Mexican culture is a unique combination of pre-Hispanic, colonial, and postcolonial Mexico. The Mexican people are rightly proud of their history, ethnicity, and culture.
Mexican city life is not all that different from life in Europe or in the United States, although some villages still have more traditional ways. Most Mexicans live in large cities and there are more Continue reading Mexican Food – So What Do You Really Know About Mexican Food Culture
Mail this post
Mexicans love their bread recipes and perhaps you have been lucky enough to try some authentic Mexican bread. Cornbread is perhaps the best known type of Mexican bread and this goes beautifully with a Mexican soup recipe or stew recipe. It is perfect for dunking in chili con carne and equally good served as a dessert with honey poured over it.
Bolillos are one of the most popular breads sold in Mexican bakeries. This bread is baked on the bottom of the oven, to give it a crunchy, thick crust. Puerquitos are fun, piglet-shaped breads made with a piglet-shaped cookie cutter. The main ingredients in this bread are milk, sugar, molasses, and wheat flour.
Sweet Mexican Breads and Pastries
Feite is a sugary bread, made by alternating butter and dough layers. When it is baked, the moisture trapped between the layers fluffs the feite up. Pan fino is always found in a Mexican bakery. This is a cinnamon-flavored, soft bread. It is shaped by hand so comes in all different shapes. It might be frosted or filled with fruit.
Conchas, which literally translates to mean, “shells,” are also very popular. These sugar-rich buns come in all colors including pink, yellow, white and brown and they contain eggs and butter. They are made by hand and then covered in a sweet paste. They look like shells because of the design on top. There are many more Mexican bread and pasty recipes too and if you have a Mexican bakery near you, it is a great idea to check out some of the delicious buns, rolls and baked goods on sale there.
Recipe for Authentic Mexican Bolillos
This easy bread recipe makes thirty six bolillos. These Mexican buns smell gorgeous while they cook and they are incredible when served warm from the oven. You do not need a bread machine or any special equipment for this simple Mexican bolillos recipe.
What you will need:
How to make them:
Combine the sugar with the yeast and then stir in the warm water. Add the salt and then beat in four cups of the flour gradually. Add the rest if necessary, until the dough becomes too stiff for stirring.
Turn it on to a lightly floured cutting board and knead the dough for about ten minutes or until it is smooth. Put it in a lightly greased bowl and turn it so it is greased all over. Cover the bowl with a kitchen towel and let it rise somewhere warm for an hour or until it doubles in size.
Punch the dough down and let it double in size again. Cut it into thirty six pieces and shape each one like a flattish ball with twisted ends. Arrange them a couple of inches from one another on a floured baking sheet and slash the tops using a sharp knife.
Cover them again with a towel and let them double in size again. Preheat the oven to 400 degrees F. Grease the tops of the rolls, using a pastry brush, then bake them for twenty five minutes or until they are golden brown.
There are lots of delicious Mexican recipes you can make, to go with bolillos or any kind of tasty homemade Mexican bread. The best authentic Mexican recipes are those which are easy, nutritious and bursting with wonderful flavor. Luckily, that applies to most Mexican recipes.
MexicanFoodRecipes.org When it has to be Real Authentic Mexican Food
Article Source:
http://EzineArticles.com/?expert=Christine_Szalay_Kudra
Mail this post
Top 5 Delicious Taco Recipes
Everyone loves Mexican food. And with Mexican recipes made this easy and delicious, who needs to leave home for their favourite Mexican food? Choose from the following taco recipes that are not only simple to prepare, but taste great.
Easy Beef Tacos
Ingredients:
1 pound ground beef
1/4 teaspoon minced garlic
1/4 cup onion, Continue reading Mexican Food – Top 5 Delicious Taco Recipes
Mail this post
Getting The Best Seasonings And Food Spices Tips
As long as food is concerned, the notion of national specific spices and seasonings sold all over the world aid you travel in space and also in time without leaving the kitchen. The Greek seasoning is a marvelous way of cooking your meal and getting a taste of the Greek culture. Just in case you do not know where to purchae Greek seasoning, then you can prepare your your own mixture as follows. Combine two teaspoons of salt and two of dry oregano with one and a half of onion powder and one and a half of garlic powder. Add one teaspoon of cornstarch, one of pepper, one of bouillon granules and one of parsley flakes. In the end add half a tea spoon of ground cinnamon and another half of nutmeg. This mixture will certainly make the Greek seasoning you are looking for.
If you would like to make sure that your seasonings spices and herbs are still fresh, then you should check the appearance, the taste and the smell. These three are wonderful indicators of freshness and you can utilize them even when deciding what to pick from a shelf in the superstore. If the color is faded, most likely so is the flavor. Moreover, if the fragrance is not strong even when crushing seeds or leaves in your hand, then you should definitely doubt the freshness of those seasonings spices and herbs.
