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A Guide to Mexican Food
This authentic cuisine offers something for everyone - classic dishes as well as new modern classics. It has roots around the world. Known for intense flavors, colorful presentation, unique spicing, and seasoning, Mexican cuisine delivers authentic recipes you are sure to love. Home chefs can re-create genuine textures and flavors of these authentic dishes in their own kitchens with the right techniques and easy to prepare recipes.
Authentic Dishes
This food varies from region to region in Mexico - a result of the different climates, local ingredients, and techniques learned over the centuries. These recipes also vary because of the many different influences from the Mayan and Aztec Indians to the French and Spanish settlers of years gone by. The most traditional of these recipes are a blend of these different groups, their cooking techniques, different spices, and ingredients of the old and new world flavors combined.
Traditional Dishes
Tomatoes and chilies, along with garlic and onion are very popular flavorings in this cuisine and are meld into many traditional recipes. You will find these ingredients as a foundation in most main dishes. Popular Mexican dishes include salsas, quesadillas, tacos, enchiladas, burritos, fajitas, tostadas, and guacamole. Traditional meals are often paired with rice, beans, and fresh tortillas; they contain many fresh vegetables, and are one of the healthiest of the world's cuisines.
Easy Recipes for Everyone
MexicanFoodRecipes.org is a comprehensive collection of authentic and traditional recipes that are packed with flavor, fresh ingredients and a world of marvelous tastes. Enjoy the cuisine of Mexico with our collection of easy recipes. Bookmark our site and return often for that South of the Border experience and taste!
Bon Appétit, and thanks for visiting,
Christine and the Rest of the Team
Cinco de Mayo Food
Featured Recipe:
The Best Chicken Enchiladas Recipe
This is a traditional chicken enchilada recipe and, in Mexico, chicken enchiladas are much loved as a food. This recipe unlike many is not smothered in the familiar tomato-based sauce like most enchilada recipes instead; it uses butter, broth, and sour cream to form the sauce for this dish.
Chicken is often featured in Mexican cooking and is especial popular as an enchilada filling. The other ingredients combine to give you an absolutely unique chicken enchiladas recipe your whole family will love. If your family loves Mexican food and who does not then this recipe may be for you.
Traditional Chicken Enchiladas Recipe
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)
Photo Description:
A Picture of a traditional recipe for making fresh homemade chicken enchiladas you can make with your ingredients and our traditional chicken enchilada recipe and is a favorite of many families. Nothing goes quite as well on a warm summer night's dinner as hot homemade chicken enchiladas do. Accompanied by a fresh garden salad, you have the makings for a wonderful and healthy family dinner.
An Introduction to Mexican Food
This is one of those cuisines that many people eat occasionally and think about rarely, which is unfortunate because it is such an exciting style of cuisine. Mexican foods such as chili con carne, tortilla chips and margaritas are known around the globe but there is so much more to it than Tex Mex variations and Taco Bell fare. What is more, this is a great type of cuisine to make at home yourself.
Healthy Eating
A lot of food from Mexico is low in calories and fat, but high in vitamins and minerals. You might be wondering about the menu at Taco Bell but remember that a lot of fats have been added to these recipes. Traditional dishes, as opposed to fast food outlets' interpretations of it, contain plenty of nutrients. Peppers, onions, tomatoes, and corn are all very healthy and these ingredients are found in a lot of true south of the border meals.
Do not be put off by what you might think of as calorie-laden food because, in truth, very few traditional recipes from Mexico are high in fat or calories. Some people think that all Chinese food is high in fat and sugar but traditional Chinese food is made primarily with meat, poultry, vegetables, and the high fat versions are meals that have been adapted for westernized tastes. This is exactly the case with a lot of Mexican foods.
Traditional recipes were made with whatever was available and the Mayans and Aztecs used ingredients such as vanilla, chocolate, chili peppers, avocado, fish, beans, peanuts, tomato, and turkey. The conquistadors introduced new foods such as beef, pork, garlic, onions, chicken, wine, and many dishes today feature these ingredients. Corn and rice are also popular in authentic meals.
A lot of recipes from the Vera Cruz and Yucatan regions have a Caribbean influence. There are also a lot of seafood recipes originating from Vera Cruz because of its geography. Other regions have French or Spanish inspired recipes because of the settlers. Meat dishes are plentiful in the North. Vegetables and chicken are more popular in the south.
