What do you remember about Mexican cuisine? Flavor. The majority is gained from the use of traditional spices. These seasonings give the food the flavor we all know and love. If you truly want to learn how to make food from Mexico, it is imperative to understand how their spices are used.
Garlic is a popular seasoning in Mexico. It can be found in powdered form, dried or fresh. Onion, a close relative to garlic, is another seasoning that is used frequently in the main course. These two ingredients give a lot of flavor to the recipes. Onion may be used powdered or fresh. Both onions and garlic may be used cooked or uncooked.
Chilies, oregano, and cumin are just a few of the herbs and spices used to make that flavor we recognize as Mexican. Oregano from Mexico is a different plant than the one you may be familiar with from Greece and Italy. The oregano in Mexico has a richer, earthier tone. Use it liberally in any tomato dish. The Mediterranean is home to cumin. This spice has become quite popular in not only Mexico, but also all over the world. It gives recipes a toasty, barely bitter flavor.
Chili powder is created from a mixture of several chilies as well as cumin and oregano. It is typically used to season vegetable and meat dishes. Specialty chili powder may also be used. Powder from ancho chilies is known for its rich and sweet flavor. Chipotle chili powder is made from jalapenos that have been smoked and dried. It offers a very mild, distinctive flavor that is frequently used in sauces and salsa. Chipotle is a must when making adobo.
Other spices used in Mexican cooking include cloves, epazote, anise, and cinnamon. Epazote is an herb used primarily in bean dishes. It adds flavor and may calm bean-caused stomach upset. Also known as Mexican tea, it has a strong flavor. Do not be use it in large quantities, as it may be poisonous at these levels. This herb is easily grown at home. It needs partial shade and frequent watering.
Cinnamon, cloves, cocoa, and anise all add depth of flavor to Mexican dishes. They add a rich warmth to recipes. Cocoa is an all important ingredient in mole — a rich sauce often served with chicken. Cocoa also tempers the heat from peppers. Use it to balance the heat in many hot, spicy dishes.
If you like traditional Mexican foods, learn as much as you can about the spices so you can cook them properly at home. You will be able to recreate the complex flavors of this cuisine for your family whenever you want. Balancing these flavors will add to your cooking skills in all areas as well as Mexican food because you will have a better understanding on how these spices interact with other ingredients.
These are just a few of the most common spices and seasonings in Mexican cuisine, however, you will discover many more as you learn more about these recipes. Research their cooking, practice what you read and you will become more adept with this cuisine. Your family and friends will thank you once they taste the results of your research on Mexican spices.
Which meats can you use for Mexican recipes? Will freezing peppers make them lose their spiciness? Find the answers to these questions and more at MexicanFoodRecipes.org, where you will also discover plenty of authentic Mexican recipes, easy Mexican salsas, soups and salads and more, which you can make at home.
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