Mar 16 2010
Everything You Ever Wanted to Know about Mexican Food
What pops into your mind when you think of Mexican food? Probably the first thing you thought of was a taco, burrito, or enchilada. These dishes from Mexico are popular all over the world. They can also be made easily with a variety of ingredients. It does not matter if you have chicken, pork, beef, or seafood in your refrigerator… all of them will work for these familiar recipes.
Most everyone has made tacos at home, but how many make enchiladas? The recipe really is not too difficult at all. Heat up a corn tortilla in hot oil. Roll it around a filling and set it in a baking dish. Fill it with cheese, meat, beans, vegetables, or eggs. When the baking dish is full, pour enchilada sauce over the top, and sprinkle on some of your favorite cheese. Bake it in the oven until done. It is easy to find enchilada sauce at the store if you do not want to whip up some of your own.
Another food that is extremely popular in Mexico is tamales. You need to make a dough using masa, which is a corn flour. Small amounts of dough are shaped by hand and filled with meat, cheese, vegetables, or chilies. The “dumplings” are now wrapped up in corn husks or plantain leaves before they are steamed. This delicious treat is so popular that some Mexican communities celebrate it with festivals every year.
Burritos may be a bit more challenging than tacos since they must be folded securely. With a taco, all you need to do is fill the tortilla with your meat and toppings. Burritos must be filled and wrapped. They make an excellent choice when you need to eat on the go since they are so portable. Burritos can be filled with almost anything you have on hand. Add meat, beans, cheese, or eggs to make a filling meal.
If you have never made Mexican food before, do not worry about doing it wrong. Many recipes are very simple, like those described above. Most grocery stores carry a wide selection of spices and ingredients for Mexican cuisine. If you are worried about it being spicy, you can rest assured that not all Mexican food is spicy. Besides, when you make it yourself you can control the amount of spice you put in. You do not need to make it hot if you do not want to.
You do not have to be stuck with the most common recipes, either. Mexican casseroles are easy to make and can give you the flavors you are craving. Layering your favorite ingredients will create a delicious dish. Use whatever you have on hand, like beef, potatoes, onions, carrots, and herbs. Do not forget to spice it up with a few chilies and some cheese.
Check online and you will find a myriad of Mexican casserole recipes to choose from. These simple dishes are perfect for a night when you need a delicious meal that is also fast and easy. You will soon be enjoying delicious Mexican food from your own kitchen.
Once you have gained some confidence in cooking this cuisine, you can branch out and try some of the more authentic recipes. Try some Mexican soup, a casserole, or a delicious rice dish. Your family will love this.
Most of us know what fresh chilies look like but what do dried ancho chilies look like? Actually, they are very dark brown, almost black in fact, and wrinkly looking. If you cannot find ancho chilies, you can substitute pasilla, California, New Mexico, or mulato chilies instead because they are all similar.
