Mexican Appetizer Recipes

Cuisine is only about making foods taste the way they are supposed to taste. ~ Charlie Trotter

The current Mexican cuisine is a blend of the Aztec and Maya traditions and the culinary trends brought in by the Spanish colonists. Mexican cuisine is all about fresh spices, intense flavors and bright colors, Be it the refreshing green guacamole or the spicy red salsa, Mexican cuisine offers a wide variety of flavors for your taste buds.

The Mexican Bolilo

Also known as pan de agua in some parts of Mexico, the bolillo is a type of salty bread traditionally made in Mexico. It is long oval shaped bread with crunchy crust and a soft inside.

Ingredients

Bread Flour 6 cups
Dry yeast- ¼ ounce
Water - 2 cups
Sugar 1 tablespoon
Butter – 2 tablespoons
Salt1 – 1 teaspoon
Cornstarch – ½ teaspoon

Preparation

• Heat the water, sugar, butter and salt over low heat until warm and keep stirring continuously to blend.
• Mix the bread flour and yeast together.
• Now, add the liquid ingredients to flour and yeast mixture and beat until you get a smooth homogenous mixture.
• Now slowly keep on adding more flour until you get thicker and adequately soft dough.
• Knead the dough for some time until it becomes soft and easy to work with.
• Make a ball of the dough and grease all sides.
• Cover it and let the dough rise in warm place for about 1½ hours.
• Make small oval shaped dough balls and place on greased baking sheets and again let rise for 30 minutes.
• Prepare the glazing by heating ¼ cup water and cornstarch.
• Brush all the dough balls with the glazing.
• With a sharp knife, make an incision in each roll.
• Bake in at 400 degree oven until golden brown.

The Guacamole

The name guacamole comes from Mexican Spanish in which ahuacatl means avocado and molli means sauce and hence the name. Guacamole is a popular dip, which is enjoyed with all sorts of chips and crisps.

Ingredients

Avocado – 2
Minced Red Onion - ½
Finely Chopped Tomato - 1
Finely Chopped Chilies – 1 or 2
Chopped cilantro – 2 tablespoon
Lemon Juice- 1 tablespoon
Sea salt – ½ teaspoon
Freshly ground black pepper
Tortilla Chips

Preparation

• Cut the avocados in half, remove the seed and scoop out the flesh from the peel.
• Mash the avocado in a mixing bowl.
• Now, ass the onion, cilantro, lemon juice, salt and pepper.
• Mix and mash the ingredients together.
• Add the chilies according to your taste and preferences.
• Cover with wrap to prevent oxidation and refrigerate.
• Add the tomatoes just before serving.
• Serve with tortilla chips.

The Mexican Taco

Although originating in Mexico, the taco has become popular in various other countries including United States and Canada. The Mexican taco with its crispy tortilla and the lip-smacking filling has evolved as one of the most popular on-the-go snacks.

Ingredients

Ground beef – 1lb
Refried Beans – ½ can
Olive oil – 1 tablespoon
Chopped onion – ½ cup
Cheddar cheese –1 cup
Water – ¼ cup
Chili Powder – ¼ cup
Cumin seeds – 2 tablespoon
Chopped Garlic - 2 tablespoon
Paprika – 2 tablespoon
Kosher salt – 1 teaspoon
Ground black pepper – 1 teaspoon
Corn tortillas - 12

Preparation

• Firt of all saute onions in olive oil in a pan.
• When the onions start turning translucent, add the beef and cook thoroughly.
• Once the beef is cooked well, add the refried beans and mix well.
• Now add the chili powder, cumin, paprika, garlic and water.
• Allow the mixture to cook until half the liquid is evaporated.
• Now add the salt and pepper.
• Now, put some oil on the pan and fry the tortillas for 2-3 seconds.
• Now add the filling mixture on the tortilla, sprinkle some cheese and fold the tortilla in half
• Put the taco on the pan again and fry until it becomes crispy.
• Serve with some fresh guacamole or salsa