The Best Loved Meals
Enchiladas are one of the best-known Mexican recipes but these are not especially kind to the waistline because they are quite high in fat. Arroz con pollo is a dish you might have tried. The main ingredients are chicken and rice and it is very tasty. Tacos are delicious too. These are maize or wheat tortillas and can be filled with pretty much anything, making them an exciting alternative to a sandwich.
Salsas are sauces, which are made with raw ingredients and can be chopped, chunky, or smooth in consistency. Big, juicy red tomatoes, chipotle, tomatillo, and avocado are popular salsa ingredients and have been used for many centuries. Salsas, chutneys, and relishes can brighten up any dish and they are easy to make yourself.
When making these foods, you should use fresh ingredients for the best flavor and use toppings to complement the recipe rather than overwhelm it. With experience, you can become good at finding just the right combination of herbs, spices, nuts, and chili to make your recipes light and aromatic.
Traditionally this food is flavorful and comforting, and there are literally hundreds of different meals to make at home if you want to experience the flavor of Mexico for yourself
Inside Mexican Food Recipes
Traditional Recipes
Favorite Traditional Recipes - Quesadillas, tacos, chalupas, and chimichangas are amongst many people's favorite traditional recipes and these dishes are wonderfully simple to make. Whether you are a diehard carnivore, a fish fanatic, or a vegetarian, there are traditional south if the border recipes, which will suit you down to the ground, combining wonderful ingredients for a mouthwatering meal.../p>
Authentic Recipes
Exciting Authentic Recipes - Burritos, enchiladas, and tortillas are the kind of food you might be familiar with but there is a world of difference between take out and homemade fare. If you love flavors such as tomato, melted cheese, ground beef, and garlic, these authentic recipes will definitely delight you..
Easy Recipes
Delightfully Easy Recipes - Very few recipes from Mexico are complicated and this collection of easy recipes is ideal for the novice cook or anyone without a lot of time on their hands. Many of our recipes call for just a few ingredients and some can be made from scratch in as little as ten minutes..
Mexican Food Recipe
The Best and Tastiest Ideas - sadly this cuisine is woefully misunderstood and many people think of hot, spicy Tex Mex fare when Mexican food is so different. The only way to really fall in love with it is to lovingly create your own dishes and understand how the flavors mingle and combine perfectly...
Fajitas
Mouthwatering Fajitas - Whether you prefer meat, fish, or strictly vegetarian food, fajitas are the perfect dish to indulge your senses. Overlooking the fact that fajitas are technically a Tex Mex food, they remain one of the most popular dishes on restaurant menus, and they are a breeze to rustle up yourself...
Easy Casseroles
Quick and Easy Casseroles - If you are in a rush you will find that easy casseroles are quick to make and they really fill you up. Casseroles contain such delicious ingredients as tortillas, cheese, ground beef, onion, carrot and plenty more. Some casserole recipes are mild and aromatic and others are spicy and full of heat...
Salad
Crisp and Interesting Salad - A lot of people are unaware than salad even exists but not all Mexican foods are fiery hot and served in a tortilla wrap. Salads often contain favorite ingredients such as lettuce, tomatoes, cheese, beef, garlic, avocado and more. Salad is the perfect lunch when the weather is hot...
Soup - Chili Recipes
Tantalizing Soup and Chili Recipes - You might have never heard of soup recipes from Mexico before but such soups are rich in flavor and hearty enough to be filling and satisfying. Chicken and corn are popular soup ingredients and these soups are simple to make and ideal for the whole family to enjoy as an appetizer or lunch...
Salsa Recipes
Salsa Recipes - Tomato salsa recipes are well known but what about fruity salsas to complement fish dishes such as shrimp chalupas? Salsa comes in many different wonderful varieties including pineapple salsa, peach salsa, mango salsa and there are many different tomato salsa recipes varying in intensity...
Vegetarian Recipes
The Best Vegetarian Recipes - The Best Vegetarian Recipes - From vegetarian fajitas with a chipotle cream sauce to vegetarian chili, you will love our easy vegetarian recipes. A lot of this food contains a well-balanced combination of herbs and spices and a lot of vegetables go very nicely with such flavors. You can always substitute vegetarian mince for ground beef in your dishes as another option...
Food Articles
Informative Food Articles and Cooking Tips - Mexican food is in many ways a hidden delight. A lot of people know very little about the most authentic recipes and traditional foods although Mexico has a long and fascinating history. The food history is particularly exciting as it changes and evolves with every new band of settlers bringing their own fare and using it to add sparkle to the existing south of the border diet. The local food is like no other cuisine and the subtle range of fare from the enticing and aromatic to the hot, bold and fiery means it is never dull. Our food articles are full of handy cooking tips and food suggestions..
