Mexican Food

Mexican Food Mexican Recipe's

Mexican food really is one of the most popular cuisines in the world today. Mexico is very much still considered a third world country and it struggles at times to produce enough fresh food for its population of around 87 million people. What most of us tend to eat if we live outside of Mexico is more than likely Tex Mex. Mexican food in Mexico, as with other countries like China and India , only bears a slight resemblance to its more bastardised form outside of it's borders.


Mexican Recipes


Most of today's Mexican food is based on ancient traditions, such as the Aztecs and Maya, combined with culinary trends introduced by Spanish colonists. When Spanish conquistadors arrived in the Aztec capital Tenochtitlan (Mexico City) they found that the people's diet consisted largely of corn-based dishes with chillies and herbs, usually complemented with beans and tomatoes. The conquistadors eventually combined their imported diet of rice, beef, pork, chicken, wine, garlic and onions with the native indigenous foods of pre-Columbian Mexico.


The French occupation of Mexico influenced Mexican cuisine with baked goods such as sweet breads and the bolillo, a Mexican take on the French roll. There is also a minor Asian influence due to the Manila-Acapulco galleon trade, which lasted from 1565 to 1815.

Mexican food varies by region, because of local climate and geography and ethnic differences among the indigenous inhabitants and because these different populations were influenced by the Spaniards in varying degrees. The north of Mexico is known for its beef and goat meat dishes, in particular the well-known Arrachera cut. Central Mexico's cuisine is largely made up of influences from the rest of the country, but also has its authentic dishes, such as barbacoa, pozole, menudo and carnitas.

South eastern Mexico, on the other hand, is known for its spicy vegetable and chicken-based dishes. Seafood is commonly prepared in the states that border the Pacific Ocean or the Gulf of Mexico, the latter having a famous reputation for its fish dishes a la veracruzana.
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 really eating authentic Mexican food if you eat at Taco Bell but Taco Bell actually came from Mexico!

It started life as a fast food stand and first appeared in 1962. They sold tacos to hungry street diners.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. Regardless of the foreign elements present in Mexico's nouvelle cuisine, the main ingredients remain the same recipe after recipe. The most common ingredient used in Mexican food is corn. Like the ancient civilizations that lived in the region, Mexicans have learned how to cook almost every meal with corn. Corn flour is the main component involved in the preparation of the Mexican food, and corn is also used in many forms for a wide variety of meals, including candy.

Corn is the main food crop grown in Mexico. It is grown on half of the cultivated land. The Indians living in what is now central or southern Mexico ate corn from wild plants about 10,000 years ago. About 5000 B. C. the Indians learned how to grow corn themselves. Corn is used to make flat pancakes called tortillas. They are sometimes folded and stuffed with different foods to make tacos.


TEX MEX


The Mexican cuisine eventually met the cuisine from the north, and Tex-Mex food was created. Tex-Mex food is a blend of flavours and recipes from the Mexican, Texan and American culture. Today we can find several different kinds of foods Mexicans eat, from enchiladas, tacos and burritos to award-winning gourmet creations.

Tex-Mex food is a name used to describe dishes that are found in the state of Texas that is primarily American. It blends available foods in the United States with traditional Mexican cuisine. Some of the Tex-Mex foods may differ from actual Mexican dishes, but are still referred to Mexican dishes in Texas. People who live outside of Texas sometimes refer to Tex-Mex as Southwestern food.
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Another difference that separates Tex-Mex dishes is the way the foods are prepared. The use of spices and sauces are different from Mexico. Also the dishes usually have more meat and fewer beans. The dishes are influenced by the southern state of Chihuahua, which is also known for their dishes having more meat. The foods are usually named the same as the dishes in Mexico. Burritos, chimichangas, tacos, and others consist of the same ingredients. The reason it is different is by the green chilli and other small details. You may also find different items on the menus such as fish tacos and shrimp enchiladas.

Some Mexican dishes that have a different taste in Tex-Mex include chorizo. It is a sausage that is spicy, being seasoned with red chilli and garlic. It is a food that can be served at breakfast. The Tex-Mex chorizo is said to taste different by its spice blend. Tortillas in Tex-Mex cuisine are also different. The tortillas are usually more thick and less chewy then tortillas found in other places. Posole is a stew that Tex-Mex has put their twist into. Tex-Mex style has many green chiles added to it, which makes it a lot different than the traditional dish. Tex-Mex cuisine contains large amounts of beef, spices, and beans. Texas-style chili, crispy chalupas, and fajitas are all Tex-Mex originals.

A serving of tortillas with hot sauce or salsa is another Texas invention. Other tasty creations include seven-layer dip, and tamale pie. Mango margaritas are a modern drink in the Tex-Mex menu. Many of these recipes are simple and require little skill, but there are some foods that involve preparation of another recipe to complete the main dish.

Even the salsa is a bit different in the Tex-Mex style. Typical salsa will include tomatoes, chiles, onions, and other spices. In Tex-Mex food, the salsa has a large amount of cilantro added. Whatever restaurant you go to, you are likely to have chilli sauce on top of your dish.
Mexican Recipes