Food has enjoyed a long and varied history in Mexico. This diverse history is rich in influences that are now enjoyed all over in many countries. True Mexican cuisine is a fabulous blending of fresh foods that are lovingly made from scratch. It is delicious and finds new followers everywhere.
Mexican cuisine is a fusion of Mayan, Aztec and Spanish influences. The French even pitched in a bit. Mexican cuisine enjoys a reputation for spicy foods, but not all of their dishes are hot. Depending on the part of Mexico the recipe is from it may rely more on seafood or beans than peppers.
When Cortez and his Conquistadors arrived in Mexico in 1521 from Spain, they found many different foods that they had never heard of before. Avocados, squash, chocolate, peanuts, beans, corn, vanilla, coconuts, and tomatoes were all new taste sensations to them. They also shared their bounty from Spain. Pork, lamb, beef, garlic, cheese, milk, wine, vinegar, and citrus fruits were all new to the native Mexicans. They lost no time in assimilating these new foods into their cuisine, blending them seamlessly with their staples into new recipes.
Every cuisine has a foundation of ingredients. In Mexico, it was squash, corn, and beans. Each region then added their specialties to this foundation. In the Yucatan Peninsula, seafood was the primary addition along with fruit-based sauces. In northern Mexico, the meat was almost always grilled over an open charcoal fire. Oaxaca is thought to be the place corn was first domesticated. Even today, there are many varieties of corn grown in this area that can be found nowhere else. Chiles are another staple in this area. They make seven different varieties of mole sauce in Oaxaca.
In Veracruz and its area, most recipes contain fresh fish. Fish is found in tamales, tacos, burritos and more due to the abundance of this ingredient. They also use a lot of olives, chili peppers, and tomatoes in this area. True Mexican food is very different from what you get in the United States.
The Mexican food we eat in the United States is really Tex-Mex food. In Mexico, it would be very rare to be served both rice and beans in the same course, or even the same meal. In the US, it is common to have them served together on the same plate. Salad is not a usual dish in Mexico, either. All of this is influenced from the US.
You can easily find traditional Mexican recipes in books or online, but do not expect them to be like what you eat at Mexican restaurants. Authentic Mexican cuisine is a delicious tradition you should try. Maybe you can try some of the regional recipes that use fresh ingredients like seafood or fruit. They are really amazing.
Sitting down to a Mexican meal does not necessarily mean tacos and enchiladas, but this certainly is a wonderful way to enjoy it. The real cuisine of Mexico is rich and full of flavor. Enjoy some at your own table and see all it has to offer. You will be very surprised.
If you are going to try making some delicious enchiladas, tamales, tacos or another kind of Mexican food, it is always useful to have some handy cooking tips under your belt. Good cooking tips save you time and help to ensure that your homemade fare comes out cooked perfectly.
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