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 the result of Spanish, Mayan and Aztec influences. Add in a dash of French and you have today's Mexican cuisine. Although it has a reputation for being spicy, not all Mexican dishes are hot. Some are creamy and sweet. Depending on the area of Mexico a recipe is from, the food could be based more on beans, fruit, or seafood.
Cortez arrived in Mexico from Spain in 1521. He and his group discovered many new foods in the New World that they had never tasted before such as squash, vanilla, peanuts, avocados, chocolate, tomatoes, corn, beans, and coconuts. They shared what they had brought from Europe. The beef, cheese, lamb, pork, garlic, wine, milk, vinegar, and citrus fruits were quickly assimilated into Mexican cuisine and have long since become a major part of their diet.
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.
Veracruz and its surroundings have most recipes built on fish. Tacos, tamales and everything else is made with the abundance of fresh fish to be found in this area. Other common ingredients on the menu in this region include tomatoes, chilies, and olives. True Mexican food is nothing like what you may experience in the United States.
What we eat in the United States tends to be a fusion known as Tex-Mex food. For example, in Mexico it would be extremely rare to get both beans and rice in the same course, let alone the same meal. Here it is commonplace. In addition, salad is hardly ever made in Mexico. This is the influence from the cuisine here in the United States.
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.
Eating Mexican food does not have to mean ground beef tacos and salsa, though that certainly is a way to enjoy it. The cuisine of Mexico is so rich and full of variety that you may be surprised at all, it has to offer. The cuisine of Mexico can be enjoyed at your own table.
Mexican cuisine is the result of Spanish, Mayan and Aztec influences. Add in a dash of French and you have today's Mexican cuisine. Although it has a reputation for being spicy, not all Mexican dishes are hot. Some are creamy and sweet. Depending on the area of Mexico a recipe is from, the food could be based more on beans, fruit, or seafood.
Cortez arrived in Mexico from Spain in 1521. He and his group discovered many new foods in the New World that they had never tasted before such as squash, vanilla, peanuts, avocados, chocolate, tomatoes, corn, beans, and coconuts. They shared what they had brought from Europe. The beef, cheese, lamb, pork, garlic, wine, milk, vinegar, and citrus fruits were quickly assimilated into Mexican cuisine and have long since become a major part of their diet.
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.
Veracruz and its surroundings have most recipes built on fish. Tacos, tamales and everything else is made with the abundance of fresh fish to be found in this area. Other common ingredients on the menu in this region include tomatoes, chilies, and olives. True Mexican food is nothing like what you may experience in the United States.
What we eat in the United States tends to be a fusion known as Tex-Mex food. For example, in Mexico it would be extremely rare to get both beans and rice in the same course, let alone the same meal. Here it is commonplace. In addition, salad is hardly ever made in Mexico. This is the influence from the cuisine here in the United States.
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.
Eating Mexican food does not have to mean ground beef tacos and salsa, though that certainly is a way to enjoy it. The cuisine of Mexico is so rich and full of variety that you may be surprised at all, it has to offer. The cuisine of Mexico can be enjoyed at your own table.
About the Author:
Not every country can claim fame for its cuisine but there are quite a few famous Mexican foods which are known all over the globe, including tacos, tamales, fajitas and many more. Mexican cuisine is exciting and unique and it is easy to fall in love with this magical food.
No comments:
Post a Comment