Mexican cuisine is renowned for its unique flavors and ingredients, and the traditional cooking techniques used to prepare it are just as varied. From grilling and frying to steaming over an open fire or stove, Mexican cooking is a blend of old-world techniques and modern innovations.
Maize
or corn is the main source of food in Mexican cuisine, along with beans, avocados, chilies, and nopal. Spices and herbs are also important additions to traditional dishes. Frying, roasting, and boiling are the most common cooking methods used in Mexico.However, some dishes require more specialized techniques such as molcajete or steaming in a bucket. Refrito is a misnomer for Mexican refried beans, which actually means 'well-fried beans'. This distinction was first mentioned in Erna Fergusson's Mexican cookbook (193).In the Chinese provinces of Sichuan and Hunan, where many New World foods were established during the time of the Spanish conquistadores, common beans (Phaseolus vulgaris) were a historic component of the Mexican diet. The first book on Mexican and Spanish recipes was published by a group of domestic economists from San Francisco in 1944. Tamales are a popular dish in Mexico, served as party food, Sunday night specials in restaurants, and ceremonial food prepared to honor the dead on All Saints' Day. The main course in Mexican cuisine typically consists of meat served in a cooked sauce with sauce on the side, accompanied by beans and tortillas and often with a fruit drink in some areas.
Many professional chefs are trained in French or international cuisine but prefer to use basic Mexican products and flavors for their dishes. Genetic evidence indicates that maize was domesticated in Mesoamerica and South America. Common bean varieties used in Mexican cuisine include pinto beans and black turtle beans. Mole is an important example of this connection, served for special occasions and holidays, particularly in the southern and central regions of the country. Along the U.
S.-Mexico border, vendors sell foods such as fruits mixed with Tajín spices to people crossing the border. In the purest Mexican style, tamales should be tilted towards your mouth while bending one end with your little finger so that you don't miss any of the sauce. In 1950s Tucson, Arizona, fried burritos were called chimichangas - a term that was considered meaningless at the time. The most likely explanation for the origin of chili con carne in Texas is its combination of Mexican food heritage with life on the Texas border. To the south, South American Indians of the central Andes may have domesticated maize separately at about the same time or it may have traveled from its point of origin. Central Arizona is home to some of the most delicious traditional Mexican dishes around. From tamales to chili con carne to refried beans, there's something for everyone to enjoy.
But what makes these dishes so special? It's all about understanding the unique cooking techniques used to prepare them. The key to making any traditional Mexican dish is understanding how to use ingredients like maize or corn, beans, avocados, chilies, nopal, spices and herbs correctly. Frying, roasting and boiling are all common cooking methods used in Mexico but some dishes require more specialized techniques like molcajete or steaming in a bucket. In addition to understanding how to use ingredients correctly it's also important to understand how they were first introduced into Mexico. For example common beans (Phaseolus vulgaris) were first introduced by Spanish conquistadores during their time in China's Sichuan and Hunan provinces. It's also important to understand how these dishes are traditionally served.
For example tamales are typically served as party food or Sunday night specials while mole is usually served for special occasions or holidays. Finally it's important to understand how these dishes have evolved over time. For example chimichangas were first introduced in 1950s Tucson Arizona while chili con carne has its roots in both Mexican food heritage and life on the Texas border. By understanding these traditional cooking techniques you can create delicious Mexican dishes that will tantalize your taste buds! So if you're looking for an authentic taste of Central Arizona then look no further than traditional Mexican cuisine.
