What make a Mexican dish authentic? It needs to have Mexican origin and it usually contains typical ingredients. Guest author below discusses themost common food ingredients used in authentic Mexican recipes.

More Authentic Mexican Recipes

Key Ingredients For Authentic Mexican Recipes
By KC Kudra

Authentic Mexican recipes are well worth making. Not only are the flavors wonderful but Mexican food recipes are a blend of all different flavors from a variety of countries. Spain, India, China, Portugal, and other countries have influenced traditional Mexican recipes and these flavors and styles, along with native Mexican flavors, are what is responsible for the amazing Mexican recipes that are around today.

Before the Spanish arrived in Mexico, meat was relatively scarce, which is why beans and corn were the main nutritional staples. Strong tasting spices and chilies were used to add flavor. Seafood has always been popular along the Mexican coastline. The Spanish also introduced cheese, chicken, onions, garlic and wheat, which the native Mexicans enjoyed adding to their own dishes.

You might think that cheese is a Mexican staple, since it features in so many Tex Mex dishes, but cheese has not been used in Mexican cuisine for that long. Queso Fresco, queso blanco, Panela, and similar Mexican cheeses are nice with quesadillas and enchiladas though and Jack cheese (which is North American rather than Mexican) is really good with a lot of Mexican dishes.

Basic Mexican Staples

There are many types of chilies grown and used in Mexico, including the potent Serrano, the tasty ancho, and the fiery jalapeno. Chiles are used to flavor mole sauces, salsas, stews and more and they can be used whole, dried, fresh, smoked, or powdered. Mexicans prefer cooking with lard to cooking with oil or butter. Lard gives a great flavor to Mexican dishes.

Pinto beans, black beans, and other beans are well loved in Mexico and you can make traditional Mexican foods like bean salads, soups, refried bean recipes, and a lot more with them. Vegetables such as fresh tomatoes, corn, and avocadoes are popular too.

Corn can be ground up and used to make corn tortillas, masa, tortilla chips and more. Avocadoes are used in salad recipes and to make guacamole and fresh tomatoes can be made into salsa or used to flavor soups, rice dishes, or stews. Red Mexican sauces are usually made with chilies, not tomatoes, and tomato-based sauces are rare in Mexican cuisine.

Recipe for Spicy Corn

This recipe makes a wonderful side dish. Corn and chilies are two of the best-known Mexican staples and this recipe also features cumin. Serve this delicious side dish alongside meat and potatoes and everyone will love its exciting flavor. This recipe serves six people as a side dish.

You will need:

1 lb frozen corn
1 teaspoon chili powder
1 tablespoon oil
1 teaspoon finely diced Serrano chili
1 small can finely diced roasted red chilies
1/4 teaspoon cumin
Salt, as needed

How to make it:

Heat the oil in a pan over a medium heat, and then add the corn. Heat it up for five minutes, then add the other ingredients and cook for a further five minutes. Add salt to taste and serve hot.

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