Second courses of Mexican cuisine. Mexican main dishes

Mexican cuisine or national cuisine of Mexico is not just a set recipes, This ancient customs and the traditions of the Aztecs, brought to our days in almost unchanged form. In addition, it is a global cultural heritage, which was recognized by UNESCO.

It is surprising that throughout the history of existence mexican food, it practically did not undergo any changes. Even ancient utensils, which were used in the process of cooking, have been preserved. Therefore, do not be surprised if, when you go to Mexico, you will see how spices are ground in stone mortars to prepare this or that sauce.

The peculiarity of Mexican cuisine is, first of all, predetermined by its geographical location and climatic conditions, thanks to which the variety of fruits and vegetables in this country is simply amazing! In general, there are three main products that are used most often in cooking. These are corn, beans, and chili peppers.

Corn is central to Mexican cuisine among the foods. It is used in every possible way. Prepare from it, for example, flour, which is the basis for tortilla or corn tortilla. This product, in turn, has become one of the main components in the preparation of such traditional dishes:

• burrito is meat pie, or rather meat filling with beans, rice, tomatoes and cheese wrapped in corn tortilla;
• enchilada - an envelope of corn tortilla stuffed with chicken or other meat and beans, poured over with cheese sauce;
• chimichangas are tortilla tubes stuffed with chicken or beef, tomatoes and cheese, fried in in large numbers oils;
• uevos - scrambled eggs baked on corn tortillas.

Also, instead of bread, tortillas are served with salad and all kinds of sauces.

It is believed that the national dishes of Mexico are consistently spicy. Some even believe that such food is almost impossible to eat. But this is not entirely true ... As a rule, sauces prepared for a dish are spicy, for example, the famous Salsa. The main dishes themselves can be neutral. For example, cooked fish or meat, those who are not accustomed to spicy can eat without fear. The spiciness of the sauces can be adjusted according to your taste.

As for the variety of dishes of traditional Mexican cuisine, it is not in doubt! Among national recipes You will find appetizers, first courses (soups), main main courses, salads, sauces, and desserts. Although, of course, the food culture of Mexico is completely different from the Slavic culture!

Of the soups in Mexican cuisine, the most famous is the so-called tortilla soup. It is a chicken broth, to which fried garlic and onions, tomatoes, cilantro, cumin, black pepper, chili pepper are added, as well as jalapeno pepper. Soup is served with fried tortillas and a little grated cheese. It turns out pretty sharp.

As second courses, fajita is the most famous. These are grilled meat, seafood and vegetables, which are wrapped in a tartilla. It seems this dish on a burrito, only unlike it, in fajita, the corn tortilla is not stuffed, but served separately. Thus, everyone can choose the filling to their taste. As for the side dish, it is served with the main course boiled rice or beans.

The famous dessert of traditional Mexican cuisine is called Calabaça. It consists of ginger and pumpkin, which are preserved with cane sugar. Also, just fresh fruit can serve as a dessert.

And to top it all, one cannot fail to mention tequila - a strong alcoholic drink that is made on the basis of blue guava. She has become a real symbol of the country!

It is best to join the national cuisine of Mexico by going to this wonderful country or by visiting a restaurant (cafe) traditional cuisine. However, don't think that you can't cook Mexican food at home. It's not that hard! Just follow the recipes with photos that are given on this site and then you will certainly succeed!

The national cuisine of Mexico is a kind of synthesis of Spanish, Aztec and Indian cuisines. The dishes of this cuisine are very diverse and enjoy constant success all over the world. The very fact that Mexican cuisine is included in the UNESCO World Heritage List speaks of the uniqueness and uniqueness of the dishes that all tourists and guests of this beautiful and hospitable country simply need to try.

For cooking national dishes widely used meat, vegetables, legumes and cereals, seafood. But corn dominates. Corn is boiled, fried, served with meat, pepper, mayonnaise, grated cheese. In addition, cornmeal is widely used. Here are just some of the dishes from this wonderful plant, the cereal family:

• "" - very popular mexican flatbread, from cornmeal.
• "tacos" - corn tortilla, stuffed.
• "pinoles" - toasted cornmeal, with cocoa.
• Posoles - meat cooked in cornmeal, there is also a corn drink of the same name.
• "tamales" - pieces corn dough, with sauce, steamed.
• "Tostados", "quesadilla", "chimichangi", "nachos" - amazing cakes, with various fillings.

