Traditional Mexican Food

If you're bored of the usual fare and looking for some variety to spice up your life, traditional Mexican food may be exactly what the doctor ordered. Colorful and exotic, just like the land it comes from, the Mexicans have more than tacos and salsa to their credit. When your taste buds are hungering for a tongue tickling melange of spice and flavor, turn to Mexican food - it has all that and more. Like every other cuisine, these traditional recipes mirror the produce that is native to the region. You may well be surprised to learn that authentic Mexican food is quite different from the Tex-Mex served in restaurants across the US, which is modified to suit westernized tastes. Different regions in Mexico have different styles and methods of cooking. They are uniquely different, yet strangely similar - it's almost like food follows small changes in dialect, which spring from the mother language, but retain their own identities.

Traditional Recipes

Corn and beans are staple foods of Mexico, and a large number of recipes will incorporate these basics. Tomatoes grow in plenty, as do avocados, and any fan of Mexican food will swear by authentic recipes for salsa and guacamole. Mexicans also use a variety of spices in their cooking, so chili, cumin, oregano and cilantro will jostle for room in most recipes. Jalapeños and Chipotle will raise the heat factor. If the spices used in the recipes make you stop and do a rethink, reduce them to begin with, but remember to keep the reduction proportionate throughout the recipes. Listed below are some simple recipes, to begin with, followed by two traditional desserts.

Beef with Red Chili Sauce

Ingredients

• Dried red chilies - 8
• Beef roast - 3 lbs
• Beef broth - 1 can
• Garlic - 4 cloves, crushed
• Tomato sauce - 1 can
• Oregano - 1 tbsp
• Chili powder - 1 tsp
• Fresh ground black pepper - 1 tsp
• Salt - to taste
• Oil - for frying

Method

1. Slit open the chilies with a sharp knife and remove the seeds. Roast the de-seeded chillies on a hot griddle, turning frequently until dull brown in color. Plunge into warm water and leave to soak for approximately 30 minutes. Drain the chillies, then add the garlic and oregano and grind to a smooth paste, adding a little water if necessary.
2. In a large, heavy bottomed pan, place the beef, with enough water to cover the meat, and simmer, topping up the liquid when necessary. Once the beef is tender, drain the water and cut into small pieces.
3. Heat oil in a fresh pan and add the cooked beef, searing until well browned. To this, add the beef broth and the canned tomato sauce, stirring to mix well. Add the ground chili paste, chili powder, salt and pepper, then bring the mixture to a boil. Simmer, covered, for about 30 minutes.
4. Serve hot, with fresh flour tortillas, and a green salad.

Chilied Corn

Ingredients

• Frozen (or fresh) corn - 1 large pack, 16 oz.
• Roasted chilies - 1 small can, finely chopped
• Oil - 1 tbsp
• Lemon juice - 1 tsp
• Salt and fresh black pepper - to taste

Method

1. Heat the oil in a large saucepan, then add the corn and toss well. Cook for about 10 minutes.
2. Add the chilies, seasoning and lemon juice and take off the heat.
3. Serve immediately.

Tres Leches Cake with Fresh Summer Berries

This dessert is named so because it's soaked in three different types of milk. The Tres Leche Cake often features in traditional Mexican wedding food. It is a rich confection; this variation adds a freshness in the form of berries that bring a tartness to this creamy dessert.

Ingredients for the Cake

• Cake Flour - 1 cup
• Baking powder - 1½ tsp
• Salt - ½ tsp
• Eggs - 6, separated
• Milk - ½ cup
• Vanilla essence - 1 tsp
• Sugar - 1 cup
• Whipped topping - 1 carton
• Mixed fresh berries - 3 cups

Ingredients for the Cream Syrup

• Evaporated milk - ½ cup
• Condensed milk - ½ cup
• Heavy cream - ½ cup

Method

1. Preheat the oven to 325 degrees Fahrenheit (180 degrees Celsius, Gas Mark 4). Grease and flour a 9x13 inch baking pan.
2. In a bowl, sift together the flour, salt and baking powder. In a separate bowl, whisk the egg yolks till frothy, then add the milk, vanilla essence and sugar, whisking well to mix. Add the dry ingredients and mix well.
3. In a clean, grease free bowl, beat the egg whites till they reach a soft peak consistency. Carefully fold the yolk mixture into the whites in two or three batches, ensure that you don't over mix, and the batter stays fluffy.
4. Pour immediately into the prepared baking pan, and place in the oven. Bake for 30 to 35 minutes, or until an inserted toothpick comes out clean. Cool on a wire rack, then invert onto a clean plate, and poke with a fork, all over the surface. Chill in the refrigerator for about 40 minutes.
5. In the meantime, whisk together the three kinds of milk. Once the cake is chilled, spoon this mixture onto the surface of the cake, and leave to soak for a further half hour.
6. Cover the cake with the whipped topping, then decorate with the fresh berries. Chill for a further hour, and then serve.

Cajeta

Ingredients

• Milk - 8 cups
• Sugar - 2½ cups
• Cornstarch - 1 tsp
• Cinnamon - 1 stick

Method

1. In a heavy bottomed pan, place 7 cups of milk, along with the cinnamon stick and sugar, and simmer over low heat for 20 minutes.
2. Add the cornstarch to the remaining cup of milk and whisk well. Remove the cinnamon stick from the heated milk and discard.
3. Bring the milk sugar mixture to a boil, and then add the cornstarch and milk, whisking well to mix. Cook at a slow boil for another hour stirring constantly to ensure the bottom doesn't catch, the mixture will thicken.
4. When done, you will be able to see the bottom of the pan momentarily, when you drag the whisk across the base.
5. Take off the flame, and cool. Place in a container, cover and refrigerate for several hours. Serve as a topping for ice cream or other dessert.

Traditional Mexican food is as flavorful as it is colorful. If your ideas of what would constitute a list of such food was limited to enchiladas, tacos, guacamole and salsa, these recipes ought to give you something to think about, and more importantly something new to try out!