Admittedly the American cuisine is not totally American because there are so many national influences which came with the immigrants. It is acknowledged that there are differences, as well as similarities between the different cuisines represented in America. There are Creole, Cajun, Chinese or Mexican cuisines, to mention just a few of them. When we talk about Mexican food, for example we must say that this cuisine brought about certain ingredients, typical dishes, among which the fajitas and fajita seas
1000
oning, too, as well as the preference for certain vegetables and certain condiments to prepare the foods. The Mexican cuisine covers the bottom third of North America.
The selection of recipes on the internet from which you can choose an old bay seasoning recipe, to use when cooking, is incredibly wide. So, after doing some research on the internet, you will be able to find a good old bay seasoning recipe to help you prepare a wonderfully tasty meal for your family and friends. To make your own old bay seasoning mix you need an old bay seasoning recipe and, obviously, the necessary ingredients. One old bay seasoning recipe can be done in fifteen minutes. In this old bay seasoning recipe you will need to combine the following ingredients: one teaspoon of ground bay leaves, 2-1/2 tsp of celery salt, 1-1/2 tsp of dry mustard, one teaspoon of ground cardamom, one teaspoon of ground mace, one teaspoon of crushed red pepper flakes, and one teaspoon of paprika.
Who has not dreamed of visiting Greece? Who has not longed to lie in the sun on the Greek beaches and maybe have a boat cruise while enjoying the beautiful view of Greek dancers? And who has not ever dreamed of trying Greek food or at least Greek style cooked food?
One more tip you can rely on is once more related to storing and preserving the seasonings spices and herbs. You should replace the cap or the lid of the bottle or jar in which they are placed by the manufacturer immediately after you have opened it. It is also a smart idea to use only dry spoons when you measure the amount of seasonings spices and herbs while cooking and to avoid measuring while holding the jar or bottle above the boiling pot in which you prepare your meal. The steam will surely make the flavor quality decrease.
By: Ferdinand Okeke
Article Directory: http://www.articledashboard.com
Everybody relishes the aromatic thirst of a well prepared meal. However, it might interest you to know that good cooking is no more the exclusive reserve of the so called “Gourmet” You can now cook highly delectable meals…. Seasonings And Spices This is a must have for every family and home Seasonings, Herbs And Sauces
Mail this post
Like all countries, there are Mexican food traditions, which are unique to the country. Food, after all, is an important part of any country’s culture and Mexico is certainly no exception. There are Mexican food customs, which are attached to certain holidays and other occasions, with special dishes being cooked on these days.
Mexican Holidays Recipes and Typical Mexican Continue reading Mexican Food – So What Makes Mexican Food Culture So Specially Unique?
Mail this post
Pairing Beer And Food
While pairing food and wine is a common practice, the proper beer pairing can also compliment and bring out the flavors of food. Pairing beer and food is not an exact science, but there are some general guidelines that can help to enhance the enjoyment of both the beer and your meal.
The first thing to consider when pairing a frosty brew Continue reading Mexican Food – Pairing Beer And Food
Mail this post
Top 5 Communication Tips for Couples
by: Alan Stafford
1. If you want to be a better communicator, be a better listener. This means listening without reaction and without judgment. When your partner shares, you are observing your partner’s innermost feelings and emotions. These feelings are neither good nor bad. This is just how your partner feels. You don’t have to agree.
But, the first step in effective communications is to listen and understand that your partner feels that way. Communication in a good relationship isn’t just two people talking to each other. It is also two people listening.
2. When your partner is sharing a belief, an opinion, or a feeling, it is his feeling. He is entitled to it; it’s his. Telling him he’s wrong never works and makes people defend their positions. Do you remember your reaction last time when your partner said that you were wrong? It works just the same the other way. Remember that understanding and accepting that your partner has these feelings does not mean you agree with them.
3. Being a successful couple is not a win-lose game where one person has to give in. Being in a successful relationship means that neither of you is completely right, nor completely wrong. Successful communication between you and your partner may help you find a third alternative where you can both live happily. Example: you hate Chinese food; he hates Mexican food. You could argue forever until one person gives in and is miserable throughout the meal. Or, you could go to an Italian restaurant that you both like.
Two small tips: 1) don’t give up too soon – oftentimes you will need to talk the problem over for a few minutes before you find that common ground. 2) Don’t always give in to keep the peace- if you always give in and let your partner decide, it will someday result in having an “I’m tired of letting you make all the decisions!” kind of a row.
4. Learn the 3-step approach to solving the differences in your relationship:
a) Verbalize the behavior that is causing you a problem
b) Explain how the behavior is creating a problem for you
c) Request that your partner do something to change the situation. Notice that I did not say correct the behavior. Correcting implies that the behavior was wrong. You don’t need to make the behavior wrong. You just want the behavior to change.