Separately, I want to say about "tortilla", which has long been calling card national cuisine Mexico. This thin corn tortilla with spices is used not only separately, but also as part of many dishes.

• "burrito" - a kind of tortilla roll, stuffed with beans, minced meat, tomatoes, avocado, rice and cheese.
• "enchiladas" - a tortilla rolled into a tube and stuffed with meat, tomato or cheese.
• "Tartilla Soup" fried pieces tartillas, with chicken broth, cheese, chili peppers, garlic, onions and tomatoes.
• "fajita" - grilled beef meat, with vegetables and wrapped in a tortilla.
• "papatzules" - fried flatbread, with pumpkin seeds and an egg.

Mexican cuisine is famous for its spiciness and wide use of various spices and seasonings. Local chefs like to add to their meals hot peppers chili, cilantro, pepperoni, chayu, cumin seeds, serrano peppers, avocado leaves, helaneno peppers, onions, garlic... In general, in Mexico, there are more than a hundred types of peppers that differ in taste and degree of spiciness.
to meat and fish dishes accepted to file mexican sauces. The most famous and popular are salsa sauce (made from tomatoes, garlic, chili peppers, pepperoni and black pepper) and guacamole sauce (made from fresh fruits avocados, peppers, onions and tomatoes).

I bring to your attention a few more dishes that vividly characterize the national cuisine of Mexico:

• "" - minced meat wrapped in corn leaves. There are over 500 species of these peculiar Mexican cabbage rolls. The dish is so popular that there is an annual tamale cooking festival.
• "chicharoni" - a roll of pieces of fried pork skin.
• "seviche" - fresh fish marinated in citrus juice.
• « peeled cactus salad.
• « mexican salad"- made from lettuce, black beans, tomatoes, cheese, onions, sour cream and salsa sauce.
• "nacho" - a dish from chicken fillet, sour cream, cheese, crushed chips and salso sauce.
• "chipotle" - tomato soup in chicken broth.
• "olla podrida" - Mexican goulash.
• "chipile" - pork with vegetables.
• "carne asados" - fried pork, with a side dish of beans.
• "monte lablano" - stewed or fried turkey.
• « tacos al pastor» — pork slices fried on a spit.
• mexicali is a dish similar to tobacco chicken.
• "sopa de marisco" - seafood soup.

Will please, the national cuisine of Mexico, fans to feast on. First of all, they are beautiful and juicy. local fruits, fruit desserts, sweet buns, muffins, puddings. Popular with tourists are:

• "kanas asadas" - original and unusual dessert from roasted sugar cane.
• "" - sweet royal bread, with dried fruits.
• « cherry chimichangi".
• « mango with whipped cream.
• « sweet corn soufflé".
• pumpkin in syrup.

Mexican cuisine is characterized by originality, originality and uniqueness of dishes. Here they combine the incongruous - sweet and spicy, and get fine dining, which are considered the pinnacle of culinary art.

Mexican cuisine: features

The cuisine of Mexico has a rich history and lies in the adaptation best traditions African, Caribbean and South American cuisines to the hot temper of the Mexican people.

Temperament can be called a feature of Mexican cuisine: dishes are both spicy and spicy at the same time.

Another one characteristic– Mexican table etiquette. He prescribes to take dishes of national cuisine with your hands.

History and traditions of Mexican cuisine

A world-famous cuisine, recognized and revered throughout the globe, was born in the truest sense of the "pasture". Cacti, snakes, lizards and insects - that's what stood at the origins.

The features and traditions of the Aztecs, who wandered through the desert, only slightly changed and were supplemented with the beginning of a settled life on the shores of Lake Texcoco. Having erected the city of Tenochtitlan, the Aztecs began to comprehend agriculture: they grew Bell pepper, amaranth, corn, potatoes, pumpkin, legumes. Meat diet, previously consisting of everything flying and crawling, began to be supplemented with the meat of farmed livestock. But boiled and baked creeping creatures are still often part of the menu of indigenous Mexicans.

Grilling has become a favorite method of cooking meat. It is customary to serve such a delicacy with a side dish of beans, beans with the addition of salsa or guacamole.

