The Delights of Traditional Mexican Food
Articles - Lifestyle
It is claimed that Mexico has the most vast and varied cuisine in the world, after Chinese, which might be something of a shock to Mexican fast food fiends who thought that burritos and tacos were the only kinds of food Mexicans eat. Every area of Mexico has its own recipes and the Yucatan fare is especially flavorsome, with its Caribbean, Mexican, Mayan and Lebanese recipe influences.
by KCKudra


It is claimed that Mexico has the most vast and varied cuisine in the world, after Chinese, which might be something of a shock to Mexican fast food fiends who thought that burritos and tacos were the only kinds of food Mexicans eat. Every area of Mexico has its own recipes and the Yucatan fare is especially flavorsome, with its Caribbean, Mexican, Mayan and Lebanese recipe influences.

Not all Mexican dishes are spicy but some are. A lot of chili peppers are used in Mexican meals and there are many types of chilies, including serrano, habanero, poblano, jalapeo, pasilla and more. Mexicans enjoy eating meat, fish, poultry, seafood, cheese, vegetables, fruit, and grains. Sauces, soups, and stews are often made in Mexican households and cooking methods include deep-frying, slow roasting and baking.

Mexicans like to eat fresh fruit and vegetables and anything older than two days is not considered fresh. Costly pesticides and herbicides are hardly used and produce is picked when ripe or very nearly ripe. Imported food is usually shunned in favor of locally grown produce and everything is grown nearby. The exception would be Mexico City, where produce that is not likely to be sold is exported.

Favorite Mexican Dishes

Tortillas are so much a Mexican food staple that the price in controlled by the government and kept at five pesos a kilo! A tortilla is a ball of masa, or corn dough, which is flattened into a thin disc. They are traditionally made of corn and supermarkets make them fresh all day. Tortillas are used to make traditional Mexican tacos. Authentic tacos are soft, not like the rigid U-shaped Taco Bell variety.

Tortillas, tacos, and tamales are made from corn. Many stews and soups use beans such as lentils, fava beans, and kidney beans. Tomatoes are used in a lot of recipes, especially salsa recipes.

Fruit is enjoyed fresh or used to make desserts and sauces. Mango, papaya, pineapple, and coconut are all popular with Mexicans and nopales, prickly pear cactus paddles, are sauted and eaten like vegetables. Alternatively, they can be sweetened and used in Mexican dessert recipes.

Salsas and Condiments

A lot of people favor the addition of salsa, lime, or sour cream to their food. In a traditional Mexican restaurant, you will also get small bowls of condiments. These are likely to include chopped onion, cilantro, a mild chili salsa, a hot chili salsa, salsa Mexicana and lime. Salsa Mexicana is made from chopped onion, chopped fresh tomato, cilantro and habanero chili. You might also get guacamole, which is an avocado and lime sauce. Charred green onion mixed with salsa ingles (Worcestershire sauce) and limejuice is another well-liked Mexican condiment.

A lot of Mexican recipes are rich in color and flavor and Mexicans love to cook with fresh produce. Some people might confuse Tex Mex type food and fast food with real Mexican fare but authentic Mexican food cannot be compared to these poor quality imitations and, once you have tasted traditional Mexican recipes, you will understand the joy of Mexican cuisine.

DISCLAIMER: This article is provided as information only and is not to be taken as financial advice.

Many people are under the false impression that all Mexican food is spicy but that couldn't be further from the truth. Mexican flavors range from mild to hot, as with many other cuisines. Whether you want to make a Mexican chicken recipe, soup or even tacos, you control how much chili goes into it.