Mexican Food
Basic Food – Introduction
• Mexican food is a blend of Indian and Spanish influence; however, most Mexicans continue to eat more native foods such as corn, beans, and peppers. These foods are cheap and widely available.
• Corn is the basis of the Mexican diet. It can be found in almost every meal, usually in the form of a tortilla, pictured here.
Types of Basic Food
• Basic foods in Mexico are tortillas, frijoles, chilies, guacamole, and salsa.
• Tortillas are flatbreads that have been the staple food of generations of ordinary Mexicans. They are often served alongside a meal as bread would be. They are used in many typical dishes – rolled and baked for enchiladas, fried for tacos, or grilled for quesadillas.
• Frijoles (“free oles”) are beans and provide a good source of protein. They serve as a main ingredient in a meal or are served as a garnish.
• In general, the larger the chili, the milder the flavor. Poblano (“pablano”) peppers, pictured here, are the largest. They are usually stuffed and served as a main course. They are also used in a sauce.
• Ancho (“awn cho”) peppers are the most common chili peppers and are commonly found in sauces.
• Other peppers are Fresno, Chipotle, and Jalapeno (“hal a peno”). The Fresno pepper looks like a smaller version of a sweet green pepper. You can find them in guacamole and also in dishes that include black beans. Jalapeno peppers are probably the most well known pepper.
• Guacamole is avocado mashed with onions, chilies, and cilantro, which is a herb. It is served as a dip or as a garnish.
• Salsa is actually just a sauce. Salsa is commonly associated with the red or green mix of tomatoes, onion, chili, and cilantro (“sa lawn tro”). It is served as a relish or a dip.
Fruits & Vegetables
• When Mexican food is mentioned, most people in the United States will think of Taco Bell or Taco Mayo. Mexican foods in America are not rich in nutrients. However, authentic
• Mexican food is a blend of Indian and Spanish influence; however, most Mexicans continue to eat more native foods such as corn, beans, and peppers. These foods are cheap and widely available.
• Corn is the basis of the Mexican diet. It can be found in almost every meal, usually in the form of a tortilla, pictured here.
Types of Basic Food
• Basic foods in Mexico are tortillas, frijoles, chilies, guacamole, and salsa.
• Tortillas are flatbreads that have been the staple food of generations of ordinary Mexicans. They are often served alongside a meal as bread would be. They are used in many typical dishes – rolled and baked for enchiladas, fried for tacos, or grilled for quesadillas.
• Frijoles (“free oles”) are beans and provide a good source of protein. They serve as a main ingredient in a meal or are served as a garnish.
• In general, the larger the chili, the milder the flavor. Poblano (“pablano”) peppers, pictured here, are the largest. They are usually stuffed and served as a main course. They are also used in a sauce.
• Ancho (“awn cho”) peppers are the most common chili peppers and are commonly found in sauces.
• Other peppers are Fresno, Chipotle, and Jalapeno (“hal a peno”). The Fresno pepper looks like a smaller version of a sweet green pepper. You can find them in guacamole and also in dishes that include black beans. Jalapeno peppers are probably the most well known pepper.
• Guacamole is avocado mashed with onions, chilies, and cilantro, which is a herb. It is served as a dip or as a garnish.
• Salsa is actually just a sauce. Salsa is commonly associated with the red or green mix of tomatoes, onion, chili, and cilantro (“sa lawn tro”). It is served as a relish or a dip.
Fruits & Vegetables
• When Mexican food is mentioned, most people in the United States will think of Taco Bell or Taco Mayo. Mexican foods in America are not rich in nutrients. However, authentic