Five Reasons to Make Your Own Mexican Meals
1. The Recipes are So Eas
There is nothing hard or mysterious about making this kind of food and there are even quick and easy meal ideas which you can put together in ten or fifteen minutes. Some dishes might need to be slow cooked but there are others, which are perfect for a quick lunch.
2. Cooking at Home is Economical and Convenient
Making these meals at home means that you do not have to drive across town to a restaurant or takeout. It is also much more economical. A lot of the recipes are based on fresh produce, herbs, and spices and if you use seasonal produce, you will not be spending much but you can still make delicious and authentic food.
3. There are Hundreds of Recipes to Make
Mexico is such a huge country and the cuisine is incredibly varied. Whether you are a fan of fish, a meat lover, a vegetarian, or somebody who likes trying all kinds of new and exciting dishes, there is a dish for everybody. You will never get bored with this kind of food because there are so many recipes to try.
4. You Control the Ingredients
Controlling the ingredients means that not only do you get to choose exactly what goes into your meal but you also get to choose how spicy it is. If you really do not like spicy food, you can use aromatic herbs like cilantro or perhaps some mild chili powder for a hint of spice. If you like it hot, you can try some of the most famous chili peppers in your meals.
5. Impress Your Family
If you usually serve up the same fried chicken, lasagna and meatloaf dishes every week, why not make Mexican food to impress your family tonight? Just imagine how thrilled they will be!
Try These Delicious Recipes
Here is just a sampling of our delicious meals and you'll find plenty more inside the site.
Sweet Potato and Black Bean Burritos
Grilled Beef Fajitas with a Green Yogurt Sauce
The Regional Fare of the Many Mexican Regions
Mexican foods and recipes change by geographic region, it all depends on each region's physical landscape and climate, along with its cultural differences. The food well-liked in the south of Mexico comprises an abundance of chicken, vegetables and fruit, while in the north of Mexico food features a lot of animal protein. In the state of Vera Cruz, many of the authentic and traditional dishes include seafood.
Vera Cruz is a tropical region that spans a long narrow strip of lowlands and runs up along the Gulf of Mexico, which translates into a lot of fish and shellfish such as grouper, red snapper, mojarra and snook are commonly, on hand plus others like shrimp and other crustaceans. In this region, Mojarra is especially prized. Other seafood like crab, oysters, and lobsters are plentiful too.
In addition to the marine area, Vera Cruz also has over forty rivers and streams that run through it. Vera Cruz has a never-ending quantity of freshwater fish and shellfish. Food is made in a manor that reproduces exceptional meals that are completely unique to the state and nowhere else. The influence of the sea produces and adds to the taste of recipes like no other area.
You can find out a lot of history and details regarding this cuisine by discovering the diverse differences in the many different states. Trying new recipes will give you a taste as to why they vary. With a culture rich in history, it is always nice to learn about how the foods came about and how they are in our time. Once you are informed about the dishes, it makes it even more pleasurable when cooking and eating them in your own home.
Mexican States and Food Regions
Photo Description:
A picture of the many different states and regions of Mexico. This is a very varied climatic country from deep jungle to arid desert from seaside to mountainous landscapes. This offers a wide verity in fresh food supply and a culinary smorgasbord of tasty delights you will love exploring. Each region has its own specialty and these differ as much as the beautiful landscape of this divers country. It would take numerous trips just begin to discover these taste sensations. We have tried to bring this to life in the pages of this website through many articles and the vast array of recipes.
Wishing All a Happy Cinco de Mayo
We would like to wish all our friends South of the Border a Happy Cinco de Mayo and to each of you no matter which side your on a great holiday that is a celebrated in the US as in Mexico. Why, it is just a great day to take in the wonderful food of our neighbor.
Christine and all of us here
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The History of Mexican Food and its Rise in Popularity
People wareole is cuisine are often interested in the origins of this delicious fare, with its variety and intensity of flavors. Authentic Mexican food is thought to have been derived from Mayan Indians, who were hunters and gatherers. A common dish was corn tortillas with bean paste. Tropical fruits, wild game, and fish were also enjoyed in the early days of this country's culinary history. In the mid 1300s, honey, salt, chocolate, and chili peppers were introduced also.
When Spain invaded Mexico in the sixteenth century, new livestock such as cows, sheep, and pigs were introduced, as were garlic, various herbs and spices, wheat and dairy products. Other influences also played a part on the development of the traditional diet, including South American, West African, French, Portuguese, and Caribbean cuisines. A lot of traditional meals include beans and rice as ingredients.
