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samedi 22 février 2014

Enjoy Latin Flavor With Authentic Mexican Food Recipes



Few things in this life are quite as boring as bland food. Luckily some national cuisines are based on flavor, flavor and more flavor. This is probably why Latin-American food is so popular. It's tasty, filling and based on fresh and usually very affordable ingredients. If you really want to get a taste for the culture and celebrate Latin fire, you'll need some authentic Mexican food recipes.

Its location on either side of the Tropic of Cancer means that Mexico has many different climate regions. For example, in the south the climate is tropical while in the north it is temperate and large parts are desert. Add to this the fact that there are huge differences in elevation which also affects local climates and you'll find incredible biodiversity in the country. Some of the most popular foods around the world, including corn, tomatoes, chocolate and avocados, originally came from Mexico.

With its diversity, Mexico also has a varied cuisine. There are many specialties typical of certain regions. However, the staple ingredients used almost anywhere in the country include beans, corn, squashes and chili peppers, with herbs and spices for extra flavor.

Instead of bread, Mexicans usually eat tortillas as their main form of starch. These flat discs are usually made from ground corn and are shaped by hand. You can cheat by using a tortilla press, however. In Mexico, tortillas are part of every meal and can be served as an accompaniment or as part of the main dish, with fillings or with toppings. In the north it is quite common to make tortillas from wheat flour instead of corn.

If you really want to show off, you need to learn how to make at least one type of 'mole'. These sauces are more common in the southern and central parts of the country and are often eaten on special occasions like fiestas. The one ingredient that all 'moles' contain is chili pepper and the most famous type is 'mole poblano', a chili-and-chocolate sauce that goes particularly well with turkey.

For an informal meal, you might want to opt for dishes that are usually served as street food. Tacos are tasty and easy to make and in Mexico are most often served with soft tortillas. If you can find corn leaves, tamales are a good option too. Fill some bread rolls with pork and refried beans to make 'tortas'. Otherwise, use beans and cheese as filling and pop the rolls under the grill for 'molletes'.

Tequila is probably the most famous drink from Mexico. If you prefer to prepare something non-alcoholic, though, the rice drink known s 'horchata' is perfect for a hot day. 'Cafe de olla' is coffee brewed with cinnamon while a fantastic drink for cold nights is hot chocolate prepared the Mexican way, with hot water rather than hot milk.

The chili con carne, nachos, fajitas and burritos that you often find in Mexican restaurants are not authentic at all. These dishes were created in the USA. It's more correct to call them Tex-Mex cuisine.

If you're looking for authentic Mexican food recipes, your best bet is to go to Mexico. A great holiday activity is to enroll in a cooking course where you can learn how to make the dishes just like they're supposed to be made. However, you may also find recipes in cook books and websites dedicated to the country's cuisine.

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