Cuisine Focus – Mexican – Colors and Textures

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Inventively creative- this is the best phrase that describes Mexico and its food. With over hundreds of dishes prepared under Mexican roofs, you can definitely tell that Mexican cuisine is about diversity in both texture and color.

Loud and proud, this is also a great way of defining Mexican food. For one, its people are keen into using locally-available resource. From its staples of beans, rice and corn up to their use of Chili and smoke-dried Jalapeno (Chipotle), you can definitely sense that Mexican cuisine is bursting with spices and strong flavors.

The elements that comprise this cuisine are not only limited to beans or corn. They make use of vegetables and meat as important bases in preparing their food. Spices namely cumin, oregano, cilantro and cinnamon are also frequently used. Mexican dishes, for the most part, are likewise flavored by means of pepper, garlic and onions.

Mexican food is likewise identified by its regions. Climate, ethnicity and geography also affected the cuisine’s past and continual growth. Local consumption of meat, vegetables and seafood varies, depending on past influences and production. For example, there are regions in Mexico that prefer spicy foods while there are other parts wherein fish remains as primary seafood.

Ingredients Utilized in Mexican Cuisine

Meat:

Beef, Chicken, Pork, Lamb, Turkey, Duck, Goat

Seafood:

Fish, Shrimp, Squid, Tuna, Clams, Sea Bass, Scallops, Crab, Snapper, Oysters, Lobster, Red Snapper, Swordfish, Flounder, Sole

Vegetables:

Squash, Potato, Achiote, Sapote, Sweet Potatoes, Olives, Peas, Mushroom, String Beans, Radish, Cabbage, Carrots, Tomato, Lettuce, Cucumber, Celery, Beets, Green Onion

Spices and Herbs:

Cilantro, Oregano, Cumin, Cinnamon, Chili Powder, Jalapeno, Garlic, Onions, Peppers, Parsley, Clove, Anise, Thyme, Marjoram, Epazote

Fruits:

Pineapple, Soursop, Avocado, Papaya, Guava, Mango, Tamarind, Coconut, Prickly Pear Cactus, Peaches, Banana, Orange, Melon, Watermelon,Strawberries, Grapes, Grapefruit, Lemon, Lime, Apple

Grains:

Rice, Corn, Beans, Barley, Wheat

Dairy:

Cheese, Milk, Butter

Condiments:

Mustard, Mayonnaise

Other important ingredients also include honey, almonds and olive oil. Their food choices are also affected by certain cultures including the Mayan people. Just like other types of cuisine, Mexican food is about accepting change and using its benefits for the greater good. They do not give too much weight on practices that are seemingly strict and structured. And as proven by its history and culture, Mexico largely benefited from the so called mixing of minds and ideas regarding food.

Furthermore, one can never discount the fact that the Mexicans are gifted and talented cooks. They can transform a simple dish into something interesting by simply adding a dash of cumin or squeezing a wedge of lemon. Salsa and tacos are made perfect by spices and condiments that add character and texture. More so, you can anticipate an array of dishes that are truly created out of honesty and pure thought.

Authentic Mexican Recipes

Traditional Mexican Chicken Enchiladas Recipe

Recipe Source: mexicanfoodrecipes.org

Ingredients:

12 corn tortillas
3 cooked chicken breast halves, no bones or skin, shredded
½ cup chopped green onions
½ cup chopped fresh cilantro
2 cups chicken broth
1 cup sour cream
¾ cup minced onion
12 oz shredded cheddar cheese
4 oz chopped green chilies
¼ cup butter
¼ cup all purpose flour
Vegetable oil for frying

Preparation:

Preheat the oven to 375ºF. Heat 2 tablespoons of oil in a large frying pan over a medium high heat, and then fry the tortillas on 5 seconds per side until they are pliable. Do them individually and add more oil as required. Drain the tortillas on paper towels and keep them warm.

Divide the chicken, onion (not green onion) and 10 oz of the cheese between the tortillas. Roll them up and place in a greased baking pan, seam side down. Melt the butter in a pan over a medium heat. Add the flour and whisk until it begins to boil. Add the broth, stirring continuously.

Add the chilies and sour cream. Stir occasionally and do not let the mixture boil. Pour this mixture over the enchiladas when hot and thick. Bake the Mexican chicken enchiladas for 20 minutes then top with the rest of the cheese and bake for a further 5 minutes. Use the green onions and cilantro to garnish them.

Serves 6

All-in-One Breakfast Burrito

Recipe Source: mexgrocer.com

Ingredients:

4 Mission® Soft Taco Size Flour Tortillas
5 slices Bacon
1 Tbsp. Butter
4 Eggs beaten
1 small Tomato cored, seeded and chopped
Salsa for garnish

Recipe Instructions:

1. Place bacon between two paper towels on a paper plate. Cook in microwave 4-5 minutes, just until bacon is crisp. Break into pieces.
2. Melt butter in skillet. Scramble eggs until almost done. Add tomato and bacon. Cook 30 seconds to 1 minute.
3. Heat tortillas. Spoon egg mixture equally into center of tortillas. Fold burrito style. Serve immediately with salsa.
4. Note: Burritos may be frozen. Wrap individually in foil. To reheat, remove foil. Place on paper plate. Heat one in microwave for 1-1 1/2 minutes on HIGH, or until heated through. For each additional burrito, add 30-45 seconds.

Image Credit: food-faq.net

mexicanfoodrecipes.org

mexgrocer.com

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