Traditional Mexican Foods

The United States has made Mexican cuisine a national institution, but are we preparing it correctly? Many aspects of what the average American thinks to be traditional Mexican food are, in actuality, products of American culinary creativity.

Let us think about one of the most famous dishes to come out of Mexico, the burrito. To begin, burritos aren't really real Mexican food. After that, we move on to tacos and in fact, nothing in a traditional Mexican restaurant is like a taco. Following that comes the cheddar cheese. There is no such thing as cheddar cheese in Mexico; it does not exist there. What about cheese sold at the grocery store under the label Mexican mix? It's just imitation cheese, nothing more.

So, what exactly is authentic traditional Mexican food and how precisely did the United States manage to screw it up? In order for us to get to the bottom of the myths surrounding Mexican cuisine, we need to take a trip to Mexico. Here we will look at eight popular Mexican foods that you should be on the lookout for.

  1. Churro

Who is to suggest that Churro are only for dessert? This fried sweet delight, is not exclusively eaten for dessert. Rather, Churro is a common breakfast food in Mexico and many Mexicans like eating them first thing in the morning.

  1. Gordita

The word “gordita” stems from the little, spherical mass of masa or dough that encases a filling of meat, cheese, or vegetables and has its origins in Spanish. In English, the word "gordita" translates to "little fat one" and they are often made using maize or wheat masa. After being formed into a shape somewhat like that of a British pasty or savory pop over, they are either baked or fried. The fact that these thick pancakes can be stuffed with almost anything gives them a distinct advantage over their thinner counterparts. They may be eaten as a snack at any time of the day due to their adaptability.

  1. Sope

Another convenient and tasty option for a snack is the classic Mexican cuisine known as the sope, which may be prepared in a number of different ways. The lime-soaked fried corn serves as the foundation of the sope and it is then layered with refried beans, other vegetables, and sauce that may be adjusted to taste. You are free to use whatever sort of food you wish to fill this, which opens the door to the possibility of adding toppings made of meat such as chicken or pork. However, the traditional method of preparation often involves mixing the vegetables with either a red or green chili sauce or salsa, followed by a covering of sour cream. The sope is a tasty Mexican cuisine that can be prepared in a variety of ways, so it is highly recommended that you try it at least once.

  1. Pozole

When people think of traditional Mexican food, they may not instantly think of soup or stew as part of the cuisine. However, the next item on our list is most definitely a delectable exception to the rule. Pozole is a traditional Mexican soup that is rich in taste and history due to the fact that it was formerly employed in religious rites in the civilization of the ancient Aztecs. Including the offering of humans. Thank goodness, human flesh is no longer used in the preparation of Pozole. Instead it contains a foundation of dried maize kernels. After that, chili peppers, cabbage, salsa, and citrus are used to add flavor to the stew. Before proceeding with the conventional presentation by adding the meat.

  1. Chilaquiles

Chilaquiles may not be a dish that comes to mind for those who have merely dabbled in traditional Mexican food, but those who have a true passion for food understand that this delight is an absolute must-have when traveling to Mexico. The foundation of this simple yet delectable dish is numerous corn tortillas that have been gently cooked and then sliced into triangles. These triangles are then arranged on the plate's four corners, and your preferred ingredients are added on top.

  1. Tamale

Tamales are a fundamental component of the Mexican culinary culture and a superb illustration of straightforward, traditional cuisine at its best. The classic tamale starts with masa, a key element in traditional Mexican cuisine. The masa, together with the toppings, is cooked in a delicious corn husk. It is not unusual to find both savory and sweet varieties of tamales in Mexico. This convenient and transportable snack may be stuffed with a variety of ingredients, including meats, cheeses, vegetables, and even fruit. Because of this, they are the ideal vehicle for the inventiveness of a chef, which contributes to their widespread use.

  1. Quesadilla

It is difficult to conceive of any Mexican dish that has as much potential for consumption outside of Mexico as the traditional quesadilla. One of the most common and well-liked Mexican recipes is one that requires little effort to make and is simple to consume. Because it can accommodate both savory and sweet fillings of varying textures and flavors. To create a quesadilla, you start with a tortilla made of wheat or maize, fill it with cheese, meat, or vegetables, and then heat it on a burner or a flat top until the filling is cooked. Because of this, they are wonderful options for lunch. In addition, it makes a simple and quick meal for individuals who are always on the go.

  1. Enchilada

The traditional Mexican enchilada is a meal that may be found on the menu of a wide variety of restaurants all over the globe, even those that do not specialize in serving traditional Mexican cuisine. This is not simply attributable to the popularity of the dish, but also to the degree to which a cook may readily impart his or her own unique creative spin on the dish. A corn tortilla wrapped around the food of your choosing and topped in a chili pepper hot sauce is a traditional preparation.