Mexican Cuisine

Aztec Contribution Gardinero = vegetable and grain. Sweet potatoes Corn Cocoa Potatoes Turkey Pineapple Vanilla Sweet potatoes Peanuts Peppers Squash Tomatoes Avocados Beans

Spanish Influence Introduced the oven Started frying in oil Spanish rice- added tomatoes and chilies to rice Brought spices; cinnamon and cloves. Wheat = tortillas Beef and chicken Peaches and apricots

Nutrition High in- Frying very important in Mexican cooking Fat Cholesterol Sodium Calories Vegetables and grain consumption Frying very important in Mexican cooking Corn tortillas = 1g of fat Flour tortillas= 3g of fat Weight problems Heart disease

STAPLE FOODS Corn Beans Peppers tortillas ¾ of population live on beans and tortillas

Mexican food Tortilla – flat unleavened bread from cornmeal/ wheat flour and water. 1. Enchiladas: shredded meat, onions , garlic, chilies melted cheese and red or green tomato sauce; baked in a tortilla. 2. Tostadas: flat crisp fried tortillas garnished with toppings 3.Quesadillas: filled with meat, beans, cheese, then folded in half; served as a appetizers 4. Burritos: wrapped around bean and meat filling 5. Tacos: crisp shell or soft shell filled with beans , meat, lettuce and cheese. Aka Mexican sandwich 6. Chimichanga: burritos that are deep fried

Mexican Food: Beans and Peppers Beans: staple food Pinto beans Black beans Turtle beans Cooked until soft, mashed and fried provide protein and fiber Peppers: Mild = sweet peppers Hot = chilies Bell = most common

Mexican Food: Vegetables and Fruit Served before main dish Vegetables Cactus Beans Jicama Tomatillos Chilies Artichokes Sweet potatoes Choyote = green squash Fruits Avocados

Mexican Food: Soups and Stews Wet soup- beans and corn Dry soup- rice and macaroni Fish soup- popular in costal regions Sauces: thick, some have chocolate added Stews: begin as a sauce- add tomato paste and meat Mole: chili sauce

Mexican Food: Meats Pork Lamb Chicken Turkey Chorizo- spicy pork sausage Seafood: Lobster Turtle Shark Also eat peanuts for protein source

Mexican Foods: Spices, seasonings and flavorings Bell peppers Jalapenos Garlic Onions Chilies Chili powder Salsa Cinnamon Nutmeg Cloves Cumin Cilantro- most important Vanilla

Mexican Food: Desserts Very fond of desserts Flan – caramelized custard Sopapillas – pastry Churros- a pastry covered in cinnamon and sugar Tropical fruit Mangos Papayas Candied sweet potatoes

Mexican Food: Beverages Chocolate drinks- hot, vanilla, almond and cinnamon flavor Coffee – boiled to thick sugary consistency

Mexican Meal Patterns 4 meals a day Desayuno- breakfast; heavy Comida – Lunch; between 1pm-3pm, biggest meal Merienda- Snack; between 5pm-6pm; coffee and breads Cera – supper; between 8pm-10pm lighter meal