"Barbarians" surprised with their skillful culinary combinations even the most inveterate gourmets of that time - the Spaniards. characteristic feature cuisine, both then and now, is a skillful combination of traditional national products: beans, potatoes, corn, avocados, pumpkins, beans - with spices.

List of national products

Mexican cuisine is unthinkable without:

• corn tortilla, which can be served as a separate dish or as a component of an appetizer;
• Tabasco sauce - spiciness is one of the most important "chips" of Mexican cuisine;
• nachos - corn chips that are eaten with sauces.

Now it is worth talking in more detail about corn, which in Mexico is considered not only the queen of the fields, but also the mistress of the culinary world. Tortillas, nachos, burritos, anchiladas, chimichangas and even desserts are prepared on its basis. It is customary to add it as an ingredient in many traditional dishes.

Another must-have product: burning Bell pepper. It is not only used for sauces, but also added to salads, served with meat and fish.

Did you know? The fashion for drinking tequila with salt and lime was invented purely for tourists! The Mexicans themselves frankly do not understand how something can spoil the extraordinary taste of their traditional agave vodka.

Restaurants and cafes of Mexican cuisine

Almost every point the globe you can try dishes that are prepared on the basis of the peculiarities of Mexican cuisine. Of course, they are slightly adapted, but there are still notes of burning Mexican passion in them.

If you want to taste a whole flavor symphony of the most popular Mexican dishes, buy a ticket to the sultry sandy country and immediately head to the Don Chon restaurant. There you can taste dishes prepared according to old recipes preserved from antiquity. Ant and caterpillar larvae, fried iguana, baked armadillo lizard and other popular dishes native Mexicans - that's what awaits visitors to the restaurant.

Recipes of the most popular dishes

Many recipes used in our time have come down to us in their original form. What can I say - even the cooking method remains the same: for example, it is still recommended to grind spices in a mortar.

Burito is a traditional Mexican dish.

If a trip to Mexico is postponed, prepare a dish that meets the peculiarities and traditions of this country on your own.

For 5 servings you will need:

• 5 tortillas (cornmeal tortillas);
• 3 small chicken breasts;
• 2 tomatoes;
• fresh cucumber;
• Bell pepper;
• onion head;
• sauce (possibly mayonnaise);
• spices and spices.

Mexican cuisine to match the people of Mexico themselves - bright and unforgettable. Colorful colors, creative design and spicy flavors distinguish it from all other traditional dishes. Gourmets assure that in its diversity even the most fastidious tourist will find favorite treat. It's interesting that Mexican cuisine was included in the UNESCO World Cultural Heritage List.
Mexican edible sights are appetizing combination Spanish and Indian culinary traditions. The conquistadors who arrived in Tenochtitlan (present) in the 16th century discovered that the Mexican cuisine of that era consisted of beans, corn, chocolate and tomatoes, richly seasoned with herbs. The Spaniards introduced the locals to rice, garlic, wine and meat. The symbiosis of new products and food of pre-Columbian America is the diet of the average Mexican today.

Main dishes

Mexican cuisine First of all, it's corn. It is boiled, fried, steamed and turned into flour. No less popular on the menu are beans and rice. Beans are the food of working people because they are high in calories and satisfying. And seafood is added to rice with minimal thermal processing on the coasts. Some dishes are quite spicy, because they have chili peppers and jalapenos as an essential ingredient. The most refractory are invited to try the chipotle - red jalapeno, smoked on wood smoke.

Sauces

It is difficult to imagine a Mexican table without salsa - a sauce based on tomatoes and chili peppers. Lesser known in the world, pico de gallo is a fresh mass of tomatoes, onions and chili. original taste Mole has chili and cocoa sauce. Guacamole is a spiced avocado sauce. This dish has Aztec roots and used to be considered "mashed potatoes for the poor." Chile con queso - cheese sauce with chili and tomatoes, which goes perfectly with corn chips.

tortilla

The basis of many dishes mexican food- It's a tortilla. They have been baked since ancient times by the natives, and the Spaniards came up with the name - it painfully reminded them of a traditional Spanish omelette. Tortilla is made with wheat or corn flour in flat clay pans to keep them soft and dense. Tortillas replace bread for Mexicans - they are served just like that, used as a side dish or even a fork! Tortilla is the food of both the poor and the masters. It is difficult to list all the dishes based on this corn tortilla - burritos, pies, rolls, canapes ... The main thing is to eat the tortilla right away while it is warm, because corn dough hardens quickly.
Nachos are tortilla chips. Mexican sauces, dressings, salads are served with them. Sometimes this is a separate dish, which is brought on a special tray with a recess for salsa.
No decent Mexican will throw away the remains of a tortilla - everything will turn into a new dish for him. Chilaquiles are dried pieces of corn tortillas that are covered with chili sauce and heated until they are soft. You can eat them with meat, vegetables, eggs or sour cream.

