Mexican Cooking Secrets

Learning to cook Mexican dishes can require a little practice. Some of the practices can seem overly complicated at first. After mastering the techniques of Mexican cooking, it can become very easy to create amazing authentic Mexican dishes for your friends and family. Discover the secrets below.

Secrets to Mexican Cooking Methods 101
By Christine Szalay Kudra

Some cooking methods used in Mexico may be familiar to you already, but there are a few with which you may be less familiar. You have probably fried, boiled, and grilled lots of meals, but have you ever tried a steaming bucket? Do you know what a molcajete is?

The Use of Steam for Cooking

Steaming is often used in Mexican cooking. A dish known as barbacoa is steamed. The meat is wrapped in a banana or cactus leaf before being suspended over a boiling pot in a deep pit to steam. Steaming buckets were used to steam tamales. This popular Mexican dish is made of a filling surrounded by masa, which is wrapped in corn husks. Special kettles are now made to make tamales that can cook many at the same time. Sweating is a technique used to skin fresh chilies. Onions and chilies are often soaked to help remove some of their heat. When soaked in milk or a combination of water and vinegar, the chilies become milder in flavor. They need to soak from 30 to 60 minutes.

What about the molcajete? A molcajete is a small mortar and pestle used to grind ingredients like herbs or corn. A larger version, known as a metate y mano, is made of stone. It has a slight concave surface on which to grind corn. Before corn masa could be purchased, every family used one of these to prepare their own masa.

Mexican cooks often simmer and boil their food. Vegetables and meat may be placed into a pot to slowly cook all day long. By dinner time, the meat is so tender it falls to pieces. The meat is then used for carnitas, tacos, and many other recipes.

The Ever Popular Grilling Method

Grilling is a popular method of cooking in Mexico. The open flame adds so many flavors to the dish. Many meats are marinated in spices and peppers and then grilled so they can be used in various recipes. Grilling and roasting increases the flavor of tomatoes, garlic, onions, chilies and tomatillos. The flame kisses the ingredients, caramelizing the sugars and creating delicious flavors.

Stewing is a traditional method of cooking that has been used in Mexico since time immemorial. The long cooking times needed for proper stewing were common. At times, the vegetables and meats were cooked separately and then combined for further simmering before serving. Today, this is often done in a Dutch oven. In days gone by, this was done in a clay cazuela.

When you want to try some quick authentic Mexican recipes, think about what methods may appeal to you in your own kitchen. Learning new techniques is fun and expands your abilities in the kitchen. Do not be afraid to make a mistake or two. Your family will love trying new things that you make in the kitchen, especially if you are making Mexican food.

As you will learn, there is so much to study with Mexican cuisine. The cooking methods and diversity of flavors create a lifelong study on their own. Dig right in and get started.

Mexican food makes a great change from our usual staples and if you want to surprise your family with something deliciously different tonight. Easy Mexican recipes are nutritious and flavorful and sure to become a family favorite. Mexican recipes are as easy to make as they are great tasting. As the mother of four boys I can tell you Mexican food is a favorite in our house.

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Article Source: Secrets to Mexican Cooking Methods 101