Category: Mexican Recipes

What Kind of Cakes Are in Mexico

Mexico has their share of sweets. You can find sweet drinks, to candies and chocolates, and of course cakes. One cake that is popular and simple to make is the Mexican Chocolate Pound cake. What makes this cake a classic is the addition of Mexican chocolate and cinnamon. It is simple to make and very tasty!

If you crave for something lighter, Tres leches cake is perfect. Translated into English it means “cake of three milks”. It is a butter cake that is soaked with three different types of milk; condensed, evaporated, and whole milk. Because the cake doesn’t usually include butter in the milk, it contains a lot of air bubbles. The top of the cake can have fruit such as raspberries to add extra flavor. This cake is common many parts of Latin America. The origin is not surely known, but is thought to be between Nicaragua and Mexico, where the cakes were found the earliest. Tres leches cakes are great at parties and other special celebrations.

As you know, Mexico loves its spices. Chili and jalapenos are sometimes added to chocolate cakes. You might think it would taste weird, but it adds a unique flavor. The Mayas used chili with cocoa for many years. One particular cake that has a touch of spice in it is Chocolate Jalapeno cake. Every ingredient is typical to what you would see in other chocolate cake recipes but this particular cake calls for finely chopped jalapenos.

Another popular cake that is made in Mexico is called Rosca. You will have to wait until the holiday season to find it though because it is a cake that is made around December until February. It is made into a circle shape that represents the crown of the three kings. The cake is flavored with lemon and orange zest and contains almonds. The top of the cake usually is colorful with fruits. Inside of the cake is one of two miniature statues of the baby Jesus. A party that is held on the three kings day includes this cake. Everyone will cut the cake hoping they are not the one who finds the doll, because it they do, they have to make foods for another celebration that is held in February. The cake can be bought at local bakeries, or made from home, with the baker putting the dolls in themselves.

If you have a love with crepes, why not try them Mexican-style? The crepes are topped with Cajeta, which is Mexico’s version of caramel sauce. The crepes are also topped with toasted pecans. Other toppings can be added if desired.

If ever having a fiesta, try baking a cake. Some cakes have tropical fruits in them, while others are richer and contain cinnamon. Whatever you enjoy in other cakes, you will find in Mexican style ones. To make sure the cake is authentic, purchase actual Mexican cocoa and follow the recipe accordingly. It is sure to be a big hit at your next celebration!

What is There To Know About Mexican food?

Mexican food is popular all over the world and for great reasons. There is such a variety when it comes to Mexican dishes. You can taste combinations you never have before. Many people appreciate the great Mexican minds that created popular Mexican foods. The foods thrill our taste buds, the smells excite our minds, and the looks please our eyes and enrich and inspire our souls.

Many of the Mexican foods of today are based from long ago when the Aztecs and Mayas first created them. Some dishes that are exotic and eaten long ago include iguana, spider monkeys, and rattlesnakes. It is not eaten most of the time in this century, but it is also not unheard of. In addition the Mexican foods evolved when the Spanish colonists arrived. One ingredient that has not changed is the chili pepper. You may also find a bit of Caribbean influence in some Mexican dishes, especially in the Mexican states of Veracruz and the Yucatan. French influence can also be found in some Mexican dishes, one being bolillo. That is bread popular in Mexico that has a hint of French.

There are many health benefits when it comes to Mexican foods. They are rich in vitamins and minerals, with low fat and calories. You are not eating authentic Mexican food if you eat at Taco Bell. America has added many fats to the foods, which doesn’t contain all the nutrients you would eat if you ate in Mexico. Mexican dishes contain many fresh ingredients that you may not be able to find in other types of cuisine. Tomatoes, peppers, onions and others are very healthy for your body.

Foods differ in the different regions of Mexico. It depends on the climate and geography of the area along with ethnic differences. Northern Mexico is known for its dishes that contain meat, while in Southern Mexico, dishes popular include vegetable and chicken. Sea-food is commonly served in the Mexican state of Veracruz. Veracruz is a Mexican state that is very long and tropical with lowlands that runs up and down the Gulf of Mexico. It is easy to get fish such as red snapper, snook, grouper, and mojarra. Mojarra is a prized fish in the area. Crab, lobsters, and oysters are abundant.

