Mexican food has a lot of bold and fresh flavors.
Mexican food is one of the world's most popular cuisines. The vast expanse of different yet flavorful food is one reason. Selections range from the bold taste of red chili sauce on a cheese enchilada to the light and citrusy ceviche. Mexican-style cooking can be complicated, but there are easy ways to duplicate authentic Mexican food with the right utensils and ingredients.
Instructions
1. Purchase common Mexican food staples to add authenticity to your dish. The two most common foods are beans and rice. Make a good start to Spanish rice by sauteeing long-grain white rice in vegetable oil for several minutes before cooked it. Refried beans or black beans can be heated over a stove and served directly onto a place. Another food staple is the tortilla. These can be heated up in a microwave, oven, or stove top and served with nearly every Mexican dish you make.
2. Add spiciness to your dishes by adding chopped jalapeno pepper or a pinch of cayenne pepper to your sauces. If you're concerned about making your meal too hot, consider adding a spicy side dish that compliments the meal. A jar of hot salsa from the market or a batch of your own can be placed on the dinner table and used as needed. Jalepeno peppers can also be baked or sauteed in oil and served independently.
3. Utilize your spice rack. Again, many Mexican dishes have bold flavors that require the use of multiple spices. Onion powder, garlic salt, cayenne pepper, black pepper and cinnamon are common ingredients in Mexican cuisine.
4. Store fresh produce in your refrigerator, especially tomatoes, onions and limes. Tomatoes and onions are used in ceviche (fish cooked in citrus juice) as well as a garnish for heavier dishes. Additionally, a simple salsa, called pico de gallo, can be made by chopping a small amount of onion, tomato and cilantro together (add jalepeno for heat). Lime is also important since a lime wedge can be used on nearly every Mexican dish. In regards to fresh herbs, cilantro is another necessary ingredient.
5. Use a granite mortar pestle for grinding and crushing. This tool looks like a small granite bowl. A granite stick is used to either mix or crush ingredients against the sides of the bowl. This tool is important for a couple reasons. First, the pestle can help you duplicate textures that are important in Mexican dishes such as guacamole). Second, the pestle imparts a slight flavor to the ingredients you're crushing.
6. Saute meats and vegetables on a cast iron skillet. The cast iron, like the pestle, helps impart flavors to the meat and vegetables that will help improve the authenticity of your cooking. A cast iron skillet is especially helpful if you cook fajitas and other meat-heavy dishes.
Tags: Mexican food, cast iron, authenticity your, cast iron skillet, cayenne pepper