.
Online resources and cooking shows also provide dynamic and visual ways to learn and appreciate the nuances of cooking methodologies and ingredient preparations that define this rich culinary landscape.
Comments
We’d love to hear from you! Share your experiences with Mexican cooking or tell us which dishes are your favorites. If you have any book recommendations or tips for beginners, feel free to comment below.
Future Prospects
Category | Details |
---|---|
Cuisine Overview | Explore the rich history and diversity of Mexican cuisine. |
Top 10 Dishes | Detailed profiles on must-try Mexican foods like Guacamole, Tamales, and Mole. |
Kitchen Essentials | Introduction to the typical Mexican kitchen tools and ingredients. |
Culinary Terms | Guide to understanding key Mexican cooking terms and ingredients. |
Resources | Recommendations for books and resources to further explore Mexican cooking. |
Community Interaction | Encouragement of reader feedback and sharing experiences. |
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