Besides the ocean, the state has more than 40 rivers that run through it. It has an endless supply of freshwater fish and shellfish. The food is prepared in a way that reflects unique dishes of the state. Seafood is very healthy for your body and can add a different taste to regular classic Mexican food dishes.

You can learn a lot of history and facts about Mexican food by the different regions. Trying new recipes will give you a taste as to why they differ. With Mexican culture rich in history, it is always nice to learn about how the foods came about and how they are nowadays. Once you are knowledgeable about the dishes it makes it even more enjoyable when cooking and eating.

What is the Holiday Food Rosca de Reyes

Rosca de Reyes started as a tradition in France. They would offer gifts to the baby Jesus around the holiday season, usually in the beginning of January on the three kings day. These gifts consisted of fruits, eggs, nuts, and more. Some of these gifts were baked into a sweet roll that was made into a crown shape, which was to remember the kings that went looking for Jesus. In recent times, the Rosca holds miniature statues of the baby Jesus which people are supposed to look for in the bread.

The event is for the whole family. People gather and have a great time. Once they are informed that there are dolls in the bread they can start cutting the cake. The cutting represents the danger that Jesus was in. Whoever finds the doll first has to put on a party in February for Candlemass Day. That is a celebration of the nativity scene being put away, with some of it being given to the person who found the doll in the rosca. The person is responsible for making a gown for the baby Jesus on that day. Afterwards, there is usually a dinner with tamales and atole being served. Atole is a drink that is served around the holiday season. It contains masa, which is also found in tortillas, water, vanilla, cinnamon, and chocolate or fruit if wanted.

Rosca comes in different sizes. Some are enough to feed two to three people, while others can be large enough for twenty people. Many types of rosca have fruit on the top. Local Mexican grocery stores carry the bread around the holidays, with Mexicans having an extended holiday season until February. There are also many recipes to make your own at home.

Rosca de Reyes is the day when children in Mexico, Spain, and other Latin countries receive majority of their holiday gifts, instead of from Santa at Christmas. Before the children go to sleep, they set out their shoes, or a box that is filled with grass for the kings’ camels. They also have a wish list placed where the gifts should go. The next morning, the shoes and boxes are filled with toys and candies that the three kings left for the children.

In other countries, three kings day is also celebrated. In Germany they make a cake that is called dreikonigskuchen. It consists of fruits and pecans. In France the cake is called galette des rois which is typically a puffy pastry that is filled with an almond cream and has icing made from syrup. In Mexico the cake is flavored with lemon and orange, brandy, and almonds giving it, it’s unique flavor. The United States is also familiar with the type of cake that is common in Mexico.

Join in this Mexican tradition. This is a great celebration in honor of baby Jesus and the Kings. If you never have celebrated this before, try it this upcoming holiday season. Your guests will learn a new tradition from centuries ago and have fun while doing it.

What is Tex-Mex Cuisine

Tex-Mex cuisine is a name used to describe dishes that are found in the state of Texas that is primarily American. It blends available foods in the United States with traditional Mexican cuisine. Some of the Tex-Mex foods may differ from actual Mexican dishes, but are still referred to Mexican dishes in Texas. People who live outside of Texas sometimes refer to Tex-Mex as Southwestern food.

Tex-Mex is considered “America’s oldest original cuisine” by some. Tex-Mex got its name back in 1875. It started when the Texas-Mexican Railway was nicknamed Tex-Mex to refer to the railroad and describe the Mexicans that were born in Texas. The mission era blended Texas foods with Spanish and Mexican. It got its name by the Tejanos (Hispanics born in Texas). The different regions of the state kept the foods similar to each other. Eventually other meats such as goat and cow’s head gained popularity. In the twentieth century, cheese was added because it was readily available and inexpensive in the United States.

