Mexican cuisine is all about flavor. Much of this flavor is attained through the judicious use of regional spices. They give Mexican food its signature taste. If you want to learn how to make authentic food, you truly need to understand their spices and how to use them.
Garlic is a common seasoning used in Mexico. It can be used fresh, dried, or powdered. Onion, which is closely related to garlic, is another seasoning that is almost always used in main dishes. These two ingredients are capable of imparting a lot of flavor. Onion may be used fresh or powdered. Onion and garlic may be added raw to a dish or cooked first.
Herbs and spices like chilies, cumin, and oregano are used to create that authentic flavor we all love. Mexican oregano is dissimilar to Italian oregano in that it offers an earthy, rich flavor. Oregano works well with vegetable and tomato dishes. Cumin originated in the Mediterranean, but it has gained in popularity all over the world. It has a toasted, slightly bitter taste that cannot be replaced by any other seasoning.
Chili powder is created from a mixture of several chilies as well as cumin and oregano. It is typically used to season vegetable and meat dishes. Specialty chili powder may also be used. Powder from ancho chilies is known for its rich and sweet flavor. Chipotle chili powder is made from jalapenos that have been smoked and dried. It offers a very mild, distinctive flavor that is frequently used in sauces and salsa. Chipotle is a must when making adobo.
Other seasonings often used in Mexican cuisine include epazote, cloves, cinnamon, and anise. Epazote is an herb that is most frequently used when making bean dishes. It adds flavor and helps calm any intestinal upset beans may cause. Also known as Mexican tea, it is strong flavored and should be used in small quantities. Large amounts may be poisonous. This herb can be grown in many home gardens. It requires partial shade and plenty of water.
Cocoa, anise, cinnamon, and cloves all add a lot more complexity to Mexican recipes. These are all warming spices. Cocoa is used in mole. This is a sauce that is often served with chicken or other meats. Cocoa balances out the hotter spices in any recipe, making it more palatable.
If you like traditional Mexican foods, learn as much as you can about the spices so you can cook them properly at home. You will be able to recreate the complex flavors of this cuisine for your family whenever you want. Balancing these flavors will add to your cooking skills in all areas as well as Mexican food because you will have a better understanding on how these spices interact with other ingredients.
These are just a few of the most common spices and seasonings in Mexican cuisine, however, you will discover many more as you learn more about these recipes. Research their cooking, practice what you read and you will become more adept with this cuisine. Your family and friends will thank you once they taste the results of your research on Mexican spices.
A Look at Typical Mexican Christmas food is perfect for celebration. Dishes like rice, tamales, menudo or an entire roast pig are common for Christmas in Mexico. Turkey is also a favorite, washed down with cider punch or hot fruit beverages. A delicious dish of chiles rellenos may just hit the spot. It’s easy and festive.
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