Viva Mexico!
September 16 celebrates Mexican Independence Day and what better way to celebrate than with authentic Mexican delicacies!
Mexican cuisine combines a variety of ingredients and flavors that blend the country’s rich indigenous history with its Spanish roots. One of the most common foods that originated from Spain and is a staple in Mexican cuisine is the tortilla, referred to as the “Mexican bread.” The tortilla, a name given by the Spaniards back in 1519, is virtually part of every meal of the day — breakfast, lunch, snacking, and dinner. Most people are familiar with both corn and flour tortillas, but the original tortilla was made only from corn, and except in northern Mexico, corn tortillas remain the norm. With its popularity in the U.S., the selection of flavors has also grown. You can find tortillas in tomato, spinach, and jalapeño varieties. Tortillas are also versatile and can be used in several different recipes as main dishes, including traditional tacos, enchiladas, flautas, quesadillas and tortilla soup. The uses for tortillas are endless!
In Mexico, many of the traditional ingredients such as beans, corn, chile peppers, tomatoes, and spices are used regularly in everyday cooking. Yet dishes do vary from region to region. For example, in the northern part of Mexico, the states of Coahuila and Nueva Sonora are known for its quality cattle. Mexicans from this region prefer beef to other meats and grilling as a method of cooking. The coastal regions offer a myriad of options from the sea. In Veracruz, though, fish is the dish of choice. And any fish dish “a la Veracruzana” means it'll be topped with a sauce of tomatoes, olives, capers and chiles.
The state of Puebla in the central region is the site of the historic battle that took place on Cinco de Mayo and is famous for its “mole poblano”, a thick, dark blend of chili peppers and dark bitter chocolate, most commonly poured over chicken and served with Mexican-style rice. Another well-recognized native of Puebla is the poblano pepper, which is ranked as one of the most popular peppers grown in Mexico.
So whether you have a taste for a traditional dish or a regional favorite, Mexican cuisine is rich and filled with an assortment of flavors that can enhance your recipes and spice up your everyday meals.
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