More than 60% of the population of Texas has ancestors that were from Mexico. It is no surprise as to why that state has become popular for its Tex-Mex dishes. Tex-Mex is most popular in the South Central part of the state, which includes the cities of Austin and San Antonio. Tex-Mex dishes commonly use the ingredients of garlic, sour cream, cilantro, beans, avocado, and chorizo, which is a spicy Mexican sausage that originated from Spain. Chiles are also important in Tex-Mex dishes.

The chilies range from sweet and mild to hot fiery and are added to a variety of dishes. Some chiles that are used in Tex-Mex cuisine include ancho, jalapeno, and the hottest of them all, the habanero pepper. The food is contemporary and can easily be made. There are dishes that require more detail such as casseroles, black bean soup, and bunuelos, which is fried bread that is eaten with sugar and cinnamon that is sprinkled on the top.

Tex-Mex cuisine contains large amounts of beef, spices, and beans. Texas-style chili, crispy chalupas, and fajitas are all Tex-Mex originals. A serving of tortillas with hot sauce or salsa is another Texas invention. Other tasty creations include seven-layer dip, and tamale pie. Mango margaritas are a modern drink in the Tex-Mex menu.
Many of these recipes are simple and require little skill, but there are some foods that involve preparation of another recipe to complete the main dish.

One dish that is shouts Texas, is chili. It is a combination of meat and spices, with no beans added. Sauce is the main ingredient of the chili. Chili started by the Chili Queens of San Antonio. They made the chili to sell at stands for cowboys who came to the town.

If you are ever visiting Texas, it is worth trying the unique foods of the region. You will be able to taste Mexican classics with a Texas twist. Many dishes are available, but don’t be surprised when the dish arrives and the food doesn’t taste the same. That is part of the experience you will have when you eat Tex-Mex.

What is New Mexico Cuisine

Different states in America offer different types of Mexican dishes. One type is New Mexico Cuisine. It is found in the state of New Mexico and consists of Mexican- American dishes. The dishes made in the New Mexico style are similar to regular Mexican foods such as burritos, but the difference is the type of chile pepper they use. In New Mexico cuisine, green chile pepper is used. The peppers are grown throughout the state. It is becoming popular in other states also. Green chile pepper can be used in just about any type of dish including hamburgers.

Another difference that separates New Mexico dishes is the way the foods are prepared. The use of spices and sauces are different from Mexico. Also the dishes usually have more meat and fewer beans. The dishes are influenced by the southern state of Chihuahua, which is also known for their dishes having more meat.

The foods are usually named the same as the dishes in Mexico. Burritos, chimichangas, tacos, and others consist of the same ingredients. The reason it is different is by the green chile and other small details. You may also find different items on the menus such as fish tacos and shrimp enchiladas.

Some Mexican dishes that have a different taste in New Mexico include chorizo. It is a sausage that is spicy, being seasoned with red chile and garlic. It is a food that can be served at breakfast. The New Mexican chorizo is said to taste different by its spice blend. Tortillas in New Mexican cuisine are also different. The tortillas are usually more thick and less chewy then tortillas found in other places. Posole is a stew that New Mexico has put their twist into. New Mexico style has many green chiles added to it, which makes it a lot different than the traditional dish.

Salsa picante is a thin sauce with pureed red peppers, onions, and tomatoes with added spices. The spices are similar to others that you would find in typical New Mexican dishes. The chili sauce added is also similar to both New Mexican style and Louisiana hot sauce. Picante sauce is very common and is an added condiment to add an extra punch of heat to any dish.

Even the salsa is a bit different in the New Mexican style. Typical salsa will include tomatoes, chiles, onions, and other spices. In New Mexican cuisine, the salsa has a large amount of cilantro added.

Whatever restaurant you go to, you are likely to have chile sauce on top of your dish. If you are not used to the hotness, you might have to take it slow. Start with small foods like salsa. You will get used to the strength and before you know it, you will be buying your own chile to create dishes from your home. The chile can be sold throughout the year and can be stored easily in the freezer. You will be able to enjoy a touch of New Mexican style cuisine with your Mexican food favorites.