5. Finally, never say no to your partner’s request. Not for money, not for help around the house, not even for sex. Your answer should be either “yes”, or you should make a counteroffer. Your partner can then counter your counteroffer. The counteroffers continue until both partners have a solution that both can live with.
This is another example of finding that third way. This process will strengthen your relationship. When you say “no”, you cause hurt and feelings of rejection. Saying “no” also shuts down future communication. Your partner will start thinking “I won’t ask her anymore, because the answer is always no”.
After all, that is what marriage is all about: a continual meshing, accommodating, and negotiating between two individuals trying to act as a couple. If you had wanted everything your way, you should have stayed single. Remember, when it comes to your relationship, it’s not my way; it’s not his way; it’s our way. Always look for that third way – that common ground where both of you can be happy.
About The Author
Dr. Alan Stafford, Relationship Results Coach
I help Singles and Couples build relationships that work
www.relationshipsuccessexperts.com
Click here to ask Alan a question about your biggest relationship issue
http://relationshipsuccessexperts.com/askalan.htm
Get our free newsletter for relationship tips and advice
http://relationshipsuccessexperts.com/subscribe19.html
©2006 Alan Stafford/Relationship Success Experts
Mail this post
Guy Fieri Goes To Arizona
Guy Fieri, host of the Food Network’s hit show “Diners, Drive-Ins and Dives,” has eaten at a number of restaurants in Arizona over the years.
“When it comes to food, Arizona’s got it going on,” said Fieri.
Arizona food does not get the respect of other cities such as New York, Los Angeles, San Francisco or even Las Vegas. People Continue reading Mexican Food – Guy Fieri Goes To Arizona
Mail this post
A Look At Mexico’s Culture By Submersing Yourself In It
Traveling to Mexico? Want to experience what Mexico is really like? If so, there are some places where you can truly immerse yourself in real Mexican culture. People watching is a great way to learn about a place and its inhabitants.
Town Squares
In every city and village you visit, you will find Continue reading Mexican Food – A Look At Mexico’s Culture By Submersing Yourself In It
Mail this post
The History behind Mexican Cooking
The Conquistadores on their arrival to the Aztec capital, Tenochtitlan (present day Mexico City) discovered that the diet of people comprised mainly of dishes made with corns, chilies and herbs, largely with tomatoes, beans or nopales. They mixed their own diet of rice, pork, beef, garlic and onions with the native food of pre Columbian Mexico which included maize, chocolate, vanilla, fruits such as guava, avocado and pineapple and some meats and local varieties of fish.
The traditional staple grain is corn but now, rice is as prominent and Mexico has a rice harvest in abundance. As per Karen Hursh Graber, a renowned food writer, the first introduction of rice from North Africa to Spain in the fourth century resulted in the influx of rice from Spain to Mexico from the Veracruz port in the early 16th century. Graber claims that this was among the first instances of fusion of the best cuisines of the world.
Some very exotic dishes are cooked in Aztec and Mayan style in villages. The ingredients come from rattlesnake, spider monkey, ant eggs and some other insects.
From Pre Columbian to Conquistadors
The Spanish explorers, led by Hernan Cortes, were attracted towards Mexico’s gold treasures. They not only conquered the country but brought back the food from the New World. This food then became staple diet for people across the world.
Bernal Diaz del Castillo, a compatriot of Cortes, recorded everything he experienced and this included details of the foods, battles and extreme conditions experienced by his compatriots. He recorded the history of Spain’s conquest of Aztec Mexico which was ruled by Montezuma. In between all this, Diaz also describes the opulence of food stores of Montezuma.
Cortes discovered that human flesh that had been offered as a sacrifice to Gods was an edible food in Mexico. Shocked by this ritual, he persuaded Montezuma to ban this practice.
Diaz noted that their diet was so rich that banning the ritual sacrifice would have been easy. Fowls, partridges, quail, ducks, rabbits and other small animals were cooked daily. Of course, there was the chocolate, in abundance. Cakes made of maize were properly brought out in plates with neat napkins. Diaz described the cakes as made with eggs and other healthy ingredients.
Diaz described maize plantations as omnipresent in New Spain. It was used in making dough known as masa from which came tamale and several other foods such as the tortilla. Maize was also popped and utilized in ornaments by young women during special occasions. In fact, maize was always in the focus of rituals. Diaz concluded that it was the basic of all Mexican food, although he did not deem it a cuisine.
Although conquistadors faced the Aztecs in Mexico, their diet was basically established in the Mayan civilization. Mayans used to worship corn and developed agricultural tools and procedures to grow corn.
Mayans were skillful farmers and could cultivate most of their staple food such as maize, beans, chilies, tomatoes and squash. Fruits and plants always grew in plentiful. Diaz especially mentioned prickly pear in his travelogues. Spirulina, an algae growing on water, was a major source of protein. A light alcoholic drink, Pulque, was made from the Maguey plant.