Burrito and its varieties

As soon as the name of the famous dish Mexican cuisine: and "donkey" from Spanish, and "bangs" from the Mexican dialect, and "hard worker" from slang. Probably the name comes from the nickname of the businessman Juan Mendoza, who was affectionately called the Donkey. He sold meat and vegetables on the Mexican border and wrapped them in corn tortillas to save money on earthenware. Soon the Mexicans could not imagine full lunch without this addition. They called him "bangs" - because of the protruding stuffing and "hard worker" - as a popular high-calorie food for workers. The basis is a tortilla, in which a filling of beef, beans, rice, avocado, cheese, and beans is wrapped. Salsa sauce adds a special spiciness to the dish.
Fajita is a type of burrito. The name comes from the Spanish word for "stripe", as the meat is cut into strips. Vegetables, sour cream, salsa, pico de gallo and cheese are added to it. Distinctive feature- the filling for the fajita is served separately, so that everyone can decide for himself what to wrap in a flatbread.
Enchilada - “chili-flavored” - is also somewhat reminiscent of a burrito. The cornmeal cake is thin, meat stuffing or eggs with vegetables are wrapped in it. The resulting treat is lightly fried or baked in the oven under a layer of cheese. Enchiladas are usually eaten with hot sauce mole.
Taco also has tortilla as its basis, only the fillings are much more diverse: meat, cheese, seafood, beans, vegetables, even nopal! The filling is densely superimposed on the cake, which is then wrapped.
If you put a topping of cheese, vegetables or chorizo ​​on the tortilla ( spicy sausage with chili peppers and paprika) and fold the tortilla in half, then you get a quesadilla. A properly fried burrito would be called a chimichanga.

Soups

Tortilla soup is another "hot" item. Onions and garlic lightly fried in corn oil, after which, in the company of tomatoes, chili, jalapeno and black pepper, they go to boiling chicken bouillon. It turns out a very spicy stew, which is served in bowls with grated cheese and fried tortilla.
Pozole is a meat and corn soup. The grains are boiled so that they lose their shell, after which they burst. Then meat is added and put on the table. Guests can add sauce to the soup according to their taste.

Main dishes

Mexican cuisine, as you already understood, does not exist without spicy dishes! Chili con carne is a thick stew of meat and chili peppers, where vegetables, beans, onions and tomatoes are also added.
Tamale came to us from time immemorial. It is assumed that it was with them that the Indians treated the conquistadors. The dish is a cornmeal dough wrapped with banana leaves. Inside is a filling of meat, vegetables, cheese - in a word, everything that a good Mexican housewife has in the refrigerator.
Mexican cuisine, of course, mainly meat, but there are seafood dishes. For example, fish or shrimp ceviche. Marine inhabitants are marinated and cut into small pieces, then mixed with red onion, chili, lemon and sprinkled with black pepper and spices.

Dessert

Polvoron is a cookie that came from Spain, which is usually baked for various holidays. It is made from flour, sugar, milk and nuts, after which it is shaped into a ball and sprinkled with powdered sugar.

Beverages

Mexico is the birthplace of tequila. This strong alcoholic drink obtained from the juice of the blue agave - even the very name of Mexico comes from the Aztec "the place where the agave grows." Tequila is credited with a divine origin - they say, an awkward god hit the agave with lightning, after which the fermented juice appeared, intoxicating the locals. This drink is attributed healing properties- Mexican scientists claim that this is an excellent antiseptic. Tequila is known, first of all, thanks to the ritual of use: lick, drink, eat. True, this method is popular only in Western countries, in Mexico they drink tequila in one gulp and add salsa sauce for spiciness.
From soft drinks very tasty tejate made from cocoa, corn, cinnamon and fruit seeds. All this is ground into a paste and seasoned. sugar syrup and then cooled down. The main thing is that there should be a thick cocoa foam on the surface. Champurrado is hot drink based on chocolate and cornmeal. It can be mixed with alcohol or chicken eggs.

exotic dishes

lovers exotic dishes with pleasure they will taste a fried nopal - or a cactus.
In the villages, you can easily treat yourself to ant eggs, iguana, deer or spider meat. And those who are lucky enough to visit Mexico during the Day of the Dead celebrations can see special bread from wheat flour. It is called the Bread of the Dead and is prepared especially for the holiday. It is baked in a round loaf, after which it is sprinkled with powdered sugar. The decoration is stripes and a bread ball, symbolizing the skull and bones.

