Much like the country
itself, Mexican cooking is extremely rich and varied with
plenty of color and flavor. Mexico is famous for its typical
foods – there are Mexican restaurants in most countries,
catering for that special Mexican cuisine. But for a truly
authentic Mexican meal, there is no place like the country
itself to go on a food sampling adventure.
Great cuisine definitely calls for first rate ingredients
and fresh produce, but talented cooks are also part of the
recipe, and here, the Mexicans have no problems whatsoever.
They are gifted in creating wonderfully seasoned dishes using
the ingredients that are unmistakably present in most Mexican
dishes: basic ingredients such as corn, beans and the famous
hot chilies. Combinations of these ingredients with fresh
vegetables, shellfish, meats and very importantly, herbs and
spices make up the incredibly varied spread at a typical Mexican
meal.
The ancient pre-Hispanic civilizations
that lived here for centuries used corn as one of the staples
in their diet. That is why corn, to this day, continues to
be the foundation stone of Mexican cuisine. The beans provided
the all important protein. When the Spaniards arrived, the
continued using these ingredients, adding a few of their own,
such as cheese , sugar, garlic, cereals, rice, wine, meats
and sausages flavored with spices and thus creating a blend,
which is reflected in so many other aspects of Mexican lifestyle
and culture, such as literature, art and architecture, to
name a few.
Mexican cooking can basically be described
as a cuisine with basic, honest dishes that are simple but
packed with flavor. Mexican cooks rely heavily on corn,
chilies, protein-dense beans and tasty herbs and spices.
These few basic ingredients are present throughout the various
dishes found in Mexico’s different regions, each of
which has its own little twist.
Other common ingredients include meat,
poultry, shellfish, fish, fruits and vegetables such as
tomatoes, squash, sweet potatoes, avocado, coconut, pineapple,
papaya and prickly pear cactus and nuts. Two other very
common elements featured in Mexican cuisine include limes
and the spice termed coriander (cilantro), which is used
to enhance many dishes and give them that extra touch.
Mealtimes are usually
noisy, leisurely family affairs that allow people to relax
and enjoy each other’s company. They can stretch on
for hours and may even be followed by the traditional afternoon
siesta (nap). At a formal dinner, the hosts indicate the seating
arrangements for the guests. In such cases older people and
women are seated first.
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