Viva Mexican Cuisine!
Considered a rich and varied
cuisine, Mexican cuisine is the result of a fusion of Aztec and
Spanish cultures. Imagine the richness of the flavours. Find out
more on this exquisite cuisine!
A meal in Mexico is considered an endless celebration. Five
meals are served throughout the day.
- Desayuno: light breakfast where coffee or chocolate and bread rolls are served very early in the morning.
- Almuerzo: a more substantial breakfast served late in the morning.
- Comida: the most important meal of the day, served around 1 PM and followed by the traditional siesta!
- Merienda: a light snack consisting of sweet rolls, appetizers and chocolate that is served around 6 PM. It can often replace supper.
- Cena: often consisting of soup and fruit, la cena is served around 9 PM. The meal can be somewhat more substantial on holidays or evenings out at the restaurant.
Mexicans are chocolate lovers!
Mexicans drink their
chocolate hot during el desayuno. Visit our website, for a few
recipe ideas using
chocolate!
Happiness is … soup
Meals often start with homemade soup (gazpacho, chicken soup,
fish soup). Distinct and varied, soups are served with a wedge of
orange, lemon or lime, a pinch of fresh coriander and hot pepper
flakes.
Daily rice
Rice is part of the Mexican daily diet. It is most often
cooked in the cooking liquid of the meats.
The southern climate: the freshness of the
fruits
Because of their wide availability, fresh fruits figure
prominently in cuisines from most southern countries. Oranges,
pineapples, strawberries, watermelons, mangos, peaches, nectarines,
bananas, are eaten as is or cooked in desserts featuring, of
course, chocolate!
Tex-Mex Cuisine
Tex-Mex cuisine is a combination of Mexican and American
cuisines. It was created by Mexican immigrants to Texas who adapted
their cuisine to American products and dietary habits. Though
internationally acclaimed as Mexican, some of these specialties are
actually Texan: Cheddar cheese
and chili con
carne for instance! Very few vegetables, fruits or fish
are used as ingredients in Tex-Mex cuisine.
Mexican cuisine features several basic ingredients:
- Tortillas: Eaten throughout Mexico, tortillas taste terrific but also serve as wrapping for foods. In the northern part of the country, wheat flour is used to make tortillas while corn flower is used in Southern Mexico.
- Beans: Beans can be found simmering in pots in homes and bars throughout the country. Served with tortillas, red, black or pinto beans (pink spotted with violet) can serve as a snack at any time of the day.
- Peppers: Over a hundred varieties of peppers are found in Mexico. Each with its unique flavour, colour and texture, they are eaten raw, cooked, dried, sliced, puréed, powdered, stuffed, fried or in salsa at every meal.
- Condiments: cinnamon, cloves, black pepper, cocoa powder, cumin, marjoram, oregano, mint, coriander (included in almost all recipes!). Grilled onions and garlic are mashed and used as basic ingredients in many sauces. Lemon and lime accompany soups, meats and fish to perfection.
Mexican cuisine is not always as hot as we may think. It
consists of mostly mild ingredients with a meat, poultry, fish or
vegetable base. It’s when it gets to the table and the
salsas, sauces, peppers and spices are added that the dish really
heats up.
Some traditional Mexican dishes:
Guacamole :
avocado purée seasoned with lemon, onions, tomato and
coriander. This recipe has really travelled well!
Fajitas: tortillas stuffed with 8-10cm. long
strips of meat, poultry accompanied by vegetables marinated in
lemon and spices. In many restaurants, you combine the ingredients
and roll the fajitas yourself!
Tacos: tortillas filled with meat or fish and
garnished with beans, cheese and guacamole. Tacos are served folded
in two and eaten like a sandwich.
Burritos :
grilled tortillas folded and stuffed like fajitas.
Enchiladas :
made like fajitas but rolled and covered with sauce before being
placed in the oven to cook for several minutes.
Tostadas: served as an entrée. They are tortillas fried
in oil and topped with meat or fish.
Mole poplano: The national dish of Mexico! It
is a chicken or turkey stew flavoured with spices and
chocolate.
Ceviche: one of the many ways to prepare
fish. Often served as an entrée, the fish is marinated in
green lemon juice and eaten almost raw.
Salsa :
provides flavour and originality to the simplest of dishes.
Time to get cooking!
You will find excellent Mexican
recipes at metro.ca:
There are also a number of recipes using tortillas.
Now turn on the Mariachi music, take out your sombrero, serve
some beer and Tequila, accompany that with nachos and guacamole and
you have the main ingredients for a
memorable Mexican Fiesta!
Savour the incredible taste of Mexican cuisine. You will find
everything you need (meats, vegetables, spices, fresh herbs, etc.)
at your Metro supermarket!
Other new articles to read on Mexican specialties