Beans were extremely vital to Mayans and other indigenous cultures and they used to plant corn and bean in the same hole, so that the bean could creep around the stalk of corn. Another type of bean, the scarlet runner bean, was grown in the central highlands of Guatemala and Mexico. Nowadays, people in Yucatan and Veracruz favor black beans while those in north favor pink ones.
Yet another important crop was the small amaranth seed which was raised in floating gardens by Aztecs. It is not very popular now as it was a part of cannibalistic ritual of Aztecs and the Spaniards did not favor it. Both maize and amaranth was used to prepare dough and dedicated to Gods. Several people used to eat pieces of dough, among them the humans who were to be sacrificed.
Tomatoes made their way from South America to Mexico while chilies in various varieties grew in plentiful. These are still the most vital ingredient in Mexican cooking and are used in sweetening or adding a punch to the dish.
Cortes reported seeing wild turkeys in the markets of Mexico City. In some Mayan excavations in the Yucatan and Guatemala region, bones from oscillated turkeys were found. These were found near the northern region of Mexico and are relatively smaller with peacock like spots. These were named pavo meaning pea hen by the Spanish.
While local ingredients provided them staple foods, it was the cooking procedures of the Mayans which provided them a healthy diet. They learned to cook corn with lime, steep it and remove the kernel. The lime released many nutrients from the corn which could be used by the human body. Even though they were not aware of vitamins, their cooking methods gave them a nutritious diet.
A look at the Spanish Foods Brought to Mexico
“We then ate a sumptuous dinner which they had prepared for us in their native style.” (Bernal Díaz del Castillo, The Conquest of New Spain)
The Spanish explorers introduced the Old World foods into the diet of the Indians. Maize was not replaced but the diet became richer. The Mexican cooking as we know today originated from this fusion of old and new ingredients.
Amongst the most vital introduction were domesticated animals. Pigs were the most popular ones as they were self fattening and easy to transport. These provided meat and lard which made the most sweeping change to the Indians’ diet. Mexicans never fried food until the introduction of pork.
After pigs, chicken, sheep, goats and cattle too assimilated and were grazed mainly in the central and north central regions. The traditional Mexican dishes that we see today appeared only after the conquistadors brought them.
The Spanish brought new grains such as wheat which gave rise to wheat tortillas. Sugarcane was brought from the Caribbean; Cortes himself had large areas of lands for growing sugarcane.
The Spanish took the Caribbean route to come to Mexico and this too influenced Mexican cooking. With Spanish flavors beginning to assimilate with the Indians’, the cuisine as we know today begin emerging. This was the comida novohispana. Frijoles, quesadillas and mole sauces emerged. The foods remained the same after independence of Mexico and the regional cuisines developed.
While the Spanish came as explorers, they transformed into conquistadors by forcing out the Aztecs. Hence, the Europeans dominated a civilization created by the early people. But how did the local foods survive? Probably, because of extreme poverty.
With extreme poverty, malnutrition and starvation normally follows. Mexico was always rich in nutritious foods. Even though the Spanish didn’t practice slavery, a caste system was created swiftly in Mexico. The pure Spanish occupied the top while in the bottom lay indigenous people. In this structure, each caste was represented by a food. For instance, wheat bread was preferred by the Spanish, while the corn stayed as the staple food. The wheat tortilla was cultivated in the northern region and thus affected cooking in the border areas.
Mexicans at that time generally lived on the streets. When they had to eat, they found that the native stuff was sold at cheap prices. Women travelled the streets and set up small fires to sell food. There were also grilling stands on every nook and corner. This was the Mexican food as it used to be cooked centuries before.
The elite class accepted these foods when dining with family but not outside. They considered these native foods as valuable, yet these should only be eaten in private.
When recipe books first came out in Mexico, they didn’t show any regard for native foods. Although these recipe books indicated that no one was consuming native food, most of the readers of such books were housewives. These ladies all had native cooks who were largely illiterate and learned their skills from older generations’ recipes. Hence, the native cook was making foods which the cookbooks disdained. The Mexican food thus survived.
The colonization by Spanish lasted several Viceroys and throughout the French reign of Maximillian and Carlotta. With the revolution of 1910, Mexico began proclaiming its native inheritance. The food created by the early natives now became the nation’s pride. While it can be called Mexican food, in reality, it deserves the word ‘cuisine’. It is subtle in nature and is among the world’s best cuisines.
2036
Mateo Gomez is a Mexican Food lover and founder of AllAboutMexicanFood.com. To learn about making a delicious Mexican Breakfast, including a great recipe huevos rancheros, head over to AllAboutMexicanFood.com.
Article Source:
http://EzineArticles.com/?expert=Mateo_Gomez
Mail this post