The foundation of Mexican traditional food is corn, beans and chilies. Native ingredients like varieties of tomatoes, squashes, avocados and cocoa augment these staple foods. The cuisine also utilizes unique farming methods such as the milpas and chinampas (man-made farms on lakes) and cooking processes like nixtamalization, which involves cooking corn in lime water to make masa flour. Indigenous cooking techniques include frying, boiling and grilling. They do not use ovens, but instead rely on the molcajete, which is a rock bowl that is used for steaming and charring meat in the same way that one would use an open fire pit.
The main dishes in mexican cuisine are soups and stews. A classic example is pozole, which is a flavor packed bowl of tender pork or chicken, hominy and shredded cabbage and radishes in homemade red chili sauce. It is a hearty meal that is perfect for cold days or to warm the body after working in the fields.
Tacos are another common staple in Mexican dishes. Tortillas are often made of a corn kernel and can be eaten on their own or filled with different vegetables, protein and spices. Tortillas are also served with the famous guacamole, which is mashed avocado, fresh cilantro and lime juice mixed together.
Quesadillas are similar to tortillas, but are typically flat and stuffed with a variety of fillings. The filling can be melted cheese, chicken, chorizo or vegetarian options like nopales or huitlacoche, which is a mushroom that grows on cactus pads and has a very distinct flavor. Alternatively, gorditas can be served, which are similar to quesadillas but they’re thicker and are deep-fried before being grilled together with the filling of your choice.
Other traditional Mexican dishes include ceviche, a refreshing dish that features raw fish marinated in a blend of onions, cilantro, lemon, chilies and other spices and then served with a slice of pineapple on top. It’s a popular dish throughout Latin America and a refreshing way to start the day.
Authentic mexican food is infused with natural herbs and spices, which are essential to any good mexican dish. The choice of using fresh or dried herbs and spices depends on the recipe and the cook’s personal preference. Fresh herbs are more subtle in flavor and work well for adding finishing touches to a dish. Dried herbs are more intense in flavor and are ideal for recipes that require longer cooking times. Using both is ideal to get the best combination of flavors in your Mexican recipes. The key is to always taste your food as you add ingredients to see how they are blending together. Once you find a balance of flavor that works for you, your homemade Mexican dishes will be irresistible!