Mexican cuisine is famous around the world for its rich variety of flavors, colors, and textures. At Plaza Azteca, we pride ourselves on offering authentic dishes that capture the essence of Mexican and Latin American gastronomy. If you want to experience the magic of Mexican cuisine in your own home, here is a list of 10 essential ingredients, along with suggestions on how to use them and some simple recipes to get you excited about cooking them.
- Dried Chiles
Chiles are the soul of Mexican cuisine. Varieties such as chipotle, ancho, and pasilla offer a range of flavors, from smoky to sweet.
- Use: You can rehydrate dried chiles and add them to sauces or stews.
- Recipe: Ancho Chile Sauce: Hydrate 3 ancho chiles, blend with 2 cloves of garlic, salt, and a little water. Perfect to accompany tacos.
- Corn
The foundation of the Mexican diet, corn is essential in the form of tortillas, tamales, and more.
- Use: You can use corn kernels, corn flour (masa), or tortillas.
- Recipe: Corn Tacos: Warm corn tortillas and fill them with carne asada, onion, cilantro, and salsa.
- Beans
Nutritious and versatile, beans are another mainstay of Mexican cuisine. Varieties like black, pinto, and white are common.
- Use: You can make refried beans or add them to soups and salads.
- Recipe: Black Beans: Cook black beans with onion, garlic, and cumin. Serve as a side dish or inside burritos.
- Avocado
This creamy fruit is a favorite in Mexican cuisine, used in guacamole and as a side dish.
- Use: Mash avocados to make guacamole and serve with nachos or tacos.
- Recipe: Traditional Guacamole: Blend 2 avocados, 1 chopped tomato, 1 small onion, cilantro, and lime juice.
- Cilantro
Cilantro adds freshness and a distinctive flavor to many dishes.
- Use: Use both the leaves and stems in salsas, guacamole, and as a garnish.
- Recipe: Green Salsa: Blend green tomatoes with cilantro, garlic, chili peppers, and salt. Great for enchiladas.
- Lime and Lemon
These citrus fruits add acidity and freshness to dishes.
- Use: Lemon or lime juice is used in dressings, marinades, and sauces.
- Recipe: Lime Marinade: Blend lime juice, minced garlic, salt, and pepper. Marinate chicken or fish before grilling.
- Queso Fresco
A soft, crumbly cheese, perfect for adding to dishes.
- Use: Sprinkle on tacos, quesadillas, or salads.
- Recipe: Queso Fresco Quesadillas: Fill tortillas with queso fresco and cook until golden and crispy.
- Epazote
A fragrant herb that adds a unique flavor to Mexican dishes.
- Use: Commonly used in beans and broths.
- Recipe: Frijoles con Epazote: Add a few epazote leaves while cooking beans in water.
- Pico de Gallo
A fresh blend of tomato, onion, cilantro and chili, ideal as a salsa or accompaniment.
- Use: Perfect for tacos, nachos or just to eat with tortilla chips.
- Recipe: Pico de Gallo: Mix diced tomato, onion, cilantro and lime juice.
- Chocolates and Spices
Chocolate, especially dark chocolate, is used in dishes like mole. Spices like cinnamon and cumin are also essential.
- Use: Add chocolate or spices to sauces for a deep flavor.
- Recipe: Mole Poblano: Combine cooked chicken with a sauce made of chiles, chocolate, almonds, and spices. Serve with rice.
These 10 ingredients are just the beginning of your adventure in Mexican cuisine. Daring to experiment with these recipes will allow you to bring a piece of the “Sol Azteca” to your home. Don’t hesitate to try them and adapt the flavors to your liking! Visit us or order online to enjoy our delicious dishes. Enjoy!