Mexican Flavour Mexican Food Basics:
Mexican Cuisine has myriad spice-laced dishes, ranging from harmless to blistering hot! Some key elements are:
Chillies: The highlight of Mexican cuisine is the use of different types of chillies.From the 50-60 varieties of chillies that are grown in Mexico, about 20-25 varieties are commonly and regularly used.No, not all of them are spicy.Several are used mainly for zesty flavours- both fresh and dried.Popular varieties of chillies include jalapeno, poblano, serrano, guajillo, chipotle, pasilla, habanero, ancho, mulato and cascabel.Large Poblano chillies are stuffed and served as a main course, while the small ones, like habanero are ferociously hot.
Corn: Most commonly used for tortillas.Also used for tacos(tortillas stuffed with chicken, beef, fish or cheese) and tamales(sreamed and stuffed with meat or vegetables)
 Beans: There are several varieties of beans - from lentils to kidney beans, they are found in many soups and stews.Small beans are often served as "refrito" (refried in lard, tasty but heavy) or "de la olla"(boiled and served in a light soup.
Tomatoes: This essential ingredient for a tasty salsa, is also used in sauces for both fish and beef dishes.
Cactus: Mexicans use different varieties of this form of vegetation in salads and certain dishes. What You Get In Mexico:
Central Mexico: A blend of Aztec and Spanish.Also, look for the centuries old "mole poblano", a thick, dark sauce made with dried chillies, nuts, seeds, spices, cocoa and other ingredients.
Southern Mexico: With its variety of dried peppers, this region is famous for its herbed stews and sauces.
Pacific Coast: The basic meal in this part is seafood, garnished with tomatoes and herbs followed by rich coffee. ********************************************* Common Mexican Dishes:
1.Burritos:
Ingredients:
4 Flour tortillas/flour rotis, 1/2 cup refried beans, 1 cup lettuce(shredded), 1/2 cup grated cheese, 1 medium onion, 1/4 cup salsa fresca. Method:
Peel,wash and finely chop onions.Mix together beans, onion and cheese.Heat tortillas on a griddle plate until hot and pliable but make sure it does not become dry.Place about 2 tbsps of beans mixture a little below the center of the tortilla.Top it up with the salsa fresca and fold sides of tortilla over the filling to the centerFold bottom over filling and roll up,enclosing filling completely.Serve immediately as burritos tend to become soggy very soon. *********************************************  2.Salsa Fresca:
Ingredients:
4 medium tomatoes, 1 medium onion,2 jalapeno peppers, 2 tsps olive oil,1 tsp vinegar, 1/2 lemon,1/8 tsp dried oregano,salt to taste, 2 tbsps coriander leaves.
Method:
Cut the base of the tomato, make a cross slit on the topside and immerse in boiling water for 10 seconds.Remove and immediately put them in cold water.Peel,de-seed and chop them roughly.Peel,wash onion and chop as fine as possible.Wash and finely chop the peppers too.Squeeze the lemon,strain and keep the juice.In a medium size bowl,combine tomatoes,onion and peppers.Add the olive oil,vinegar,lemon juice and salt.Crush the oregano and add.Mix well and let the sauce stand for at least 2 hours to blend the flavours.Serve at room temperature with your choice of snacks or as a dip for your cocktails.
Red Wine vinegar is recommended but you can also substitute with regular vinegar. ********************************************* Next |
