The Ins and Outs of Authentic Mexican Food

In spite of how it might be advertised, the truth is… that not everything served with a side of cheese dip is authentic Mexican food! Mexico is a diverse country with distinct regional flavours and a history of wonderful, flavourful, and varied cuisine.

Before the Spanish landed in ships on Mexican soil, the native people enjoyed many staples of Mexican cuisine today, such as corn, tomatoes, beans, squash, peppers, poultry and fish.  However, the Spanish are not to be left out of the food of Mexico… because the garlic, onion, wheat, chicken and rice that arrived from the Spanish table to the Mexican one is now a very integral part of the food of Mexico. The introduction of these ingredients and other items broadened the food of native people. Foods that have been prepared in Mexico for fifty years or more are thought to be truly incorporated into the cuisine of the country and are called authentic.

Classic Mexican Flavours and Foods

Regional Mexican Food. Each region of Mexico has a flavor and style all its own. Northern Mexico epitomizes the use of the flour tortillas with burritos, refried pinto beans and slow roasted beef. The Yucatan Peninsula incorporates foods from the Pacific Rim as well as Mayan ingredients like hard boiled eggs, turkey and honey.

In authentic Mexican food the seasonal availability of ingredients is very important. The Baja California Peninsula enjoys a rich variety of seafood and a long growing season for vegetables. Dishes like the fish taco and Caesar salad are popular here. The Southern region of Mexico uses more chicken in their dishes than other regions. These warmer climates closest to the Equator are the home of corn tortillas at nearly every meal, as well as black beans and plantains.

Mexican Spices. For hundreds of years, Mexicans have also used many of the spices found in Mexican cooking today. Authentic Mexican dishes are cooked using a variety of spices, including: chili powder, cumin and even some cocoa in savoury dishes, like mole poblano.

The Famous Mole. Mole means “concoction” in the original Indian language, and mole poblano is a complex sauce that incorporates raw cocoa, dried chili peppers, ground nuts and spices. Dishes labelled as native to Mexico are those that use and celebrate the ingredients available to Mexicans before the introduction of the Spanish people and foods.

Dishes that claim to be authentic might be true to one or two regions of Mexico, but they are unlikely to be traditional in the whole country. A truly Mexican dish can include native Mexican influences, as with authentic Mexican tamales, or it can include Spanish and even a bit of French influence.  But in general, great –and authentic– Mexican will always reflect bold flavours and a tendency toward heavily spiced dishes.

Americanized Mexican Food

The foods that are often served in American restaurants as authentic are only the beginning of Mexican cuisine. Most authentic dishes were created at home by the Mexican people and have a flair for layers of complex flavour in each dish and simple preparation. Often restaurants modify very traditional dishes to fit an American taste, which tends to like sweeter flavours over spicy ones. The Mexican government takes its food seriously, though, and has even set up educational programs and business associations to encourage a more authentic version of Mexican cuisine in their northern neighbour, the United States.

The whole of authentic Mexican food is too big to be put on just one plate!

Tagged with: Mexican cuisine • Mexico

Filed under: cooking tips • garden recipes

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