Learn More About>> Mexican Food History
Find additional "Mexican Food" on our index page or just look through our categories to find that perfect treat for your dinner tonight.
Why This Food is Wonderfully Unique
Why is this food so popular all over the world? Perhaps it is the way in which meat; vegetables and spices are so cleverly combined to result in delicious yet healthy meals. Alternatively, maybe it is because it is so inimitable and no other cuisine quite compares.
Many people find that heavy Mexican foods such as tacos and burritos come to mind first and these are traditional recipes from Northern Mexico. However, recipes vary throughout the country and include Mayan, Aztec, Spanish, Caribbean and French influences. The way the food originates in one area is a reflection of the cultural, religious, and historical orientation, as well as the natural resources. Authentic recipes are very different to the inferior, high fat Tex Mex offerings found in fast food chains.
Staple ingredients include meat such as chicken or beef, fish and seafood, vegetables such as onions, garlic, tomatoes and beans and spices like cayenne pepper, chili pepper and many more. Corn, sour cream, and cheese are also widely used in traditional food. The desserts are also very special and there are hundreds of types of cakes, puddings, and cookies to choose from. If you have not tasted real Mexican food, you are in for a treat when you try it out!
Cooking Tips for Perfect Mexican Recipes
They do say that practice makes perfect and this is also the case when you are making these recipes. A basic knowledge of cooking does help and here are some handy tips to ensure your homemade food comes out great time after time. Find More Cooking Tips on our Cooking Tips page. In addition, you can find other helpful info in the article section on ways to simplify your cooking experience.
Fun and Hearty Cinco de Mayo Food
Cinco de Mayo, which is Spanish for May 5, is a regional holiday in Mexico. The holiday is held in commemoration of the initial Mexican victory over the French in the Battle of Puebla on May 5, 1862. This date is observed at various locations around the globe including the United States as a celebration of Mexican pride and heritage.
Cinco de Mayo Celebrations
The celebrations include mariachi music, parades, folk dancing and, of course, Cinco de Mayo food. The food for Cinco de Mayo varies between different families and regions of Mexico and there is no set traditional Cinco de Mayo food as such.
Popular dishes served at a Cinco de Mayo celebration might include tortilla soup, green chili beef stew, guacamole, black bean salsa, fish tacos with a Baja sauce, chicken or beef fajitas and enchiladas.
Well Loved Holiday Recipes
A lot of Mexicans like to combine native Aztec recipes with the food introduced by the settlers and Spanish conquistadors. The food will be served with vegetables and salsas and will be colorfully presented. Traditional dishes, which might make an appearance at a Cinco de Mayo meal, include enchiladas, guacamole, mole poblano, and chilaquiles.
There is a massive variety of food available in Mexico and each region has its own dishes. Mexico does not have its own real official dish. One food, which is common throughout the nation, is the corn tortilla. Corn is still a staple in Mexico, even as flour becomes more popular and corn is grown there too. Corn tortillas are baked fresh every day in stores and food stands.
Traditional Cinco de Mayo Food
Chicken, beef and pork are mainstays all over the nation, although fish is popular along the long Caribbean and Pacific coasts. You will find many kinds of vegetables available including traditional beans. These are often served with rice.
There are said to be more than sixty types of chili pepper including the very hot habanero, which is common in the south. Not all recipes are spicy, contrary to popular belief. Some are very hot, some are mildly spicy, and others are aromatic without being hot at all. Salsas are very popular too and complement many different dishes.
Drink is also a big part of the festivities and tequila can be drunk alone as a shot or used to make a deliciously refreshing pitcher of margarita. Kahlua, which is a coffee-based liqueur is also very flavorful and can be drunk with ice, cola or cream. If you fancy something more simple, you can try a local beer such as Corona or Sol.
Cinco de Mayo is all about celebrating in general rather than being limited to any particular traditional Cinco de Mayo food, so each household will prepare their favorite foods to make one big, colorful feast for the whole family to enjoy.
Eating, drinking, dancing and partying is what Cinco de Mayo is all about in modern Mexico and it is a time to enjoy life and celebrate with the tastiest traditional local recipes and remember what the holiday is commemorating.
How Do People Celebrate Mexican Independence Day?
If you are curious about how people celebrate this occasion, you are not alone. Many people are interested in the celebrations and especially the delicious recipes, which are made with gusto every September especially for this fiesta.
