The West & Southwest

What did they eat? On the go food. ◦ Easy ◦ Portable ingredients

Major Influences… Spanish ◦ Texas, Arizona, & New Mexico were apart of the USA until 1848.

What is Tex-Mex? Combination of – ◦ Spanish ◦ Mexican ◦ Anglo Famous for – ◦ “Original Chili”  NO BEANS!!

Chilies – A staple! Ripeness ◦ Green – Immature ◦ Red – Mature Chilies have one name when fresh, another when they are dried or smoked. ◦ Jalapeno = Chipotle Heat depends on – ◦ Type ◦ Maturity ◦ Oil & Seed are hottest part!

So Cool… Southwest cooks use… ◦ Cornmeal instead of flour. ◦ Why? No Gluten So how do they make things rise? ◦ Used culinary ash ◦ (Burned Juniper to make Alkaline Ash) Acids in Corn + Alkaline Ash = Carbon Dioxide (makes things rise)