Contrasting flavors: Characteristics of Mexican cuisine
First, let’s note that traditional Mexican cuisine was inscribed in 2010 on the UNESCO Representative List of the Intangible Cultural Heritage of Humanity due to its “…comprehensive cultural model comprising farming, ritual practices, age-old skills, culinary techniques and ancestral community customs and manners.” The entry goes on to state that traditional Mexican cuisine is “made possible by collective participation in the entire traditional food chain: from planting and harvesting to cooking and eating…”
Mexican cuisine highlights the deeply ingrained flavors derived from the region’s grains and cereals, vegetables and fruits, and cattle and other livestock. While dishes around the country vary by region, much of Mexican cuisine is built around corn, beans and chili peppers. The tortilla, the national bread of Mexico, is made with corn and wheat flour; avocados, red onions and tomatoes are prominent, as is cilantro. Corn-based items are widely consumed throughout the country, with seafood, unsurprisingly, especially popular around the coast. The north of the country is renowned for its cattle, goat and ostrich production.
Sauces used in Mexican cuisine
Many of the sauces deployed in Mexican dishes have gained acclaim around the world in their original form, such as salsa – a piquant blend of tomatoes, jalapeño peppers, onions, garlic, lemon juice and cilantro in its most well-known incarnation; guacamole, a delicious paste made from mashed avocados, lemon juice and a bit of onion, cilantro and jalapeño; and mole Poblano, the savory sauce of chili and chocolate from the state of Puebla. Chipotle paste is another popular ingredient, used to flavor mayonnaise, crème fraiche and other sauce bases.
A ballet of sauces and spices: Mexican dishes
Hungry yet? Let’s discuss specific Mexican dishes!
Taco
Tacos are perhaps the most popular street snacks in Mexican cuisine. Consisting of hand-sized maize and wheat flour tortillas stuffed with a delectable filling of meat, chicken, beans or seafood, tacos are served by folding the tortilla in half and drizzling the fillings with sour cream, salsa, guacamole or other sauces.
Burrito
Similar to a taco, the burrito is a soft, large wheat tortilla wrapped around various fillings – vegetables, or meats such as chicken, beef or pork. Juicy, dense and delicious, burritos are typically served with rice and beans and accompanied by one or more sauces.
Quesadilla
Quesadillas are half-moon-shaped tortillas filled with cheese or meat and fried in a skillet. Made from cornmeal-based tortillas, quesadillas, a traditional Mexican delicacy, are widely enjoyed around the world.
Tamale
This traditional Mexican treat is believed to have been consumed by the Aztec and Mayan civilizations. A grilled, hand-held dish made by stuffing banana peels or corn husks with masa, a cornmeal dough, and seasoned meats or vegetables, the tamale is a traditional dish often prepared by families, particularly during the New Year, as well as a popular street snack.
Mole
One of Mexico’s trademark flavors, mole sauce beautifully presents the pairing of sweet and spicy. Typically made with dark chocolate, onion, garlic, dried or fresh chiles, salted biscuits or bread crumbs, and spices, mole sauce is usually cooked with chicken or pork.
Chilli con carne
Chilli con carne – chili with meat – is another Mexican culinary staple. Made with chili peppers, kidney beans, minced meat, and a variety of spices. This hearty stew-like dish is satisfying on its own but can also be served as a side dish.
Birria
Birria, a spicy Mexican meat stew, is made by simmering shredded cow, lamb or goat meat with spices and peppers. The most laborious stage of the dish’s preparation is marinating the meat, which is then cooked and shredded into strands. Birria is often served with corn tortillas, with tortilla coated in the marinade and fried before being filled with quesillo, a traditional Mexican cheese. The cheese is topped with shredded beef, fried till melted, then served with cilantro, onion and lime.
Torta
The torta, also known as a Mexican sandwich, consists of marinated beef, pork or chicken meat, fried beans, avocado, jalapenos, tomatoes, and greens. This mouthwatering sandwich, while deceptively simple, can be one of the most wonderful meals in the Mexican culinary pantheon.
Churros
No discussion about Mexican cuisine and Mexican dishes would be complete without dessert! Churros – typically served with a rich chocolate ganache sauce or whipped cream – are a sweet treat similar to a donut; crunchy on the outside but soft on the inside. Fried in oil, the churros are sprinkled with cinnamon and sugar and served hot.
We wish you delicious discoveries!