Mexican Independence Day is when Mexicans celebrate their independence from Spanish rule and this falls on September 16.
Mexican Independence Day History
American was "discovered" by Christopher Columbus and the Spanish carried out many expeditions to find gold and other riches from the Americas afterwards. Five hundred Spanish soldiers arrived in the early sixteenth century and aimed their attacks towards to Aztecs. The indigenous population took the Spanish side against the Aztec empire.
The final Aztec emperor was captured in 1521 and the indigenous people actually fell from one oppressor to another. The conquering Spaniards brought epidemics previously unknown to the Americas and the indigenous people were treated as second-class citizens by the Spaniards.
They chose the nineteenth century to seek their revenge, coinciding with Napoleon's invasion of Spain and they began a revolt in 1810. Father Hidalgo rang the bell of his small church in the early hours of September 16, 1810, and this was the start of the Mexican War of Independence, which raged for ten years.
These facts about Mexican Independence Day are what every proud national knows when he or she celebrates the victory with parties, food, drink and other festivities.
Mexican Independence Day Celebrations
Almost every house, building, car, and street in Mexico is decorated for their Independence Day and there are vendors selling balloons, sombreros, flags, and shuttlecocks in the national colors.
Men, women, and children walk around the town in traditional national dress or at least wearing the Mexican colors.
There is live Mariachi music and there are photography stands where you can have your photo taken wearing a sombrero and sitting on a wooden horse.
The atmosphere at a Mexican Independence Day celebration is electrifying and the Mexicans like to yell, shout, and make as much noise as they can. The plaza of each town fills up as the evening progresses and a government official arrives at 11PM on September 15, to give the cry of independence.
The President gives the cry of independence in the plaza on top of the national palace and the crowd joins in, shouting out the names of the Independence Day heroes and ending with the yell of "viva Mexico!" Finally, the sky is lit up with rockets and fireworks.
Typical Dishes for Mexican Independence Day
Food is very important in all local celebrations and there are some special kinds of recipes associated with Mexican Independence Day in particular.
There are antojitos for sale from food stands all over the country and these tasty morsels are finger foods. Punch, known as ponche, is a popular fruity drink made with guavas, sugarcane, apples, and raisins. Local candies are equally popular at this time.
You will find traditional recipes like chiles en nogada, mole poblano, and guacamole served at restaurants in Mexico during the Independence Day celebrations and throughout September.
So the answer to the question how do people celebrate Mexican Independence Day is to enjoy their food and drink, especially traditional foods and the most authentic recipes, dance to music, dress up in the national costumes and have as much fun as they possibly can.
Traditional Fiesta Food Ideas
Mexicans love loud, vibrant fiestas and they love good food. In Mexico, a fiesta is an excuse to make all the best eatables and engross yourself in the culture, music, celebrations, eating and drinking. Local fiestas are a time to indulge all your senses and immerse yourself in a convivial atmosphere with friends and family.
If you are looking for snack ideas for a fiesta, how about making some traditional empanadas? These little snacks can be filled with spiced beef, chicken, cheese and beans or anything else you fancy. They are great finger food.
Buffet Food for a Fiesta
Perhaps you are having a buffet, in which case you can make a big Mexican style paella for everyone to help themselves to, or a pot of chili con carne. You can bake some cornbread to go with it. Salad recipes are great at fiesta time too. What about a traditional seven layer salad or a mixed bean salad?
Homemade salsa and guacamole always go down well too and tortilla chips and corn chips are great for dipping. If you make some fajitas or tacos, you can lay out the different ingredients, like chicken, beef, salad, cheese, salsa and more, and let people assemble their own. This is fun for them and timesaving for you!
These are just a few recipe ideas for a Cinco de Mayo party or another fiesta. There are hundreds of other dishes to choose from too.
Webmaster's Notes:
On a bright side we are working on another site update coming in time for this Independence day including our much over due vegetarian Mexican Recipes section has now been launched and we have made large additions of recipes for this past Cinco de Mayo and continue to get ready for the next holiday with even more recipes including a much expanded salsa section. We are also please to announce the launch of our totally CSS designed site that is full of all kinds of new stuff. We have also moved the article section to its own index page and all this should mean a faster loading site for you. Over the month leading up to Independence day we should have new content being added regularly.
Thanks for your continued support we appreciate all our loyal visitors. If you like the new layout and features, why not lend us a hand and add us to your favorite social bookmarking site. This helps us spread the word about our site and keep more resources going into new content and more great Mexican recipes and articles.
Thanks,
CMSK