When people think of Mexican food, tortillas, nachos and tomato based sauces immediately spring to mind.
However, much like the country itself, the traditional foods offer a carnival like fusion of colors and tastes, thanks to the inclusion of many strong and spicy traditional ingredients.
Like so many dishes, the ingredients used vary from region to region.
The north of Mexico tends to favor meat based menus, to include beef, goat, even ostrich!
The central region is more varied and influenced by the surrounding areas. Chicken proves to be a popular choice, along with the more specialized carnitas, made from braised pork, and menudo, a spicy tripe soup.
The south east region, particularly the coast of the Yucatan peninsula, has a more Caribbean influence.
Often sweeter dishes invariably containing seafood, spicy chicken, pineapple or chocolate, the most necessary ingredient in mole sauce.
Ceviche, a raw fish marinated in lime, or huachinango, red snapper are popular fish choices here. Pollo pibil is a real Yucatan specialty.
This consists of chicken marinated in orange with spices, barbecued and traditionally served in locally sourced banana leaves.
The basis of so many of the traditional menus will inevitably include tomatoes, chilies, garlic and
onion. Put these ingredients together with your choice of meat, fish, cheese, beans or
vegetables. These may be used to fill a tortilla, a thin flat bread made traditionally from maize or
alternatively wheat flour. Enchiladas consist of baked, folded tortilla, coated in tomato and chili sauce, stuffed with meat or vegetables. Chiles renellos are large chilies stuffed with spicy meat and cheese, great served with rice and fresh salad.
Other options are tacos, a crispy fried tortilla which folds around your choice of filling, making them a versatile snack to eat from your hand, when on the move. These can then be accompanied by jalapenos or guacamole and topped with melted cheese, washed down with a Mexican beer, such as Corona or Sol, or perhaps a tequila based margarita.
No traditional Mexican meal would be complete without a delicious desert. The most popular choices are tres leches, a moist cake, or platanos machos, fried spicy bananas covered with sour cream. Desert enchiladas, a rich sweet version of the traditional enchilada where the meat filling is replaced by fresh fruit, baked and covered in chocolate laced with cinnamon.
In terms of diversity in using local ingredients, Mexican food must be applauded for its imagination in both creating and displaying its dishes, which reflect the culture of this remarkable country.
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