Do you love Mexican food?

Traveling in Mexico? Be sure to find and taste traditional dishes, appreciate the authentic taste gourmet cuisine this country!

For a long time - one of the most popular holiday destinations in the world. This country attracts both lovers of sunbathing and lovers of delicious food. If you get a chance to visit Mexico, make sure you give it a try best tastes and feel the best flavors that it can offer. I hope my review will help you with this.

Chilaquiles

It's popular traditional breakfast, which consists of a lightly toasted corn tortilla, cut into 4 pieces, drizzled with green or red salsa (red is a little spicier). On top, as a rule, add an omelette or fried eggs and chicken, as well as cheese and cream. Chilaquiles are often served with big portion frijoles (refried beans).

Posole

According to anthropological research, this pre-Columbian soup was once used as part of ritual sacrifices. Today, chicken, pork, and vegetarian pozole are available in more casual settings. These are dishes made from hominy with big amount herbs and spices, stewed for several hours, often all night. Before serving, it is decorated with lettuce, radish, onions, lime and chili.

Taco al pastor

This is a historical dish, one of the most popular types tacos, whose history dates back to the 1920s and 30s, during the arrival of Lebanese and Syrian immigrants to Mexico. How are tacos al pastor (meaning "shepherd's style") made? thin slices the pork is cooked on a spit, then laid out on a corn tortilla, followed by the onion, coriander leaves and pineapple.

Tostada

What to do with stale tortillas? Of course, fry! "Tostada" literally means "fried". It's simple but very tasty dish from corn tortilla fried in boiling oil until golden crispy. They are served separately or with various side dishes. Frijoles (refried beans), cheese, meat, seafood and ceviche raw fish marinated in lemon) are popular side dishes.

Chile en Nogada

En nogada is one of Mexico's most popular patriotic dishes, as it combines the three colors of the Mexican flag. poblano stuffed with picadillo (a mixture of minced meat, fruits and spices) is green color flag, sauce based walnuts- This White color and pomegranate seeds - red. The dish first appeared in Puebla, according to history, the dish was first served to Don Agustín de Iturbide, the liberator and subsequent emperor of Mexico.

Elote

In Mexico, elota sellers mexican name boiled corn on the cob, found on almost every corner. Usually, boiled corn served either on a stick (to eat it like ice cream) or in cups, where there are only grains without the cob. Then salt, chili powder, lime, butter, cheese, mayonnaise and sour cream are added in large quantities.

Enchilada

Enchiladas originated in Maya times, when people in the valley ate corn tortillas wrapped in fish. Today, meat, cheese, seafood, beans, vegetables, or all of these are added to corn and flour tortillas. Stuffed tortillas with chili sauce - perfect mexican breakfast.

mole

Three states claim to be the motherland of the mole - thick sauce popular in Mexican cuisine. There are countless types of moles, but they all contain about 20 ingredients, including one or more types of chili, and all these moles need to be constantly stirred. for a long time. Probably the most famous mole is the poblano mole, a reddish-brown sauce usually served with turkey or chicken.

Guacomole

Guacamole is without a doubt one of the most popular mexican food but only a few know that this traditional sauce appeared during the time of the Aztecs. It is made from mashed avocado, onion, tomato, lemon juice and chili peppers (and sometimes a clove or two of garlic is added). Typically, guacamole is eaten with tortillas or used as a side dish.

Tamale

Tamales first appeared among the Aztec, Maya, and Inca tribes, who needed a nutritious meal that they could eat on the go and take with them into battle. A pocket of corn dough is stuffed with something sweet or spicy, wrapped in a banana leaf or corn on the cob, and reheated.

Toppings can vary from meats and cheeses to fruits, vegetables, chili and mole. Don't forget to throw away the wrapper before eating!